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Post by alyssam on Dec 24, 2018 15:55:26 GMT
I'm wondering... Would this be a good time to start a kit club? What types of things do you look for in a kit?
One of the things I've been contemplating for a while is a club with 2 options- one with no pink etc, more suitable for boy layouts etc, and the other more... Well... Pretty. I think if memory serves there was a club several years ago that did something similar.
Is it too risky a business investment?? Im wondering if clubs are closing due to owners moving on, or truly a lack of subscriptions called other things.
What say the peas?
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msliz
Drama Llama
The Procrastinator
Posts: 6,419
Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
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Post by msliz on Dec 24, 2018 17:17:39 GMT
I would never invest in a business that relies on anyone's fun-money. Needs over wants, especially in a down economy. Don't do it. Sorry to put it so bluntly.  |
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Post by scrappyem on Dec 24, 2018 17:40:07 GMT
It does look like there's room right now with so many kits 12x12 kits disappearing but if kit clubs were booming they wouldn't be disappearing. I'd want some solid industry numbers before investing. Consider joining CHA (or whatever it's called now) so you can get your hands on hard industry data. My other advice is you HAVE to have a marketing budget. I see so many businesses fail, with great product and/or service because they failed to understand how much time, effort, and money it takes to get the business off the ground. You have to set aside a good size pile of cash for marketing budget, especially in the beginning. Word of mouth, design teams, etc are only part of it. If nobody knows about your business, you can't be successful. Instagram alone isn't going to pay your mortgage. Just my 2 cents. If you go for it, please let us know so we can help support!
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Post by alyssam on Dec 24, 2018 18:24:56 GMT
I would never invest in a business that relies on anyone's fun-money. Needs over wants, especially in a down economy. Don't do it. Sorry to put it so bluntly. True. However, this is a fairly minimal investment comparatively. DH and I has quite a bit of entrepreneurial experience and currently operate a consignment business so we understand risk/reward. Obviously any business can fail for a wide variety of reasons. Thanks for your feedback. |
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Post by alyssam on Dec 24, 2018 18:25:46 GMT
It does look like there's room right now with so many kits 12x12 kits disappearing but if kit clubs were booming they wouldn't be disappearing. I'd want some solid industry numbers before investing. Consider joining CHA (or whatever it's called now) so you can get your hands on hard industry data. My other advice is you HAVE to have a marketing budget. I see so many businesses fail, with great product and/or service because they failed to understand how much time, effort, and money it takes to get the business off the ground. You have to set aside a good size pile of cash for marketing budget, especially in the beginning. Word of mouth, design teams, etc are only part of it. If nobody knows about your business, you can't be successful. Instagram alone isn't going to pay your mortgage. Just my 2 cents. If you go for it, please let us know so we can help support! Yes, so true. Marketing is huge, and is a significant part of our consignment business as well. Thanks for the support. ❤️ |
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caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,437 
Location: So Cal
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Post by caangel on Dec 24, 2018 18:26:36 GMT
Look into shipping costs for 12*12. It is only going up. 🙁
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Post by alyssam on Dec 24, 2018 19:02:15 GMT
Look into shipping costs for 12*12. It is only going up. 🙁 Another good point |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 25, 2024 5:58:59 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2019 22:50:16 GMT
No advice, but waving HI, Alyssa!
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Post by dasmith2 on Jan 12, 2019 22:56:19 GMT
I think a lot of scrappers are still interested in kit clubs, there are so few available. However, I’d be concerned with dealing with manufacturers etc.. , they don’t seem to appreciate small business (ahem... American Crafts). It really depends if you can offer something unique that appeals to a lot of scrappers at a good price. Of course great customer service as well. And lastly, reasonably priced shipping. Good luck and be sure to let us know if it’s a go!!
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camcas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,966
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Post by camcas on Jan 13, 2019 3:34:54 GMT
I am in Australia so cost of international shipping is the make or break for me
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Post by angel97701 on Jan 13, 2019 3:53:11 GMT
I do like your concept, one kit for scrappers who have mostly boys and one that is more pretty as you put it. I've not been much of a kit subscriber mostly because I own enough product already to scrap for several decades! LOL!
But with that said many scrappers who started after the big LSS boom and now that that they are mostly closed, there is room for kit clubs. Ones that mix and match products or lines from companies or more that one company. All the pieces to do several layouts from one kit ie background cardstock solid or patterned, embellishments, title stickers or stamp set, etc. Ones that are geared to the different seasons may work as well?
Creativation is this weekend Jan 17-21 and would be an ideal place to make contact with many companies in a short amount of time. I was able to go when I was on a DT for an ink company. It was a blast.
Good luck if you decide to go forward!
