I take back everything I ever said about marketing.
My sister in law told me that she bought jewelry over the weekend, and that buying the pieces she wanted was a hassle. She told me that she waited for over an hour on the sidewalk to just get into the store, and that the jeweler was telling people who hadn't gotten in line before 3:00 p.m. to leave, he wouldn't serve them, because the store closes at 5:00 p.m.
I was shocked, and asked her why on Earth anyone would stand in line for all that time to give someone her money. She told me that the bracelet was "very special" and that "everyone has one."
I asked for a web site to see this amazing bracelet, and she gave me enough information to find the jeweler:
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note that the site doesn't even have a picture of this amazing bracelet (one is included in the line drawing/logo at the top of the page), nor does it mention prices. (they were _very_ expensive for Sterling Silver) Oh did I mention that one is not supposed to remove this bracelet? If you take it off repeatedly, it will crack and they don't do repairs.
These folks have photos of a similar (and cheaper) version of the wonder bracelet that you can't remove:
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know how I said that sellers should make it easy for buyers to give them money? No longer -- I now want to make it as difficult as possible to purchase from me. My business will be open on Feb. 29th only from 6:34 pm. -8:17 p.m. You have to stand in a mud puddle while waiting for me, and I only accept Susan B. Anthony coins as payment. Should make me immensely popular. I'm a marketing genius.
For some of your work a wait in a mud puddle might just be worth it. Do they still make SBA coins? For the rather pretty bracelet you showed us.. nah.. Tho I do love the line, "the bracelet was "very special" and that "everyone has one.". hahahahahahaha.... Diana
Yep, it's that marketing hook that makes people salivate over an otherwise-ordinary and hideously-overpriced accessory/haircut/restaurant reservation - the harder it is to get, the better it must be. Why this makes any sense to people, I don't know, but there you go.
I have actually seen this work--there is a woman who does beadsales in a BIG way who I have personally heard be incredibly rude to customers at shows, to the point of telling them they they can't buy from her. They practically hurt themselves shoving money at her to prove they COULD, so there. I can't get over the way people react positively to her treatment, and I don't believe I'd be happy behaving the same way, or that I'd get the same response. Sarajane
See my comment above. The *only* way this works is that you first have to convince the customers that having what you're selling is "special and important". At that point, there are a surprising number of people who will put up with ANY amount of abuse to get the coveted item.
Oh, it's attractive enough, in a minimalist way. I could very easily see, for example, a lady lawyer buying that to go with a tailored suit for appearing in court. But if you're used to beads, of course...
exclusivity.... if it isnt a real word it should be. its what make people buy stupid overpriced things. We all want to be different and show just what good and unique taste we have, and will follow just about anyone who shows us how to do that! lol Diana
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"scaperchick" wrote in messagenews: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com...> Yep, it's that marketing hook that makes people salivate over an> otherwise-ordinary and hideously-overpriced> accessory/haircut/restaurant reservation - the harder it is to get,> the better it must be. Why this makes any sense to people, I don't> know, but there you go.
On Wed, 20 Aug 2003 20:43:40 -0400, Dr. Sooz wrote (in message ):
The thing that kills me is that I could whack out a reasonable facsimile in about 5 minutes for about $5. It's a piece of wire and a bead, folks! True, the wire and bead have threads, but I have a tap and die set -- it's not freakin' brain surgery.
BUT, my sister-in-law informs me that this a very special bracelet. It has a "special stamp" with the maker's initials on it. ---- oooh! And a "Certificate of Authenticity." ---- aaah!
As a larf, I took a look at the Monsterslayer web site to price the beads. Guesstimating at the materials. It looks like an 8 mm 14K bead on some pretty fat wire. One 8 mm Gold Bead costs roughly $3.00, and a foot of 10 ga. Sterling costs $4.69. I don't know anyone with a 12" wrist, so I have decided that one foot makes two bracelets.
I own a bracelet mandrel, but if I had to buy one, it would be paid for with the profit on the first bracelet. I would have to purchase a rawhide mallett, but I'd probably use a rubber one for this exercise. My tap and die set are free - I've had them forever.
These bracelets take about 5 minutes labor to put threads on the end of the wire, perhaps enlarge the hole on the bead, twist it around a bracelet mandrel, and stamp my "special initials" inside.
Total expense: $2.35 for silver wire $3.00 for 14K bead
Sales Price >$100 for the "genuine Cape Cod bracelet" (Hey, I lived on Cape Cod for many summers as a child!).
Gee, I'd like to be able to abuse customers and still make about a 2,000% profit per item. I'm in the wrong business. I should be making ho-hum bracelets with my initials and a Certificate of Authenticity.
I ought to make one to make my SIL crazy. If she saw me wearing the same "very special" bracelet and if I told her I made it for $5, she'd lose her flipping mind. hehehehe
It didn't go over real well when she came back from Italy with "real Murano Glass beads." However they were strung on red cloth elastic with a base metal clasp. Without knowing she was handing out those bracelets, I gave her daughters Murano Glass bracelets as well. Mine were millefiore tabs on doubled stretch magic for the kids, with a swarovski accent between each bead. I was Aunty Unpopular at their house for a while.
What is it they say about a fool and his/her money? I wouldn't make a bracelet that couldn't be taken on or off and anyone who buys one is, well, a brick short of a load.
I had a nearby booth, and we got along quite well--she's goodlooking, funny, can be charming--or can tell customers the most amazingly awful things. It was very interesting to watch. Sarajane
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