At Beauty of Creating, we pride ourselves on serving collector's, though many see themselves as customers or consumers.
Recently, a viewer made an unusually low offer on an item (1/3 of the listing price), it was rejected, returned with a new offer (1/2 of the listing price), it was countered for the only acceptable lowest offer, and then came the message/plea. But the worst of it is what came thereafter--the accusation that the items in the listing are "mass produced by Toys R Us" therefore not worth the listing price.
As a followup to this encounter, in conjunction with a previous trade fail, I feel it is necessary to make a post so that customers who shop our sites understand that we are not peddlers, but art dealers who seek collectors. Before we get there, let us address a few matters of the utmost importance.
First, not every item presented in listings under the Beauty of Creating (B.O.C.) shingle is made by us, but we always disclaim the items we produce in addition to the Toys R Us mention because it is rightfully deserving, considering they produced the dolls, Journey Girls. The same courtesy we extend to any doll manufacturer used as our models. Because we do not receive product endorsements, we choose to only disclaim by request, other items that companion our doll outfits (shoes, socks, etc.), namely those which do not bear an outright signature or label. We do not remove or destroy any product in order to claim rights to another entity and we trust that our customers treat us with the same courtesy.
Despite the closing of Toys R Us and the ongoing expansion of B.O.C. to accommodate most other 18" dolls in our direct sell division, we remain committed to the excellence of the creation of the Journey Girl doll line and henceforth maintain this as our flagship doll.
Second, it is complimentary to us that viewers even take the time, amidst a myriad of other options, to pay us any attention. We highly regard shares and purchases to extend the B.O.C. experience. However, we reward loyalty not insults. Friends who continue to share and patronize our entity receive ongoing discounts in the form of free shipping, VIP passes to exclusive merchandise, VIP discounts via direct/online towards regular priced merchandise, and many other values we see fit to reward our brand loyalists.
Third, B.O.C. has been extremely generous over the course of our existence, and continue to give unearned VIP status/offers to inspire new/prospective customers in a variety of ways. Very often, we have observed our VIPs stepping aside to allow new customers to take advantage of these exclusive offers. Even when we offer 'free items' many choose not to invest in the ongoing communication that will allow them to further access more goodies as they become available.
Fourth, we offer many listings across a wide margin of price points. We know that customers desire the maximum for their investment, but we also believe that the quality of materials and the 40 years of experience honing the craftsmanship deserves its rightful compensation. Therefore we price many items to 'test' their viability to the open market and give shoppers the option to make an offer on the listing. But the offer must be within our margin of discount (20%-30%), with higher discount posed at our discretion.
In addition, B.O.C. does not mass produce. We are a small entity with the vision to expand. And like limited releases, we post a value based also on the scarcity of reproduction. We strive to produce our best, that which we are proud to display our name. Much more production happens in shop, than the public will ever see. We withhold much from the consumer until we are pleased with the final product--that which we are proud to photograph and show to the world. For example, a direct sell customer desired a particular finish on a bounty of skirts. We took the time to experiment with this unusual request and discovered that it was not our best look to display our signature. Therefore we declined and offered what we believe was the best alternative for the garment. The customer/collector understood and thanked us for the effort and the courtesy of artistic license.
Furthermore, B.O.C. is inspired by many and many will continue to be inspired by us. However the passion of the artist by design is singular, and that passion can never be duplicated. Only the hands that create can pass that energy along to the item.
Finally, our customers, like our designs are unique entities--collectors, and should not be underscored in value. Our customer/collectors are not swindlers, thieves, or con's. Their first thought and last thought is to the artistry and to the desire to bring that piece of art into their home. A customer/collector does not insult the art or the artist after a proposed offer is declined.
Again, because we do not trade third party items the space of negotiation is limited to what we value the item to be, not what a shopper feels entitled to pay. As a shopper you have the right to shop elsewhere, take a cheaper mass-produced item funded on sweat shop labor if you so choose. As a customer/collector however, you reserve the pride to inherit a valuable piece of the Beauty of Creating legacy because you respect not only the artist, but the artistry.
