Then this popped through just in the nick of time:
Hi Melinda
Thank you for such a prompt reply.
I will pop the keyring in the post and return to you. The rest of the product is lovely and the girls father was delighted with his present so this issue is just a hiccup.
Regards Allison Usher, Sedgefield
You see, for every negative, I get tonnes of the lovely understanding customers, like Allison who make it all worth while!
Friday 24 June 2011
Small batch problem
So I changed the first lot of keyrings bought from a very reputable source in the UK as the opening on 2 items out of a hundred or so didn't open far enough to insert a key. They were in fact some of the most expensive on the market but were causing me 2 out of 100 problems too many as I aim for 200% customer satisfaction.
I thought I had resolved this problem by finding another supplier, slightly different design, but still a lovely mechanism and no probs with fitting keys on. Although I know on occassion they might need male muscles to unscrew at first, but that's a good thing as you don't want to be losing your keys, right?
But as silver prices have sored I am actually losing money on each keyring I sell on NOTHS in order that I clear NOTHS commission, and I was going to pull them until after the catalogue when I would be able to increase the price. But I though was doing dis-service to my customers.
All's well until 2 days ago, when I find out after 3 customers complained they're plectrum or postcard had come off the jump ring. After investigation, it transpired that my supplier had provided the incorrect strength of jump ring and a small batch sent out were not holding. As you can imagine I'm completely mortified! I have offered to replace the ring immediately.
Then I get a really negative comment via the FEEFO system, even though I have offered to fix the ring for this customer. Needless to say, I was really down this morning, slitting wrist kind, when I saw this comment. Especially as she also said the plectrum was flimsy!
Has anyone seen a real plastic plectrum? Well the ones I make, might I add, in solid .999 Fine Silver, are much larger and thicker than the real life ones, so I really can't understand why someone would say it's flimsy!
Above: One of my unfinished fine silver plectrums next to a real life plastic plectrum. Does this look flimsy to you?
Have I also mentioned my creations are not brought in from China which was mass produced on a production line with robots so they are cloned. I dedicate over 1 hour of my time to hand craft each fine silver item for each individual customer, which is quiet a lot of time in this day and age.
So I thought I would cheer myself up and check out my nice comments. I was blown away! All cheered up now, I thought I would share some with you....
I thought I had resolved this problem by finding another supplier, slightly different design, but still a lovely mechanism and no probs with fitting keys on. Although I know on occassion they might need male muscles to unscrew at first, but that's a good thing as you don't want to be losing your keys, right?
But as silver prices have sored I am actually losing money on each keyring I sell on NOTHS in order that I clear NOTHS commission, and I was going to pull them until after the catalogue when I would be able to increase the price. But I though was doing dis-service to my customers.
All's well until 2 days ago, when I find out after 3 customers complained they're plectrum or postcard had come off the jump ring. After investigation, it transpired that my supplier had provided the incorrect strength of jump ring and a small batch sent out were not holding. As you can imagine I'm completely mortified! I have offered to replace the ring immediately.
Then I get a really negative comment via the FEEFO system, even though I have offered to fix the ring for this customer. Needless to say, I was really down this morning, slitting wrist kind, when I saw this comment. Especially as she also said the plectrum was flimsy!
Has anyone seen a real plastic plectrum? Well the ones I make, might I add, in solid .999 Fine Silver, are much larger and thicker than the real life ones, so I really can't understand why someone would say it's flimsy!
Above: One of my unfinished fine silver plectrums next to a real life plastic plectrum. Does this look flimsy to you?Have I also mentioned my creations are not brought in from China which was mass produced on a production line with robots so they are cloned. I dedicate over 1 hour of my time to hand craft each fine silver item for each individual customer, which is quiet a lot of time in this day and age.
So I thought I would cheer myself up and check out my nice comments. I was blown away! All cheered up now, I thought I would share some with you....
- We required the plectrum as a gift for our best man, at short notice Melinda very kindly rushed through our order and ensured we had it on the day. It arrived in perfect condition and beautifully gift wrapped. It was a beautiful gift, well made and beautifully presented. Excellent service!!!!!
17 Jun 2011 - 19 Jun 2011
- 17 Jun 2011
i bought this as a gift for my fiancé who was THRILLED! It was so quick to arrive and was exquisitely wrapped up! Thank you!
