kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,615 
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Post by kitbop on Nov 2, 2021 1:13:07 GMT
I have 2 LSS's within 30 minutes of me. One was always my favourite, and I did try to give them my business when I could, even if it cost me more than online shopping.
They closed for covid, but maintained a good online business - actually doing MORE business than before.
They decided NOT to reopen for in-person business since the closures because of the risks, but, honestly, more because they were doing well online.
The other store (that I very rarely visited before covid) reopened for in-person shopping whenever they were allowed during this year of shut downs. I really appreciated this, and starting going there a bit to support them. They are also a little cheaper than my primary store.
Today, I got notice that my preferred store has decided to do in-person shopping for the first time since March 2020, for FIVE days in November. You have to sign up for a ONE HOUR time slot. And it's a $25 "deposit" which is non refundable...will be applied to purchases that day.
How does that make you feel as shoppers?
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jediannie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,081
Jun 30, 2014 3:19:06 GMT
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Post by jediannie on Nov 2, 2021 1:42:58 GMT
I'd pass. It's not worth $25 for me to be able to shop for an hour.
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Post by janamke on Nov 2, 2021 2:09:51 GMT
I would absolutely do this. Spending $25 on scrapbook supplies is very easy to do. And there is nothing like seeing supplies in person.
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Post by mom on Nov 2, 2021 2:11:17 GMT
Hard pass for me. I don’t like feeling like I’m being forced to spend money on things I don’t want or lose my deposit.
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Post by travelscrapper2 on Nov 2, 2021 2:22:27 GMT
I'm very selective with my purchases now, but what about checking their online store before deciding. If I knew they had more than $25 worth of goodies that I wanted I would probably do it. If I couldn't find that much I wanted onlin I would pass.
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PaperAngel
Prolific Pea
Posts: 7,980
Jun 27, 2014 23:04:06 GMT
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Post by PaperAngel on Nov 2, 2021 2:32:50 GMT
Hard pass for me. I don’t like feeling like I’m being forced to spend money on things I don’t want or lose my deposit. Same, especially in addition to the one hour shopping limit & a nearby competitor without a $25 (non-refundable) entry fee & cheaper prices! |
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Chinagirl828
Drama Llama
Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 6,679
Jun 28, 2014 6:28:53 GMT
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Post by Chinagirl828 on Nov 2, 2021 3:46:18 GMT
I'd be inclined to pass as well, for the same reasons others have given. I really don't like the idea of having to pay a deposit just to be able to shop there.
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Post by grammadee on Nov 2, 2021 3:57:28 GMT
Depends on why it WAS your preferred store. Do they carry brands or supplies you like? Get stuff sooner than the other store? Or sell older lines that are not available many places?
If your "normal" visit to a LSS adds up to $25 or more, go for it. Get in there for the hour, breathe in the atmosphere. Put your hands on the papers. Check out the new companies they are carrying that you didn't see before. Ask for demo's of media you haven't used. I don't think I have ever walked out of a LSS having spent less than $25, so I would probably go.
I love to see thing IRL, so I try to keep the LSS in business. If this is a success, will they continue to host events like this?
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Elsabelle
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,687
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Post by Elsabelle on Nov 2, 2021 5:02:24 GMT
I’d pass. I wouldn’t like the time limit or the deposit. If I haven’t shopped in a while I could easily spend a lot but there are times when I’m stacked on recent purchases and might have a hard time spending $25 because I’ve already either bought or passed on everything I’m seeing. I’m not the kind of shopper who can always find something to buy.
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,615
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Post by kitbop on Nov 2, 2021 11:34:22 GMT
Hearing some pea opinions that it wouldn't be a big deal me feel a little more relaxed about this shopping policy. I was already annoyed that they hadn't opened when businesses were allowed to around here, but had faith that they would eventually reopen. But to be told that shopping there is a privilege and I have to spend at least $25? NOPE. I always DO spend $25. That's not the issue  It's their "we're doing you a favor by opening for a whole 5 days" attitude. Gonna take my business elsewhere. I've always championed this store before but now it's just another online store. |
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Nov 2, 2021 11:56:02 GMT
I'd pass. It's not worth $25 for me to be able to shop for an hour. Ditto. They must really think they are something special. |
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Post by babylou on Nov 2, 2021 13:01:43 GMT
The hour for me is barely enough time to look around, much less make decisions and buy stuff. I like to browse, compare, touch stuff, and take it all in. I would feel rushed and disappointed that I couldn't see it all! I say support the other store that chose to stay open or be open, when they could.
