Well well knew it would’nt be long before the papermania company trampled all over us small craft shops once again.  I thought it was funny i got a lovely letter this morning about how they were looking after craft shops, doing this and that and promotions ect ect ect. So now i know why, this company are very big and are also very good at covering there backs. All my stock that i have with them and takes a lot of space up in my shop because i have loads of there stuff will now have to be greatly reduced as i have a netto less than 5 mins away from me. So what was the point of choosing this lovely loyal company to fill my shop of which i have done for the past 4 years and just get s*** on from a great height.  Well done hope you have a very merry christmas.  Just for the record i called tonight for a few bits and say Red Hot Bed products. I could say alot more but i just would like to know how everyone else feels

I am in total agreement with Michelle.  Us ‘proper’ Craft Shops have more than enough to contend with with larger outlets such as Hobbycraft, The Range etc. - even Home Shopping Channels - without our own Suppliers doing the dirty on us, and not supporting us. 

Some Customers buy from the larger outlets, and then have the cheek to come into our Specialist Shops to ask our advice on how to use the products they’ve bought elsewhere.

If they can now buy craft products when doing their grocery shopping, what chance do we have ?  I work 7 days a week, sometimes with 18-hour days just trying to keep my head above water !

Thanks a lot, Suppliers - for your continued support !!!

Just thought I would join in thanking papermania yet again for doing there utmost to put us independant craft shops out of business. I too have a Netto practically on my doorstep so I too will be reviewing the range of products I buy off them as they will no doubt will be able to sell them much cheaper than us as papermania only offer the discount prices when you buy the products in very large amounts.
I also get customers buying at these big outlets and then coming to us to ask how to use them, it makes me so mad, the big retailers get the sales and we are supposed to give the advice on how to use them for free!!
I got a lovely letter yesterday too, and just laughed.

I was thinking about stocking their products but deffinately won’t now. by the sound of it papermania are very similar to a wool company I used to deal with years ago ie they fill the local independant craft shops and then get greedy and fill local supermarkets and chain stores.

Lets hope they have a merry christmas as I am sure lots of retailers will now stop purchasing from them

I used to stock a lot of products from a well-known supplier but when I found that I was not listed on their website and would spend just as much as others that bought their bumper deal I slowly reduced my stock - thank god.  I now only buy what I know will sell and not budge on this as I still have decorative scissors that I bought nearly three years ago.

Thanks everyone it is comforting to know i am not on my own on this matter.  I have reduced all my stock now so with a bit of luck it will be out with old and in with the new.  Treat this company like they are treating us there are more companies out there to deal with and they have very good and better stock. So lets not let this upset spoil our christmas we all deserve a well earned rest even if it is a couple of days. Have a merry christmas and an even better new year.

Hello

came out of retail this year as it is now a waste of time, get yourselves a unique range or design your own like I have, it is the only way to compete as the craft shows I attend are rife with undercutting and some are your suppliers right now, we all know the culpits and all I can offer is to look for suppliers who care for retailers longterm or drop those who are destroying the marketplace forever, you really have nothing to lose now except your shops as I did !!

regards

Steve