Marketing Strategies to Benefit the Customer

   Spending time in old warehouses and barns usually produces some amazing items which can offer my customers. It also yields items in quantity that I can't possible put all in the shop at one time.

     I'm very protective of my customer base and it's always my goal to give each and everyone, a personalize experience. 

     It can take extra time to insure this type of service but I think it's worth it as it gives me a business relationship with my customers.  Mutual respect is important in all types of business transaction.

    Now, because I do work so hard to communicate with my customers on a personal level, I can also utilize marketing strategies, that not only work with my inventory but benefit the customers.

   Salvagenation Super Sunday Sales happen once a week and last forty-eight hours.  These sales would be called destash sales in many other stores.  I find it so time consuming to change prices and do re-listing work that I have been using the shop rearrange feature on Etsy and spending my time contacting former customers.

   Each Saturday evening, I look in my inventory and see what items have been setting the longest and just how many items I have left to offer.  Then I decide what type of sale will serve best for not only the shop but for the customer.  I'm not going to ever be on of those business people who acts as though having a cash flow from products is shameful.  I think my customers are smart enough to know that I work to earn a living, nothing altruistic about my business as far as the consumable product.  Now that isn't to say I don't donate to charities or do good deeds, it's just not something I announce through the shop.

   Buy One Get One Free Sales, clear out old stock very fast and gives me more time to be out looking for vintage items to show customers.  I don't have to take new pictures or change prices.  I simply ask the customers to go ahead and make the purchases and then wait for a revised invoice.  I don't change prices, such as mark up items, in order to offer the sale. It's a true BOGO.

    Offering merchandise at a reduced price works best if you offer a per cent. Once again, it takes sending a revised invoice or refunding money, but it works great.  I start at 25% off and sometimes offer more.

     What has this done for me ?  It has cleared out inventory that was just setting, freeing up space for different items. It has cleared out a page or two in the shop so I can put up different stock. 

    What has this done for the customer ?  It gives them the opportunity to be the first to take advantage of a very unique sale.  We all now that most people don't read shop announcements, so the casual shopper rarely sees what I have posted.  I spend time contacting previous customers of a particular genre when the sale begins.  On the average throughout the year, a customer might get one or two notifications of a sale.  I love the thank you notes I get in return.

    Shopping on line can sometimes be a true needle in the haystack situation.  Having someone you trust let you know when items are available is a plus for any serious shopper.

    If you would like to see some of my sale emails, let me know and I'll send you a copy. Just drop a line to vanessarpope@gmail.com and I'll send you samples.