scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,448 
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 3, 2021 20:01:45 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. Don makes a really good point, and it does sound like this could be an attempt to clear out stock, perhaps because they are getting ready to close, or because they aren’t getting enough business online. That deposit would make sure that no one just skips their assigned time slot, but if the stock is limited to what no one wants, I’d be upset. For those with later time slots, there might truly be nothing left that they would want. Even if they have good stuff the first day, by the 5th day, pickings might be slim to nothing. Would there be an option to apply that deposit to an online purchase? I think I’d pass. |
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Post by joblackford on Nov 3, 2021 21:06:24 GMT
Have you considered messaging to ask for more clarification about why they're doing it this way? Maybe their response will help you decide whether to support them again in the future, even if you don't want to take the risk on this.
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Post by quinmm14 on Nov 3, 2021 21:37:18 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. Don makes a really good point, and it does sound like this could be an attempt to clear out stock, perhaps because they are getting ready to close, or because they aren’t getting enough business online. That deposit would make sure that no one just skips their assigned time slot, but if the stock is limited to what no one wants, I’d be upset. For those with later time slots, there might truly be nothing left that they would want. Even if they have good stuff the first day, by the 5th day, pickings might be slim to nothing. Would there be an option to apply that deposit to an online purchase? I think I’d pass. I agree, I'd pass as well because of the fact there may not be a lot to choose from by the last day. |
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Post by papersilly on Nov 3, 2021 22:18:48 GMT
i'd pass. first of all, if you want my business, you should be incentivizing me to come by giving a coupon or discount. second, i don't think i should have to give YOU money, or leave a deposit, for the chance to come into YOUR store. thanks no.
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Post by aj2hall on Nov 3, 2021 23:03:22 GMT
LSS are so rare now. I try to support my not so local ones. I wish I had an opportunity to help other LSS more before they closed. I would look at the $25 as an investment in a local store. If the store has a big online store, chances are you could find something to spend the $25 on. Yes, its a little bit of a risk but one I would be willing to take to help keep a LSS in business.
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Post by refugeepea on Nov 3, 2021 23:19:43 GMT
No, there really is no incentive for me. It's nice to see stuff in person, but I have so much stash, I wouldn't be concerned if an online purchase didn't work out because the color was off IRL.
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Post by amp on Nov 4, 2021 1:31:17 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. This is how I would feel...totally disrespected. I'm so sorry this happened to you.  |
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Post by janamke on Nov 4, 2021 2:11:48 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. Yeah, if that had been in the OP my answer probably would have been different. That is a crummy attitude and I wouldn’t wNt to support it. Online or in person. |
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Nov 4, 2021 6:02:39 GMT
I would not shop there.
I don't like the idea of being forced to pay a deposit to be able to shop.
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Post by CardBoxer on Nov 4, 2021 10:44:17 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. I’m confused - you were actually told that? |
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mich5481
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,750
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Post by mich5481 on Nov 4, 2021 14:00:33 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. I was about to say this - the really nice steak restaurant in my town requires a credit card on file when you make a reservation. Your card is only charged if you are a no show. I figured it was because we are a tourist destination, but it makes sense it is being done in other places. I have mixed feelings about your LSS requirements. I miss having an LSS nearby. It honestly would have depended on the store if I would have paid the $25 deposit. Honestly the thing that would have turned me off is the 1 hour time limit. I'd actually see if I could book two consecutive time slots, even if I had to pay a $50 deposit - there are some stores were I would have easily spent $50, but I like to take my time! |
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milocat
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,606
Location: 55 degrees north in Alberta, Canada
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Post by milocat on Nov 4, 2021 14:51:35 GMT
I see their point of the $25 deposit. Peoole don't show up for all kinds of appointments. Not just dentist appointments but good ones like massage or nails. Probably why so many places call, email or text you reminders the day before your appointment. They are going to go to the trouble of reserving 1 hour spots only to have "you" not show up and possibly many people. Then it isn't worth the time they are going to put in to this. There are many places that will charge you for a missed appointment or won't have you back so they are trying to guarantee you at least show up. I guess you go knowing you've committed to spending $25 and you get to see the product in person.