- 15 Jun 2011The plectrum was perfect, exactly what i was hoping for and fingers crossed will be a hit! Only criticism is that the leather necklace that i chose for it to come with is not very long and think it will be too tight for my partner to wear, despite being advertised as a gift for fathers day - I contacted the customer upon hearing the length was too short and have offered to replace length of necklace with 20inch, so customer very pleased!
- 13 Apr 2011
It's a gift for my husband to be, so he hasn't received it yet... But I love it!
- 28 Feb 2011Everything worked out great with the order, and I had great personal communication with the seller. The only thing that may have been improved is the delivery - as it arrived after Valentine's Day - but that wasn't a huge inconvenience. Overall very pleased! - Customer advised late delivery was due to Royal Mail putting item in an obscure place which customer didn't find until after Valentines Day?
Monday 20 June 2011
Credits
I've been celebrating the busiest period my business has ever seen, with the lead up to Father's Day orders, and after taking a well deserved break this weekend, I can see from my forward booked sales, that it isn't stopping just yet!
It's absolutely fantastic to finally see the fruits of my labours and I'm getting stopped all the time from parents on school run when I bounce the girls off in my MBT's, what I'm so happy about. Words escape me. Recalling only February last year I was so depressed about my sales that I was re-thinking why my sorry arse was making, when no-one was buying. And on only the second attempt, I got accepted on NOTHS then there was no looking back.
Of course it's been big a learning curve on there, trying to produce new concepts that stand out from all the rest and are what people want, not to mention getting organised throughout the year to get the most from events like Valentine's Day etc. So I thought I would take this opportunity to credit those who make it all happen:
Customers: Without you, I wouldn't have a business. So, high fiving it over to you.
Photography: Oh, that will be me!
Web updates on NOTHS, melindamulcahy.com, etsy, blog: Um, well that's me too!
Graphics: Me
Marketing: Me
Concept & product development: Oooh, me again.
Crafting of jewellery: That is of course only going to be me.
Crafting of Fine Silver Gifts: me, with help sanding late into the night during busy periods by my husband. Thanks Andrew x
Tooling advancement: Andrew.
Accounting: Andrew, cause I don't do money very well.
Soldering: Me!
Collating & Packaging orders: me too.
Walking orders to post office: me & the kids with bribbary by way of ice lollies!
Lovely Post Office Lady: Lynn. Your the best!
Post office queuing during busy periods with bulk dispatches: Dan, the man with the muscles and the van - Thanks Dan x
Purchasing: Me again.
Printing: Hadyn Prior, which reminds me I need to pay his invoice, oooppps! Oh, actually he hasn't invoiced me.... Must remind him.
Cleaner to keep me sane: Magda (please don't ever leave me!)
Customer Services & enquiries: Me
General dogs body duties like making coffee: Me
Website SEO: Blaine. Well done on the top of first page of Google for handmade jewellery.
Advertising: hahahahahaha, just kidding, I don't do any!
Patience and understanding during busy periods: My wonderful girls whom "I love all the way to the moon, past the stars and beyond!"
And lastly, weekly chats with my invaluable friends and hiphop classes keep my route to discovery a humorous and meaningful one!
Thank you all.
It's absolutely fantastic to finally see the fruits of my labours and I'm getting stopped all the time from parents on school run when I bounce the girls off in my MBT's, what I'm so happy about. Words escape me. Recalling only February last year I was so depressed about my sales that I was re-thinking why my sorry arse was making, when no-one was buying. And on only the second attempt, I got accepted on NOTHS then there was no looking back.
Of course it's been big a learning curve on there, trying to produce new concepts that stand out from all the rest and are what people want, not to mention getting organised throughout the year to get the most from events like Valentine's Day etc. So I thought I would take this opportunity to credit those who make it all happen:
Customers: Without you, I wouldn't have a business. So, high fiving it over to you.
Photography: Oh, that will be me!
Web updates on NOTHS, melindamulcahy.com, etsy, blog: Um, well that's me too!
Graphics: Me
Marketing: Me
Concept & product development: Oooh, me again.
Crafting of jewellery: That is of course only going to be me.
Crafting of Fine Silver Gifts: me, with help sanding late into the night during busy periods by my husband. Thanks Andrew x
Tooling advancement: Andrew.
