TAW Shop

Hi there everyone!

I had a thought today and brought it to the attention of some other members at the Triangle Table. It is concerning our TAW shop. More specifically, the prices. 

After browsing several of the clothing items for sale, I was kind of disappointed at how expensive the items were. I understand the items may be made from a very durable, desirable or maybe "earth friendly" material, but these are at quite a premium. The few members I discussed it with agreed the prices were quite steep. Considering the idea of "supply and demand", I was thinking if we lower prices, it may attract more customers. 

After brainstorming this with some other folks, there was a general agreeance that there could potentially be better options out there.

One idea I had was to possibly purchase a "Box" or bundle of items (Not necessarily a huge amount) of items we wish to sell at the shop, take possession of this merchandise, and sell it ourselves. Once we run out we order more. Buying in bulk almost always yields lower costs. (Buying one tee shirt at $30/pop as compared to a box of 20 at $20/pop). There are plenty of platforms TAW could use to sell these items to customers. Such as Ebay, Etsy, etc. Having a member take physical custody of the merchandise would cut costs certainly. Yes, we would have to hold on to these items for maybe an extended period of time (Maybe not) but we would be in much more control of our items.

I also wanted to suggest instead of using an online vendor, in just one location. maybe we could instead find a local brick and mortar storefront (maybe one in the U.S. and one in the EU) Where we can bring them orders and have them either ship it out or buy it straight from them and ship ourselves? Im sure those places would like some online sales. 

I understand some online merchandise vendors, such as the one we are using now charge a startup fee to do business with them. That might not be the case with other outlets. I recently bought some merchandise from a youtuber I like and I got a sweatshirt and t-shirt for less than the price of one sweatshirt at our store. Maybe its simply just about finding a different online supplier. 

Is anyone here familiar with reliable merchandisers used on youtube?

What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks!

TomFoley

TAW Treasury LC

I agree in the fact that the prices are a bit steep, but in the same token, if you were going to buy a similar quality sports team apparrel, you'd be paying the same or more for cost.  Mind you, the shipping probably would be lower.

Alas, we do not set the prices.  Prices are set by our supplier, not Shop, or anyone else in TAW.  ArmaGG sets the price.  Occassionally, they will run promos, which when they do, we'll hopefully be able to get the info to members on time, but aside from that, it's the prices set.  So, sorry mate, we can't lower the prices like you're suggesting.  

The main reason we switched from our previous supplier of Spreadshirt to Cranium, and now Arma, is that people told us they wanted E-Sport Jersey's.  Spreadshirt was unable to meat that demand and were also constantly changing how shops were set-up/run.

With regards of "bulk purchases, the reason that is not done is because the the address/personal information issue.  Plus, it means one member would have a bunch of apparel at their home/storage location and would always have to be the one shipping stuff.  Imagine if you had to go and ship orders to 20 different people and had to pay the shipping out of your own pocket, then try and get reimbursed.  That could put a financial strain on someone, that's why we've always dealt with companies who ship direct.

Please bare in mind, these stores which we have set up, as mentioned, do cost TAW money to set up.  Yes, the clothing is not cheap, but neither is the quality.  TAW makes commissions off each sale (paid out 3 months after the sale), which the funds go back into our community.  If we keep bouncing between companies, we'll be throwing away money, which is not solid financial management.

When we first switched over to a company which sold e-sport jersey's, Arma was one of the more professional companies which paid us commissions via paypal instead of getting no commissions or the company sending a cheque.  The reason we went with a company for paypal route is so no one member holds that financial obligation, it stays with the community.  

If a better option is presented, and it is run through the proper channels, Shop is more than happy to listen, but there's a lot of boxes to check to meet the requirements for what is needed.