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Post by scrapaddict702 on Jan 13, 2019 4:25:40 GMT
Rather than just concept, I would definitely invest a good amount of time testing the same designs with different print companies. I really don't like glossy cardstock or PL cards. They are hard to write on and I don't like how the look/feel compared to matte finishes. The cheap SC cards also didn't print with a crispness, so the paper quality in terms of how things look when printed on them is also a huge factor. Then there is the ink, too. Some companies feature soy ink and it pulls off (or at least that is my experience). I have this issue with Kelly Purkey's cards...once you stick something down (or drop something on your way to put it somewhere else) that has adhesive on the back of it and pull it back up, the ink comes with it. That is a HUGE turn off.
I know that's not answering your question about types of products, but I am picky about the paper/card material. I was able to use the less than crisply printed cards from Studio Calico okay enough, but the really glossy cards that I've gotten from other clubs are still sitting in my stash unused. I know how much people raved about Scraptastics cards, but the gloss...ugh, I just hated it. Studio 29 Designs...same thing. My perfect PL card is Elle's Studio (and it's not just because I'm a fangirl of her designs, either...I have some of her product from a few years ago and it's not anywhere near as nice as the stuff she's been using the past few years).
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Post by wendifful on Jan 13, 2019 4:36:15 GMT
Rather than just concept, I would definitely invest a good amount of time testing the same designs with different print companies. I really don't like glossy cardstock or PL cards. They are hard to write on and I don't like how the look/feel compared to matte finishes. The cheap SC cards also didn't print with a crispness, so the paper quality in terms of how things look when printed on them is also a huge factor. Then there is the ink, too. Some companies feature soy ink and it pulls off (or at least that is my experience). I have this issue with Kelly Purkey's cards...once you stick something down (or drop something on your way to put it somewhere else) that has adhesive on the back of it and pull it back up, the ink comes with it. That is a HUGE turn off. I know that's not answering your question about types of products, but I am picky about the paper/card material. I was able to use the less than crisply printed cards from Studio Calico okay enough, but the really glossy cards that I've gotten from other clubs are still sitting in my stash unused. I know how much people raved about Scraptastics cards, but the gloss...ugh, I just hated it. Studio 29 Designs...same thing. My perfect PL card is Elle's Studio (and it's not just because I'm a fangirl of her designs, either...I have some of her product from a few years ago and it's not anywhere near as nice as the stuff she's been using the past few years). This is a great point! Paper choice and printing methods are SO important. |
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Post by katlady on Jan 13, 2019 6:36:08 GMT
Don’t forget you will need promotion - a design team to make layouts for you and promote them on their social media/blogs. And a DT also means you will have to send them kits for free to work with. Promotion is so important but not easy.
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Post by alyssam on Jan 13, 2019 14:58:46 GMT
No advice, but waving HI, Alyssa! Hi Beth! Still have green furniture in your craft room? 😀 |
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Post by alyssam on Jan 13, 2019 15:00:06 GMT
I am in Australia so cost of international shipping is the make or break for me What rates are reasonable for a kit? I used to ship to Australia (2012) and it seemed like $27-32 USD was the cost. |
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Post by alyssam on Jan 13, 2019 15:03:10 GMT
Don’t forget you will need promotion - a design team to make layouts for you and promote them on their social media/blogs. And a DT also means you will have to send them kits for free to work with. Promotion is so important but not easy. So true. 😀 |
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Post by alyssam on Jan 13, 2019 15:04:39 GMT
Thanks for the feedback everyone, keep it coming! Our consignment business has a big sale coming in March and if that does well I will be seriously looking into this even more (time and capital will then be available!)
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craftymom101
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,604
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Post by craftymom101 on Jan 13, 2019 19:08:58 GMT
alyssam I'm looking to replace my Studio Calico 12x12 kit with a new kit club... I'm definitely interested if you open a new kit club business! I'm looking for excellent customer service, good communication with subscribers, products that coordinate but aren't too matchy-matchy, and an inspiring DT.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 25, 2024 5:58:59 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2019 21:42:48 GMT
No advice, but waving HI, Alyssa! Hi Beth! Still have green furniture in your craft room? 😀 Yes, I do! <3 It is still well loved. We are looking at moving this year and there is no question that I want to take those pieces with me.  |
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camcas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,966
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Post by camcas on Jan 14, 2019 1:38:52 GMT
I am in Australia so cost of international shipping is the make or break for me What rates are reasonable for a kit? I used to ship to Australia (2012) and it seemed like $27-32 USD was the cost. So that is almost the price of the kit With the current exchange rate that make is unaffordable ‘I would pay up to $20 USD for a kit but more than that is not affordable i realise you are not in charge of postal rates but just giving you the feedback |
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kelly8875
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,390
Location: Lost in my supplies...