Accounting: Andrew, cause I don't do money very well.
Soldering: Me!
Collating & Packaging orders: me too.
Walking orders to post office: me & the kids with bribbary by way of ice lollies!
Lovely Post Office Lady: Lynn. Your the best!
Post office queuing during busy periods with bulk dispatches: Dan, the man with the muscles and the van - Thanks Dan x
Purchasing: Me again.
Printing: Hadyn Prior, which reminds me I need to pay his invoice, oooppps! Oh, actually he hasn't invoiced me.... Must remind him.
Cleaner to keep me sane: Magda (please don't ever leave me!)
Customer Services & enquiries: Me
General dogs body duties like making coffee: Me
Website SEO: Blaine. Well done on the top of first page of Google for handmade jewellery.
Advertising: hahahahahaha, just kidding, I don't do any!
Patience and understanding during busy periods: My wonderful girls whom "I love all the way to the moon, past the stars and beyond!"
And lastly, weekly chats with my invaluable friends and hiphop classes keep my route to discovery a humorous and meaningful one!
Thank you all.
Friday 10 June 2011
ramblings of truth
I absolutely can not believe the price of Fine Silver Clay has just doubled in price, literally over night and for no real reason. Nothing short of a monopoly if you ask me! There are only two companies, both Japan based, that produce this product and I have seen artisans around the world enjoy the fruits of they're clever product, but that will all change.
For this reason, and the fact NOTHS have advised I am legally held to contract concerning prices, due to fair trade (which doesn't cover my little business's needs and financial requirements to get paid) until the catalogue expires in July, so I have to hold my prices.
I have already witnessed it's victims in business falling around me. Good suppliers, now gone. Perhaps this may also deter independent artisans from working with ArtClay and PMC for the love of it, as I once did. It has taken me 2 years of developing and honing my skills to get this product to the standards I can now boast.
And it's any wonder I am in this position, when offering free delivery (which believe it or not is not accounted for in my costings) customers choose to purchase within days, even minutes of each order, to the same address, taking full advantage of "free delivery" which is totally flat-lining any possible profit. But this is just a sign of our throw-away mentality that my business has been caught up with, the down side of being part of a multi-national community of businesses that aren't makers. For this reason, I have decided to withdraw free delivery on NOTHS, although it's still free on my website, in order that I can somehow combat these massive price hikes.
Oh and I was pushed into offering "express" delivery, for no financial gain to myself, and for orders that I can not make in anything less than 48 hours, so the only thing I got out of it was a stomach ulcer! People, I am not NEXT delivery!!
I am deeply concerned about my business's future. Will my business withstand yet another financial storm? Perhaps my darkest days are just around the corner.....
Just venting, you understand! It's been a tough couple of days!
Customers can help support small and struggling businesses like mine by purchasing directly via melindamulcahy.com.
For this reason, and the fact NOTHS have advised I am legally held to contract concerning prices, due to fair trade (which doesn't cover my little business's needs and financial requirements to get paid) until the catalogue expires in July, so I have to hold my prices.
I have already witnessed it's victims in business falling around me. Good suppliers, now gone. Perhaps this may also deter independent artisans from working with ArtClay and PMC for the love of it, as I once did. It has taken me 2 years of developing and honing my skills to get this product to the standards I can now boast.
And it's any wonder I am in this position, when offering free delivery (which believe it or not is not accounted for in my costings) customers choose to purchase within days, even minutes of each order, to the same address, taking full advantage of "free delivery" which is totally flat-lining any possible profit. But this is just a sign of our throw-away mentality that my business has been caught up with, the down side of being part of a multi-national community of businesses that aren't makers. For this reason, I have decided to withdraw free delivery on NOTHS, although it's still free on my website, in order that I can somehow combat these massive price hikes.
Oh and I was pushed into offering "express" delivery, for no financial gain to myself, and for orders that I can not make in anything less than 48 hours, so the only thing I got out of it was a stomach ulcer! People, I am not NEXT delivery!!
I am deeply concerned about my business's future. Will my business withstand yet another financial storm? Perhaps my darkest days are just around the corner.....
Just venting, you understand! It's been a tough couple of days!
Customers can help support small and struggling businesses like mine by purchasing directly via melindamulcahy.com.
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Perfect - arrived on time and very original for a graduation present. thank you