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Virtual Reality
Listed under: Interviews
Published: Wednesday, March 18, 2009
When online retailer Stephanie Parsloe read the latest issue of Craft Business magazine, she was outraged to see a shop owner attacking internet businesses. We gave her the opportunity to have her say
Meet Stephanie Parsloe director of online scrapbooking store Indigo Mill Limited. Having become sick and tired of hearing people rant about the internet's negative impact on the craft industry, she felt it was time to put her views across.
“As an online retailer, I was upset to hear another shop owner criticise internet businesses,” she explains. “While I would love to have my own bricks and mortar store, in the current economic climate it is a very daunting prospect. I imagine most other internet companies feel the same.
“While online stores are able to offer lower prices for their goods, they are unable to obtain as much of a discount for ordering in bulk, so the overall margins are probably very similar,” she says. “I think people need to think about why there are so many internet stores around these days. It's not just about business, but making a living too. I have two small children and simply couldn't afford to cover their childcare costs when I was employed. Working for myself allows me to do a job I love while spending time with my children.
“Contrary to what people might think, I don't just sit around all day doing nothing,” she continues. “Being self-employed is hard work. I am frequently awake until two in the morning and haven't gone to bed before midnight for as long as I can remember. In fact, I probably work three times harder than most high street retailers, particularly when it comes to customer care. As an online retailer I often have to pack, despatch and deliver stock within a 24 hour period, as well as ensuring the website is continually updated.
“Internet businesses can provide just as much after sales care for their customers as regular retailers,” she says. “I email every shopper after they have received their purchases, offering advice, ideas and suggestions that will help them get the most out of their new goods. I never leave an email unanswered, and pride myself on offering better customer care than a bricks and mortar shop does.
“The world is definitely gravitating towards online sales,” she says. “Retailers who refuse to embrace the internet are only harming themselves. Once they get a website up and running, I am sure they will see how beneficial it can be, not just to their business, but their profits too.
"At the end of the day, every craft shop is promoting the industry and attracting new customers to the business,” she concludes. “It shouldn't matter how we sell, just that we do.”
What do you think? Email me your thoughts at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
“As an online retailer, I was upset to hear another shop owner criticise internet businesses,” she explains. “While I would love to have my own bricks and mortar store, in the current economic climate it is a very daunting prospect. I imagine most other internet companies feel the same.
“While online stores are able to offer lower prices for their goods, they are unable to obtain as much of a discount for ordering in bulk, so the overall margins are probably very similar,” she says. “I think people need to think about why there are so many internet stores around these days. It's not just about business, but making a living too. I have two small children and simply couldn't afford to cover their childcare costs when I was employed. Working for myself allows me to do a job I love while spending time with my children.
“Contrary to what people might think, I don't just sit around all day doing nothing,” she continues. “Being self-employed is hard work. I am frequently awake until two in the morning and haven't gone to bed before midnight for as long as I can remember. In fact, I probably work three times harder than most high street retailers, particularly when it comes to customer care. As an online retailer I often have to pack, despatch and deliver stock within a 24 hour period, as well as ensuring the website is continually updated.
“Internet businesses can provide just as much after sales care for their customers as regular retailers,” she says. “I email every shopper after they have received their purchases, offering advice, ideas and suggestions that will help them get the most out of their new goods. I never leave an email unanswered, and pride myself on offering better customer care than a bricks and mortar shop does.
“The world is definitely gravitating towards online sales,” she says. “Retailers who refuse to embrace the internet are only harming themselves. Once they get a website up and running, I am sure they will see how beneficial it can be, not just to their business, but their profits too.
"At the end of the day, every craft shop is promoting the industry and attracting new customers to the business,” she concludes. “It shouldn't matter how we sell, just that we do.”
What do you think? Email me your thoughts at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
