Saturday, July 12, 2014

A New Direction - Different But Much Better!

The last six weeks have been more than interesting. Right before Memorial Day I made the decision to change the way I do business. For over 24 years I've run a traditional retail store, specializing in the best cleaning products in the world. I really enjoy cleaning and teaching and my store let me combine both of those gifts while helping others. I loved my store and every day I woke up and looked forward to going to work.

But over the years retail has changed. When I started, there were just a few web sites and no one was buying on the internet. But now the tide has turned and each day I heard from more and more of my customers that my products were available online. Not only were they online, but they were cheaper and more convenient.

Since January I've been trying to figure out how to compete with this online competition. I found that every vendor I had in my store was also on Amazon - with prices far less than I could sell in my store. They also provided free shipping on orders over $35 or if you were an Amazon Prime member it's free shipping. My products are heavy and shipping is very expensive. One $9 bottle of hand soap costs $10 to ship to the west coast. I tried everything I could to find a profitable way to compete agains Amazon. Unfortunately, nothing I tried worked.

So I decided to join them. My new business model lets me connect you - the customer - to the best prices and inventory in the world. With minimal shipping costs! What's not to love about this?!

A lot of you are mad at me for closing my retail location. I'm want you to know that I'm going to miss the store too. If things were the same as they were 24 years ago - I would continue to serve you at my store. But things aren't the same - and change, though difficult, needs to happen.  Some of you think I'm crazy - some think I'm sick - others think I'm quitting. I'm not crazy, sick or giving up. Just making a change that will be good for everyone.

A lot of you have already gone to my website and have found it VERY convenient. You get your products in two days or less! And you can shop at your convenience - not the limited hours that my store was open. I'm telling you - this new website is going to be great!!

I also want you to know that I'm just a phone call away. My phone number still rings on my phone. I'm just not at the store. But I'm happy to help to answer any of your questions. Even if it's "What kind of bags do I need?" I have all your buying history in my computer.

Faster! Easier! Cheaper! - It's everything you want. Trust me. It's different, but much better.

There was a great article in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette that discussed the changes happening to retail locations. You can read it here: http://www.telegram.com/article/20140706/NEWS/307069951/1237#.U7oF1yCkUrQ.facebook

Happy Cleaning!

8 comments:

  1. Looking forward to reading through more. Excellent blog.Truly looking forward to find out more.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a great opportunity for you! Moving your business online is a big step! Wish you luck!

    Office cleaners Brentwood

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous8:27 PM

    Excellent site you have here.. It's hard to find excellent writing like yours nowadays.
    I really appreciate people like you! Take care!!


    Here is my website; Green Coffee Cleanse

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for sharing. Your blog is helpful for us.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Changing with the times seems to be the requirement of every smart small business owner. Our cleaning service has had to do the same thing. It's always cool to come up with new things that work!

    ReplyDelete
  6. thank's for your article, very helpful.. :D

    ReplyDelete