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Post by kmage on Nov 2, 2021 14:10:32 GMT
It's their "we're doing you a favor by opening for a whole 5 days" attitude. Gonna take my business elsewhere. I've always championed this store before but now it's just another online store. I am just wondering if they are doing this for Shop Small Week? I thought that was a US thing, but maybe Canada too? We have a bunch of local stores that are doing this, and some are opening just for that week. I would not like the 25.00 minimum too much, but it might be worth it if it could guarantee I was like one of 3 in the store that hour. I guess it depends on what made you like that store to begin with. Could you talk to the owner about being flexible with the time limit, or are they typically very busy? For me, if they other store carries what this one does, I probably would not bother with my old store. The minimum doesn't bug me as much as the time limit. What I am cranky about is that my store started closing at 4pm. They are almost 45 min away from me, and with those hours, I have to take work off to shop. This is what my (sort of) LSS is offering: It's Shop Small Week!
#shopsmall
We will have special markdowns on popular products the week of November 22nd including:
Tools & Die Cut Machines
Select Stencils & Embossing Folders
Select 6x6 paper pads
Select Collection Kits
Washi Tape
Select Stamps & Dies
Echo Park Traveler Notebooks & Inserts
Low Price on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White & Natural White 80# & 110# paper
*PLUS* 10 different door prizes that you can sign up for the entire week. The prizes include Anchor Paper Express Gift Cards & various product giveaways from our favorite vendors!
Drawings will be held on Monday, November 29th - 1 entry per visit & 1 prize per customer.
Our store hours this week are:
Monday-Wednesday: 7:30 am to 4:00pm
Thursday-Friday: CLOSED
Satuday: 10:00am to 4:00pm[/i] |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 15, 2024 17:43:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2021 15:39:32 GMT
My take on it, as a store owner, is that they need the income and are trying whatever they think will make that happen. At some point, you start throwing as much as you can against the wall in hopes that something will stick.
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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 Nov 2, 2021 17:25:36 GMT
I'm very selective with my purchases now, but what about checking their online store before deciding. If I knew they had more than $25 worth of goodies that I wanted I would probably do it. If I couldn't find that much I wanted onlin I would pass. This makes so much sense. Look online to decide what you'll spend your $25 on, and then enjoy your hour browsing the rest of the stock. |
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Post by julieinsweden on Nov 2, 2021 18:39:45 GMT
I understand LLS trying things to survive in the day and age. The booking an hour slot would be fine. But the $25 deposit would be the kicker. It means that I would only go when I had a fairly long shopping list of things that I know they have in stock. Which defy the point because I would shop less. If it were $10 it would be less of a deal breaker.
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Post by CardBoxer on Nov 2, 2021 19:05:05 GMT
I’d be fine with everything except the deposit.
The LSS closest to me closed for a long time and then added curbside pick-up only. Down the road she scheduled appointments only for one-hour slots for a couple people at a time. Masking was required - masks given to those who didn’t have one. Then she reopened; masks are still required, classes are limited in size. Unlike the LSS above, she does no on-line business and gives extremely generous discounts.
I actually think more highly of owners who go beyond what is mandated. Mandates can be well thought out or not, and even with the best intentions, there’s intense pressure to lift them because of the desperation of business owners trying stay in business and provide jobs. Some states lifted them much earlier than others.
If a small business owner puts safety before profits, I want to support them. (In her case a family member is older and a child is high risk. I’m high risk too.)
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vexedangel
Full Member
Posts: 401
Nov 4, 2018 20:14:04 GMT
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Post by vexedangel on Nov 2, 2021 20:33:44 GMT
I would be ok with it if it were a special store for me, or heck, practically any store nowadays. I would have a hard time "scheduling" when to go. And how it was presented would probably affect my response/attitude towards it all.
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Post by mom on Nov 2, 2021 21:39:02 GMT
The arbitrary amount set of $25 just rubs me wrong. What if you go in there one the last day they are open and all the 'good' stuff is gone? Sucks to be you? Yeah. Thats not gonna work for me.
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Post by questioning on Nov 2, 2021 21:39:07 GMT
I've enjoyed reading the responses. I wish we had a decent LSS so i could ponder this problem for real. Unfortunately the idea of a $25 deposit reminds me of in-the-club behavior some stores practiced, and it probably led to their demise.
@cardboxer your store sounds like a good one to support.