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Post by kelly8875 on Jan 14, 2019 4:00:25 GMT
I’m in a kit club, and the thing I like most is I get a choice. There’s the default kit, an alternative or if I really don’t like either of those I can pick from their stock of previous kits.
Also, they don’t push certain companies. It’s random and stuff just looks cute together.
I pay $23/month for 6 pages, and free shipping.
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Post by alyssam on Jan 14, 2019 13:14:45 GMT
Hi Beth! Still have green furniture in your craft room? 😀 Yes, I do! <3 It is still well loved. We are looking at moving this year and there is no question that I want to take those pieces with me. Yay! 😀 |
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Post by alyssam on Jan 14, 2019 13:15:43 GMT
I’m in a kit club, and the thing I like most is I get a choice. There’s the default kit, an alternative or if I really don’t like either of those I can pick from their stock of previous kits. Also, they don’t push certain companies. It’s random and stuff just looks cute together. I pay $23/month for 6 pages, and free shipping. Interesting! Thanks for the feedback! I feel like there used to be a kit club that let you choose between two every month too .. but the name escapes me |
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Post by alyssam on Jan 14, 2019 13:17:26 GMT
What rates are reasonable for a kit? I used to ship to Australia (2012) and it seemed like $27-32 USD was the cost. So that is almost the price of the kit With the current exchange rate that make is unaffordable ‘I would pay up to $20 USD for a kit but more than that is not affordable i realise you are not in charge of postal rates but just giving you the feedback Thanks! I will look into this more. Perhaps there is a bulk rate or another carrier that is cheaper. |
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Post by anniefb on Jan 14, 2019 23:40:50 GMT
So that is almost the price of the kit With the current exchange rate that make is unaffordable ‘I would pay up to $20 USD for a kit but more than that is not affordable i realise you are not in charge of postal rates but just giving you the feedback Thanks! I will look into this more. Perhaps there is a bulk rate or another carrier that is cheaper. I agree with camcas that about $20 shipping is top of budget for me. That's why I quit Cocoa Daisy because the international shipping for the 12x12 kit went up to $30 (basically the same price as the kit). That made the total kit cost for me NZ$87 per month, which is a huge chunk of my craft budget and just not doable every month. Hip Kit lets internationals choose monthly or bi-monthly shipping to save on costs. Monthly is $19.95 and bi-monthly $13.95 per month. To me that's reasonable. Might be worth investigating? |
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Post by dasmith2 on Jan 15, 2019 0:06:44 GMT
I’m in a kit club, and the thing I like most is I get a choice. There’s the default kit, an alternative or if I really don’t like either of those I can pick from their stock of previous kits. Also, they don’t push certain companies. It’s random and stuff just looks cute together. I pay $23/month for 6 pages, and free shipping. Which kit club is this? |
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Post by alyssam on Jan 15, 2019 0:16:16 GMT
Thanks! I will look into this more. Perhaps there is a bulk rate or another carrier that is cheaper. I agree with camcas that about $20 shipping is top of budget for me. That's why I quit Cocoa Daisy because the international shipping for the 12x12 kit went up to $30 (basically the same price as the kit). That made the total kit cost for me NZ$87 per month, which is a huge chunk of my craft budget and just not doable every month. Hip Kit lets internationals choose monthly or bi-monthly shipping to save on costs. Monthly is $19.95 and bi-monthly $13.95 per month. To me that's reasonable. Might be worth investigating? I like that alternate month shipping idea. I was also thinking of discounted shipping at my cost if add-ons or other items were purchased to offset it. |
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julie5
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,611
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Post by julie5 on Jan 15, 2019 1:57:45 GMT
I definitely believe the market can support another kit club, especially with others downsizing their offerings. With internationals being left out due to shipping costs, there’s a market for well crafted kits if you can get a reasonable shipping cost.
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kelly8875
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,390
Location: Lost in my supplies...
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Post by kelly8875 on Jan 15, 2019 13:15:31 GMT
I’m in a kit club, and the thing I like most is I get a choice. There’s the default kit, an alternative or if I really don’t like either of those I can pick from their stock of previous kits. Also, they don’t push certain companies. It’s random and stuff just looks cute together. I pay $23/month for 6 pages, and free shipping. Which kit club is this? gototreasurebox.com It’s not necessarily the most modern, but I’ve enjoyed putting the kits together and adjusting the layouts to my own style. All the materials are included, and plenty of papers to mat photos. I also like choosing some of the older kits to help fill in some of my gaps in time I haven’t done, now that my kids are older teens. |
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