My shoplifter tale was fun. A notorious "potential" shoplifter made her way to my booth and actually made a great sale from her yet some of my neighbors were warning me about her and one thought they saw her stole something from one of my shelves and put it in her bag. I alerted security and they acted fast. I did have to say I would press charges in order to nab her and search her bags. Someone else came forward and said "she" stole $100 necklace - this is from a Slipada person however decided it wasn't worth pressing charges as she didn't want to have to drive there again. This has been the pattern for 5 years - shoplifter is thought to have stolen something, no one wants to press charges, then she gets away. This time she actually didn't steal anything - the thing she put in her purse was a free sample that I encouraged her to take. So, she and her friend was left to go. I do plan on doing a topic on the blog series about this when it comes to spotting a shoplifter and what you should and shouldn't do when you suspect someone of shoplifting. So the good news was nothing was stolen and perhaps she might think twice before coming to that show again.
Of course I have been getting a lot of questions from friends, family and even customers if I would be back and Imost likely not, IF I can get into a better show. I love the handmade shows - everything I do is handmade by myself and more high end than traditional crafts/country crafts which is where my target marketing audience is. A nice added plus is that I did get to talk to a local store owner who most likely will be a new wholesale client of mine, I think more will happen once the holiday rush is over and after narrowing down some fragrance specific ideas for her area geared for tourists in the area. All in all nothing horrible to sneeze at. I also am starting to get orders from the sample tea light candles that are of some of the fragrances my larger candles and past repeat customers. Tis the Season right!
Well, I have to run - I have an order to fill for another wholesale client that is due Friday. Not enough time to find the photos from the show, but hopefully will post it via the Facebook page or something like that... Thank God my shows are over for the year now.... Ahhhh! - Michelle, By the Bay Botanicals
Comments
Always a fair and balanced perspective in your posts..