NaturallyTru Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 Name one thing you are doing to keep costs down and manageable.Mine is limiting my suppliers to 5 (would be 4 if BC would offer south scents at north location) to save on shipping and splurging. Trudi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scent Cellar Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 Bulk ordering several times a year.Staying away from spontaneous buying.I guess that is two things but those are the ones that help me most. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitn Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 Buying the largest amount I can afford and store.Curbing my FOHO impulse buys.Stick with what I know . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuminousBoutique Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 Limiting suppliers to 4 (CS, Peaks, MMS, PaperMart)... buying locally (MMS) to save on shipping.. bulk orders... pouring only one jar this year (my 8oz mason, bestseller) trying to limit my amount of FO's to best sellers....the interesting thing is I used to offer up 30 scent choices... but in doing group testing and in asking friends and family, again and again I came down to a list of 15-20 that actually sold and people responded to really strongly, and I had people tell me that more than 10-15 was confusing and gave them too many options.. I was shocked by that. So thats what I'm sticking to this season.... keeping the best sellers and walking away from the rest so I can turn a profit. We'll see how it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndyGirl Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 I need to cut down on FO choices, buy on sale and watch for best shipping! No stockng up on candles until fall shows! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mparadise Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 Using up or selling off all the "extras" I have in the workshop rather than going out and buying a ton of new seasonal stuff. I was amazed at how many things I had stashed once I started cleaning! Using them up turns it into cash I can use to buy what I really need rather than it just being dead stock on my shelves that takes up space. The bonus is once I have more storage space I can buy necessities in larger quantities to save on material costs AND shipping charges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybee Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 (edited) 1. Selling off unsold stock2. Using up accumulated fragrance oils3. Setting a limit for seasonal scents & STICKING TO IT!4. Dropping craft shows/markets that don't turn a profit5. Streamlining products Edited January 29, 2010 by Candybee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertrose Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Everything Candybee said!Plus, trying to curb hubby's jar fetish. We really do not need so many variations of jar candles! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traveler Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 I do a lot of shipping so instead of buying boxes I simply reuse boxes that my supplies are shipped in. I also use the free boxes available from the Post Office. Other crafters give me their empty supply boxes at craft shows when they know I will put them to good use. I use all of my old newspapers (and my neighbors newspapers) as packing material...the same with all of those styrofoam peanuts that my own supplies come packed in. Every little bit helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asheebeans Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 participating in co-ops, selling off stuff I don't use and downsizing the amount of products/scents that I offer. By doing this, I'm keeping costs down and my sanity in tact all at the same time! (well, what's left of my sanity, anyway! LOL) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scented Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 Well I have to use up whatever item before it can be considered an emergency purchase as I have a tendency to stock and store. However, it concerns me that I have to get dangerously low before I can order ... i.e. down to about 6 oz of Epsom salt before ordering ... of course stocking up with 50 pounds of the stuff that may or may not last into June. Hard to say as other items get too low before I'm allowed to buy. Might serve me right, but it's annoying lol. Definitely trying to get around shipping costs, which getting 100 pounds of salts with free shipping as opposed to $50+ to send is pretty sweet IMO. After the first four months last year I had to curb my FO buying and then this Moonworks Collection person (cough) forced me out of resistance. If I ever get down to five suppliers that will be a miracle, but I'm not trying to get there lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CandlePup Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 LOL....hrmmm...well buying in bulk is always my first choice, especially in FOs. Other than that, I keep a limited amount of certain items in stock. People are usually understanding about it (especially since I'm moving soon!), so they don't mind if it takes a little bit longer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJo Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Planning ahead...if there is something I would like to try in the future, buying those items when I place a normal order. Saves on shipping, instead of purchasing when I want to play, instead of paying for shipping for a couple of items. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crafty1 Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 I am stopping impluse purchases. For the items I don't buy in bulk I will start that. I will also be limiting my fragrance selection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momtohaley2004 Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 I am in the process of clearing out/deleting the scents that are not good sellers and in the process I am making a list of scents that sell which will allow me to buy in bulk. Too many fragrances (like I have now) is confusing to some! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barncat Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 My purchasing has not changed, however I took measures to negotiate leases and utility rates, in hope to increase my advertising, therefore more $$! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sndfrddy Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 This past year I pretty much only poured candles as orders came in. No having candles poured up ahead of time to grab and package immediately. It made for a busier time but kept the cost down. I only sell one kind. size and container of candle. Keeping it simple really helps with cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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