Just What I Need - Another Problem

[Smitty37]

I have another problem....The storefront that I use for Smitty's Pen Works just informed me that they are ceasing operations as of February 1st 2015 (just in time for the birthday bash).

This gives me only a few options:

1) Close up shop altogether and either sell out or sell off inventory.
2) Change my mode of operation entirely to an as yet unknown mode.
3) Get a new ecommerce web site and move the store - I own the domain name for my store.

By February 1st I will be 77 years old and I do have some heart issues, I also have no one to take over the store if I assume the horizontal or become unable to perform the work.

I guess what I need is a little help making up my mind what to do....If I decide 2 or 3 I'll need some help doing it.

Any suggestions and/or advice is welcome and you don't have to hold back if you think I should hang up my spikes and stand the bat in a corner of the closet....I mignt agree with you.

 

[sbell111]

You do what you think is best.

That being said, I think that what you do (and have done) for this community is invaluable. Regardless of what you decide, if I can help you out in any way, let me know.

 

[southernclay]

That's not a fun piece of news to get handed to you. Best advice I can give you is pray about it and you'll be guided along. If I put myself in your shoes and I could afford any of the decisions you laid out....I would do the one that made me the happiest. So if running the business is what makes you happy then easy choice.

Whatever road you go down we'll be good as long as you keep hanging out here. Don't know that I can help much but if I can please let me know.

 

[stonepecker]

No way do I believe that you should quit.
Find someone that is interested in learning the business from you. Give him one year of help and then sell to him. Let him buy it over a few years and see the business continue.

Your knowledge is to important to loose. Pass it on and help someone to keep the store going. There has to be a turner in your area willing to learn and take over.

Whatever you decide........I wish you the best always.
Wayne

 

[Smitty37]

That's not a fun piece of news to get handed to you. Best advice I can give you is pray about it and you'll be guided along. If I put myself in your shoes and I could afford any of the decisions you laid out....I would do the one that made me the happiest. So if running the business is what makes you happy then easy choice.

Whatever road you go down we'll be good as long as you keep hanging out here. Don't know that I can help much but if I can please let me know.

My firm belief is that the Lord provides and in my life I can think of a lot of times where prayer has provided an answer.

 

[Dan Masshardt]

How much of your business is from customers not on iap?

That would effect my choice of what direction to take for future selling.

And the question of how much you enjoy doing what you do.

 

[duncsuss]

Sorry to hear they threw this at you. At least they gave you decent notice, it means you can consider your options and (I hope) plan a way forward rather than having it drop on you suddenly.

 

[Smitty37]

How much of your business is from customers not on iap?

That would effect my choice of what direction to take for future selling.

And the question of how much you enjoy doing what you do.

Relatively few of my customers are not IAP - perhaps 20% - and that is intentional, it's why I offer IAP members who join Smitty's Club lower prices than non-members and make membership cheap.

 

[Dan Masshardt]

Maybe one option would be to keep sales going through iap directly and offering an additional simple sales outlet like eBay.

Not necessarily suggesting it but could be an option.

 

[Smitty37]

Maybe one option would be to keep sales going through iap directly and offering an additional simple sales outlet like eBay.

Not necessarily suggesting it but could be an option.

I think ordering billing and a papertrail becomes a large problem, I have given this some thought in the past.

 

[ed4copies]

As long as your customers are paying with paypal and credit cards, there will always be a fairly easy paper trail.

Vendor payments can be a little more difficult, but there are not that many of them.

 

[Smitty37]

As long as your customers are paying with paypal and credit cards, there will always be a fairly easy paper trail.

Vendor payments can be a little more difficult, but there are not that many of them.

I was thinking more of processing orders, sending invoices and the task of keeping track of what I have to sell. I know I could process a lot of it through quick books but I haven't used that in years.

 

[maxwell_smart007]

It's not a question for anyone to answer except you, Smitty...

If you don't think it's worth it to you, shut the doors and take down your shingle. If you're still having fun and want to put in the effort to essentially start a new website, then do so...

 

[OLDMAN5050]

I hope you stay in business.........

 

[Cmiles1985]

I hope you stay in business.........

+1

Leroy, in my short (so far) stent in pen turning, I have bought a great majority of my kits from you. I like what you have to offer. I certainly enjoy the sales you offer to SC Members, although my wallet may disagree. Personally, I would hate (that's a word I don't like to use) to see you leave the kit sales world, but the choice is ultimately yours. Do you enjoy what you're doing? More importantly, do the finances allow for the decision you feel is right in your heart?

Either way, I wish the best for you in your health and business decision, and please let me know if there's anything that I (we) can do to help.

 

[Swagopenturner]

Only you can make the decision. However, whatever we can do to be a help, PLEASE let us know. We would all lose a friend and great supporter if you were to close up shop!

 

[kovalcik]

Selfishly, I would say I want you to stay in business, but as mentioned by several others, you have to make the decision that that is best for your health and well being.

I do think you offer items I cannot get anywhere else, and I would be sorry to see them disappear. If you decide to shut things down, maybe another vendor could pick up your unique offerings.

 

[Smitty37]

Maybe not too bad

It might not be too bad, they are offering migration to another store front that would be similar if not exactly the same but at least 50% costlier which of course will impact priceing -- that impact is what I'll need to evaluate, low price is one of my hallmarks.

 

[walshjp17]

Assumption: You decide to stay in business (my preferred option :biggrin.

Times do change and the software business is one that changes constantly. One thing I would consider if you decide on transitioning to the new software is the ability to seamlessly move your current data (inventory, pricing, etc.) to the new package. If it can be done without a lot of trouble and/or cost, it may be less expensive than going with a package from another vendor. If, on the other hand, your current vendor offers transition "services" at a "reasonable" price, you may be better off switching vendors as "services" is just another word for increased revenues - as any former IBMer would know.:wink:

 

[nativewooder]

Do whatever will be best for you and your family, Smitty. I'm sure the IAP family will support your decision. God Bless!

 

[Smitty37]

Assumption: You decide to stay in business (my preferred option :biggrin.

Times do change and the software business is one that changes constantly. One thing I would consider if you decide on transitioning to the new software is the ability to seamlessly move your current data (inventory, pricing, etc.) to the new package. If it can be done without a lot of trouble and/or cost, it may be less expensive than going with a package from another vendor. If, on the other hand, your current vendor offers transition "services" at a "reasonable" price, you may be better off switching vendors as "services" is just another word for increased revenues - as any former IBMer would know.:wink:

The current venor says essentially that technology has left them behind (they were originally a spring off from eBay stores and their store was an extension of your eBay store) There is another company providing a new store and another specialist company providing migration services.