Although we try to keep this blog fairly positive, I (Cliff) felt like a whinge. I'm sure that a lot of the bloggers on here that make and create can sympathise with my feelings at the moment. It is so frustrating that people don't realise the time and effort that goes into some of the work we all do.
The chair in the last posted pic that I was working on, took over two hours just to strip! That's before the repairs, the strengthening, the sanding and refinishing! And then it's onto the re-springing, padding and covering. We have had so much positive feedback in regards to Resurekt since we opened and we thank everyone for that, but recently I've been wondering if this concept is too early for Tassie. I sometimes look at our shop and think that some people must think we just throw a bit of old fabric and a splash of paint at a secondhand chair and expect a sale! Anyway, just had to purge a bit. Thanks.
I hear you!! Unfortunately there are those who expect you to do all that and then expect to buy it for little $$$. Please persevere - sooner or later people will begin to appreciate what you do. I wonder every day what I can do to improve my business, bring more people in and have them buy something! And 18 months down the track I still worry when we have a quiet day. Good Luck! Cathy
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ReplyDeleteThanx Cathy. It's a hard road when you are creative and you want to share the love.We have only been open for just over 2 months...I think the most frustrating thing is that we are getting so many people coming in and thanking us for being there...yet, we struggle to pay the bills. Onward and upward...:)Cliff & Matt
ReplyDeletedon't worry anyone who makes stuff by hand knows exactly what you mean! welcome to the world of trying to sell quality-products-with-soul in a mass-produced-in-china world. it's horrible and there will be no changing some people. just believe in what you do and the people who appreciate it will come (and i assure you that there are some!). and maybe if you feel like educating some people your price tags could read some thing like this: I took 9hrs to reconstruct by hand, and in my former life I was grandma's table cloth + a 50s stool. i don't know, just an idea.
ReplyDeleteNice idea Isis, We actually have providence boards for each piece. They are little self supporting wooden boards with photo's of the original piece on it. They work really well because people can see what the piece looked like before we started work on it. So..people are starting to understand what goes into each piece. Over the last couple of weeks..the turn over of stock had been fairly constant and we had forgotten to put these boards out. Now that they are out again...the reaction to our hard work seems more posative.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you guys are feeling the 'pinch'. I actually think your prices are pretty darn reasonable! I'm just in the same boat you are (new business owner), but would stock my house full of the 'Resurekt' brand if I could!
ReplyDeleteIKEA and Harvey Norman have a lot to answer for in regards to quality vs consumerism. Hang in there - I don't think you are too early, but you are forging a path.
Will drop in soon to take some piccies and do my own Resurekt blog entry to spread the word.
Thing with furniture is not everyone needs it all the time, so I guess it takes time to build up a fan base, and for them to actually buy.
ReplyDeleteHave you considered taking a few funky pieces and having a stall at Evandale/Launceston markets? Might help to raise the Resurekt profile?