Choosing a consignment store? - SBB Digital Scrapbooking Forums | Scrapbook-Bytes

katef · #1 (**permalink**) 09-11-2005

I hope this is ok to post as I have been pondering it for a while - How do/did you choose which stores you would sell your designs through?

I have been approached by a store who is interested in my work and I have also been looking at a few others and have seen some 'calls' for designers, but I am not sure how to decide!

So what do you look for in a store?
Any tips on how to know if this will be the right place for you?
exclusive or non-exclusive?

This is all very theoretical as I don't even know if my kits are saleworthy really but I'd be very interested in hearing everyone's thoughts. No names ofcourse, just general ideas of what to look for... or feel free to PM me if you think that would be more appropriate.

TIA

Kate

ksbalint · #2 (**permalink**) 09-11-2005

Hi, Kate. I actually contacted a few sites, one of which was Scrapbook-Bytes, for their terms for selling kits. (One or two asked me to sign a confidientiality agreement, which is fine, but I wanted to let you know that you may encounter that). All of them, however, noted that they had the right not to accept you as a designer. So, for me, months went by and I never submitted my work to any of the stores. Finally, not long after I became a design team member here, I decided to go ahead and see if a) there was room here in the SBB store and b) if they would accept me. I've been selling here since March.

My main reason for choosing Scrapbook-Bytes was because I was, by then, a DTM here and wanted to help the site in any way I could. Plus, Scrapbook-Bytes was "home," to me, so I felt comfortable here and I trust Amy implicitly.

Frankly, I didn't give much thought to anything else, but here are some other things worth considering when you choose a store:
1) the fees and/or commissions charged
2) how much space is allotted to a designer
3) the traffic the site gets
4) whether there are any requirements or quotas for producing kits, for instance, do you have to offer a new kit each week.
5) anything the site offers to help you promote your kits, such as a gallery for people to post their layouts using your kits, a chat room where you can host crops to promote your kits

I hope this helps.

frankcassiesmom · #3 (**permalink**) 09-11-2005

Wow Kathryn has told ya just about everything!! Just be sure that you really love this place. I know that I jumped at the first place that would take me and it wasn't right for me. So I was patient, became at DTM here (my HOME and has been since the first day I learned about digiscrapping!) and like Kathryn, asked if there was an open slot, there was and i just got my first stuff in this week! But my point is be patient and make sure you are where you REALLY want to be!!!

katef · #4 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005

thanks so much both of you...

I've been thinking alot about not just jumping at the first oppertunity as I want to find a place that will want to 'hang out at' as well as sell stuff through... which I thought souned a bit silly but perhaps it's not!

Thanks again you've given me a lot to think about!

Kate

susan mc · #5 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005

Can any design "SELLERS" give me information about requesting that a potential consignment store sign a non-disclosure agreement before they see your designs?

I have developed a unique design concept that I would like to market to scrapbookers and the public in general, but also want to know that my idea/designs are protected.

TIA
susan mc

ksbalint · #6 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005

I didn't ask them to sign a non-disclosure agreement, Susan. They asked me. Sorry I can't help. Maybe there's something on the Web somewhere where you can download a standard non-disclosure agreement and ask the consignment stores to sell it.

The other idea is to set up your own Web site, which is, from what I can gather, a lot of work.