Clutch-Me.Com

Learn. Make. Sell. All about clutches.

Can you order this metal purse frame for me?

Do you buy from a seller or a re-seller?

One question that I get, especially from potential customers on Etsy, is “Can you order this metal purse frame for me?” And it usually comes with a picture attached to the message.

I get this question from time to time and I have to reiterate:

*I am NOT a reseller.*

To be clear, I don’t order the frames from someone, and mark up the price and resell it to you.  (You might as well order directly from them yourself to save and not pay the mark-up!)  I make my own frames using my own designs and specifications.

If you are asking that of other sellers and they answer “Sure, I can get that for you”, then I would suggest you ask if they are making their money marking up and reselling cheap imported frames, or not.  It is NOT possible to get a frame to you within a week or two unless you are a reseller.  You CANNOT make a frame in that amount of time.  How do you account for buying the raw materials, making the CAD drawing (need engineering), producing samples, and then get on the production schedule to make it?  There is NO WAY someone would make and satisfy an order of 1, 5 or 10 frames.  It cannot be done, unless you buy it cheaply, and resell it.

For me and my business, if a customer can order 200-300 up-front, then I can consider making that frame for them.  But the mold rights are retained by me:  that is, I own the rights to the mold and can sell the excess frames and/or make more frames using the same mold.  That is the only way I can even make a profit.

So, how can another seller “get that frame” for you?  By buying it cheaply from someone, marking up the price, and reselling it to you.  Then you know you are buying a cheap import.

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August 22, 2010 Posted by | Helpful Tips | 1 Comment

About Skinny Bride(TM) 8×3 “nickel-free kisslock metal purse frames(TM)”!

I had a question from one of my customers on Etsy and thought I’d share the update with everyone as well…  she wins the prize for noticing all of my hard work!  Thanks Amy!!  🙂

As you know, I design and make all my frames, and I do a lot of research before making any new designs. And it’s always based on the marketplace and trying to improve on it for you – the handbag maker – my customer.

1. What do I offer (in terms of new products) to help you with your handbag/clutch business?

2. How can I help you grow their business?

I think it gets stagnant to offer the same thing year-in and year-out.  It’s my hope that you like the improvements and helps your business grow.
So that said, here are the improvements made to my most popular design – the 8×3 “nickel-free kisslock metal purse frame(TM)”.

The width of the U-channel a narrower by less than 0.6mm. This design was narrowed for the following accommodations based on continuing market research and customer feedback:

* less glue is needed to use to “fill” the channel walls and NO glue needed on the fabric edge as well. This roughly translates to a 10-25% savings for the handbag maker on the cost of glue depending on the size of the frame used. (This also saves time!)

* regular-weight interface can be used instead of heavy weight interface giving the handbag maker two benefits: less cost, less stiff clutches (best for the finer higher-end clutches).

* thinner and finer materials (silk, satin, shantung) can be used without needing to “stuff” the channel. This resulted in higher priced clutches.
The width of the frame wall decreased by 1mm in order to give more attention to the fabric. I got comments from handbag makers that they wanted something sleeker, less intrusive, so that their craftsmanship can stand out and the fabrics used can stand out. (Many have their own printed fabrics.)

….So basically, you’d spend less on glue, less on the interface, and have the flexibility of introducing a higher priced line of clutches for special occasions (evening wear, bridal, showers, etc…) to expand your product line offering.  In all you will either save money and/or make more money. My aim was to help my customers make more money. I feel strongly that I have the best frames, BUT my frames should be just that: provide a “frame” for your sewing or fabric or designs, but should NOT be the focus, or God forbid, detract from the clutch fabric or design.

Best always,

Winn

August 9, 2010 Posted by | Helpful Tips | 2 Comments

“You get what you pay for”

Busy with 3 kids, a new puppy, and working on new designs for my metal purse frames, I had neglected to check out the competition on ETSY.  Much to my dismay, I found a new seller who had outright DISTORTIONS and FALSEHOODS on her shop announcement — all points pertaining to my shop since she even copied my original “NICKEL-FREE” metal purse frames.  This is NOT why I started selling to novices and hobbyists on ETSY and teaching women (99%) to learn a new trade and start their own businesses.

So, many thanks to one of my loyal Etsy customers, Erin, who lifted my up with her comments, which follows in its entirety:

“Thanks so much! And a special thanks for teaching me how to make these. I’ve actually started having some interest in my shop using your design. I was soooo frustrated with etsy before I bought your PDF and supplies. I feel like now I actually have a small chance at the huge world of etsy (and I’m having a lot of fun doing it). :O)”


And when I thanked her for boosting my spirits and conveyed the current mean-spirited business dealings on Etsy (of all places!), she wrote those wonderful words … “you get what you pay for”.


So I stand by my metal purse frames with a 30-day money back guarantee … and no one, not one, had offered this prior to me, since me, and except for me.

Just for the record, I hate business like this.  Isn’t that why we all get out of the rat race and work for ourselves???  To get away from this and doing things that we love?  I asked that seller to retract the portion about nickel-free frames not costing any more than nickel frames, and she has refused.  That is completely false, as it is MUCH CHEAPER for me to get it plated in nickel or silver.  I get two special coatings that make my frames whiter and easier for fingerprints to wipe off.  This costs me more money.

But I understand the desire to try a new seller offering cheap frames.  I just hope that Etsy customers would rather do business with someone who is honest, trustworthy and kind with unparalleled customer service rather than a new seller who’s in it to bad-mouth to sell cheap frames.

I’m not in it to sell you cheap frames.  I am proud to say that I’ve taught women and help put many into business from teaching them how to make clutches, supplying the frames, Gutermann glue, and a 30-day money back guarantee.

Thanks for your kindness Erin!

~Best,

Winn

August 7, 2010 Posted by | WhileBabyNaps General Updates | 1 Comment

   

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