I have been making calls to flower shops but they all say they have got their own range already... My cards are selling very well at one shop already so I'm ready to expand. Any ideas?
Your advice would be much appreciated.
How can I get flower shops to buy my hand crafted greetings cards?
Hello Liz. These are tough times, have you ever offered to leave a collection of greeting cards on consignment? Leave your cards at a selection of shops and then return periodically, cards which are sold are paid for - you then have the option of either leaving the remaining cards or taking them back - you should also replace the sold cards with identical cards already sold. Leaving merchandise on consignment is a great idea because it avoids the initial investment on behalf of the shop owner and lets be honest your creations have a better chance of being sold if they're on display rather than if they're stored in a box somewhere waiting to be bought. Good luck and I sure hope you sell sell sell!!
Reply:You need to set up an attractive display of your cards. That means you wil have to invest in some small displays - look on internet under card displays. Then you go into each store PERSONALLY so you can present your display and speak 1-1 to owner. Try to go in early in am before they get busy and definately long before a holiday. Show a few cards and tell them that they are selling well in XYZ store and you would like to provide them with the opportunity to offer the cards also.
REMEMBER- everyone wants to be unique. If you offered same cards to competetion a block down the street, then this store won't be interested. Offer to provide unique cards for them (sure there will be some duplicates but for the most part - they get unique cards). You can duplicate in another town, or on opposite sides of town, but not in same area - get it?
Next - the $ part. You will have a much higher chance of them saying yes if you put the card display in the store on consignment. That way the store has no $outlay or risk to try your cards. Be sure you know exactly how many cards are there. Then go by on a weekly or monthly basis and refresh the display (depending on need). At that point, charge them for what they sold. This is a classic method of selling in a retail store and is very successful for small vendors. Most of the items in a convenience store are sold this way.
If they still say no or seem unsure, offer a few free samples to try. They key is to offer the store no/low risk to try your product. If your cards are good, they will sell themselves and the rest of the issues will dissolve.
ALso, you should consider event planners and such who make use of cards - small gift shops, baby stores, hospital gift shops, etc. Be creative! Good luck
Reply:send samples of the cards yourself to the identified shops and ask them to try it for a week or two. if it does not sell you will go back for it. I am sure by the end of the week the card will be sold.