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Post by hop2 on Nov 6, 2021 12:52:59 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. That’s the thing. We can speculate about it all we want. But if my actual LSS owner said she needed $25 for me to shop there I’d get it to her ASAP. It is a community that I love and would miss and therefore want to support it. The hour thing bothers me a tiny bit more I have no idea if I’d be done in an hour. |
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,448
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 6, 2021 13:20:25 GMT
I can see a non-refundable deposit if you are a no show, but the limitations just sound to me like they may be going out of business and are trying to get rid of as much stock as they can at full price before announcing it.
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,615
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Post by kitbop on Nov 6, 2021 13:51:14 GMT
To to clarify:
This store is doing well. VERY well. They are not reaching for ways to stay afloat. There is lots of product to chose from, so people who shop will not be disappointed. This is a good store that I have recommended far and wide through the years.
They were always an LSS with typical hours. They should simply re-open. I would even accept appointments if they are really afraid of having too many people in the store. (As a side note: we are 88% double vaccinated here and under mask mandates. I think risk is as low as you can get). But to open for 5 days only is already disappointing. To add a reservation fee of $25 is representative of their overarching attitude towards their customers.
Their business tone in e-mails has consistently been "look what we do for you". I can't explain it - both in e-mails and in person you feel like they are doing you a favour. I was annoyed by it for years. This is an extension of that. (@cardboxer, I wasn't "told" that specifically. It's my interpretation of years of their attitude. But I think store/brand owners need to be aware of how their actions and words are interpreted by customers)
So I think this just "put the cherry on top" for me. I really do prefer their store and it's worth noting that I have HEAVILY supported them and promoted them in the past! I wouldn't tell people to avoid them - good store - and I will return if they reopen, but I'll look elsewhere first for now.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,448
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 6, 2021 19:57:24 GMT
Since you are certain that they are doing very well, then if it were me, I would personally consider going after all, in spite of their “I’m doing you a favor” attitude, but mostly so that I could see what is new and worth buying. While the attitude would bother me, if I were sure they had products that I like, I’d want to shop. However……
I have no LSS within a reasonable distance, and I miss being able to shop in person, not because of covid, but because I haven’t been to a real LSS in at least 3 years, or a convention, either.
If I had a good store that had products I liked, I’d go shop there, even under the circumstances that you mentioned, at least as long as I could get an early spot.
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,615
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Post by kitbop on Nov 7, 2021 1:06:38 GMT
I have no LSS within a reasonable distance, and I miss being able to shop in person, not because of covid, but because I haven’t been to a real LSS in at least 3 years, or a convention, either. If I had a good store that had products I liked, I’d go shop there, even under the circumstances that you mentioned, at least as long as I could get an early spot. I do forget that I’m spoiled to have two decent LSSes within 30 minutes! Since I’ve been able to go in person to the other one, and since my first choice has an online store so I’ve been doing curb side pickup, I have no huge pressing desire to go in and see products that I have seen online already. I’m sensing I’m forgetting how lucky I am…  |
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Post by ExpatBackHome on Nov 7, 2021 12:38:18 GMT
If you know you could spend $25 there and be happy with your purchases, I would do it.
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Post by Citygirl on Nov 7, 2021 13:51:04 GMT
I Wish I had a LSS to complain about. I would go and buy a lot.
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cbscrapper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,480
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Post by cbscrapper on Nov 14, 2021 6:22:49 GMT
If I could put it toward a gift card if I didn’t spend the entire $25 (but who am I kidding), then I’d have no problem doing this, especially during the pandemic if this limited the number of people in the store at the same time. We are still in a pandemic, and even the vaxxed can get and spread covid. I still limit the number of places I go in and the number of people I’m around.
Not sure if the hour time slot is just for you, or if they are letting multiple during one time slot, but here’s some thoughts. For that $25, assuming standard markup, the store is making $12.50. Depending on your state, that barely covers minimum wage for a worker for an hour, assuming there is only one person working. That doesn’t include any of the other overhead for opening the store (utilities, etc). So, $25 may be the break even point for the cost of opening the doors.
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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. 
