Meeting With A Store Owner - Scared!

[Pennypower]

Just a little update on how the meeting went. It went very well. He really liked my stuff. However he's concerned about whether or not he can afford my wholesale cost, due to the markup. Handmade leather goods might not fit the pricing of his store. I think he's going to start with a small order and just see if it sells. He's going to let me know.

It's pretty much exactly how I expected it to go. We'll see.

[kwelna]

My only piece of advice is to stick to your guns on your price. Delivering a small order to see if they will sell is an excelllent route. Also, you can offer to swing by weekly\monthly and replenish stock. ( Kind of like they do in the bread isle at a store) Then monitor waht is selling, if one style\color seems to not sell well, pull it and replace it with one that does. The owner is looking for the number of "turns" he can get ( Usually per square foot or per display). This means a bit more work on your end, but it is a value added service that will set you apart.

[Pennypower]

Replenishing stock, something I hadn't thought about :-)

[kwelna]

Alternativly, If you have a good and trusting relationship with the store owner, You can set up a display ( Free of charge) and then replenish as it sells. Basically you are selling on consignment with the owner taking a cut. I will say that this usually tends to end in bad feelings as at some pooint the account becomes "Off". either due to shoplifting, employee theft etc. Then all of a sudden you are replacing items but not getting paid for the missing ones. You need to agree on who is responsible for shortages before you start. This is an alternative, not the best way to go about things, but it can work.

[Pennypower]

The idea of consignment makes me really nervous, but I'm open to it :-)

[TXAG]

Alternativly, If you have a good and trusting relationship with the store owner, You can set up a display ( Free of charge) and then replenish as it sells. Basically you are selling on consignment with the owner taking a cut. I will say that this usually tends to end in bad feelings as at some pooint the account becomes "Off". either due to shoplifting, employee theft etc. Then all of a sudden you are replacing items but not getting paid for the missing ones. You need to agree on who is responsible for shortages before you start. This is an alternative, not the best way to go about things, but it can work.

All those reasons you listed are why I personally will never do consignment. I have way too much stress in my life already without having to worry about my stuff going "missing" because the owner or one of their employees decided they want it or from customers stealing it.

When I've placed my items with retailers before, I insist they buy them outright. I find that they are much more attentive with what happens to their stock that way...and if they aren't, then it's their own loss -- not mine.

[kwelna]

I do agree, it is a less than ideal but a viable alternative to get exposure.....that being said youare probably better off going to craft shows and other such events

[flintlock]

Buy them cheaper? You mean like the $12 Chinese belt I got from Walmart that lasted less than 6 months? Yes, they can get them cheaper.

Go for it! I paid off 90K in medical debt just short of two years expanding way more into wholesale custom work and awards as a side deal. Learn from ,my mistakes. Be reasonable to yourself with lead times. It is no fun to watch the sun come up and pack off to work. Price to be fair to yourself. You have to figure wholesale pricing is less than retail, but bigger numbers of pieces.You still have to do them one at a time. Know your costs - down cold. Don't let the tail wag the dog. If they can get it cheaper, let them. Sellers can always find a cheaper source. Figure out how you are going to handle the situation when his retail customer contact you directly and wants to buy from you - circumnavigating the retailer and trying to buy from you cheaper. Quick thoughts off the top of my head.