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Post by hop2 on Nov 2, 2021 22:53:41 GMT
The hour for me is barely enough time to look around, much less make decisions and buy stuff. I like to browse, compare, touch stuff, and take it all in. I would feel rushed and disappointed that I couldn't see it all! I say support the other store that chose to stay open or be open, when they could. I take longer than an hour to online shop many times. Lol No telling how long I need in the LSS, could be 15 mins because I know what came in from a social media post OR could be 2 hours because I want to browse paper |
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Post by tampascrapper on Nov 3, 2021 0:41:34 GMT
I would pass and continue to support the business that is open for in person shopping.
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Post by cmpeter on Nov 3, 2021 2:21:13 GMT
If it was my local LSS, I would have no problem with it and would be happy to support them as they opened back up. I would hate for them to close permanently and could always stock up on adhesives or cardstock if needed.
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Post by don on Nov 3, 2021 2:50:54 GMT
I think they want to have you locked in at $25 to buy product left unsold by the on-line trade. At least they'll get rid of $10 of stock, or whatever their mark-up is.
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Post by cupcakepeddler on Nov 3, 2021 3:06:08 GMT
Depends on why it WAS your preferred store. For me this is the key. I up until recently had two LSS within a 20 minute drive from my home, I would hands down always choose the store that was further away for a few different reasons. They have a more diverse range and are less one style focused, are cheaper, have sales, the classes are more varied and the staff despite two different owners have always been so much nicer and welcoming. I don't necessarily like the idea of the deposit but if it was a store that fit my shopping choices better and it could lead to more days like that or them opening again I would likely do it. They could have done a free ticket system if they were unsure of what the demand would be like and if it was worth there time to open. |
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Post by 950nancy on Nov 3, 2021 3:36:07 GMT
On March 14th, 2020, I drove to my LSS (we only have one in town) and bought a $300 gift card with cash. When the owner asked who it was for, I said myself. I told her I didn't know how long this pandemic would be, but I wanted to let her know I supported her and knew things would be rough. A week later, I got the sweetest handmade card and note thanking me for thinking of her. The owner has been really good about doing Tuesday night lives on FB and many people who don't want to go in a store will purchase by leaving messages on her FB page next to the items and quantity. It's a lot of extra work for her, but she is getting by. Her hours are limited to about 4 hours a day open 6 days a week. A $25 deposit wouldn't bother me. For me, it is all about supporting the stores I want around when this whole pandemic is over.
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Chinagirl828
Drama Llama
Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 6,679
Jun 28, 2014 6:28:53 GMT
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Post by Chinagirl828 on Nov 3, 2021 6:49:37 GMT
Coming back to add I totally understand why they might want the deposit, as a way to make sure people are turning up when they are booked in. Pubs here did this same thing when we came out of our big lockdown last year as a way to avoid no shows. I could easily spend $25 in my favourite store, but I still don't like it, and it would make me less willing to go.
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Post by CardBoxer on Nov 3, 2021 11:08:47 GMT
Changing my vote to being fine with the $25. Thinking theoretically it bothers me. Thinking specifically of the generous hearted owner of my LSS, if it would help her, I’d be all in.
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pancakes
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,002
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Post by pancakes on Nov 3, 2021 11:42:00 GMT
Throwing an alternate perspective in: I don’t have the same visceral reaction to the $25 upfront reservation fee that everyone else seems to.
Here, there are quite a few restaurants, even pre-pandemic, that required $10-25 deposits at the time of reservation to be returned upon arrival or put toward the cost of your meal. These restaurants were mostly using Tock to handle their reservations.
The reason they did this was because without any skin in the game, a lot of people would make a reservation and then just not show up. They wouldn’t even call to cancel their reservation, resulting in a lost opportunity for not just the business but also an actually interested customer who would’ve taken the time slot.
I don’t see this is as any different.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 15, 2024 17:43:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2021 11:45:39 GMT
I'm not crazy about the $25 non-refundable deposit. If they would have given a gift certificate that was redeemable for a follow-up or online purchase, I think that would have been a lot more palatable for me. If it were truly my preferred store, which would probably take knowing the owners a bit, I'd probably do the non-refundable deposit to support them.
It's too bad they didn't have a staff member that could keep track of how many shoppers there are and have a line to allow more in as shoppers leave. This would be a lot more efficient for shoppers that need more or less than an hour. Not that anyone wants to stand in line, although that's been pretty typical in a number of shops in our area and I expect will be really common for holiday shopping.
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It's their "we're doing you a favor by opening for a whole 5 days" attitude. Gonna take my business elsewhere. I've always championed this store before but now it's just another online store. 
