Sample Box Launch

Hi All,

After many months of discussion, testing & calculations I'm very pleased to be able to launch the first run of Shop Handmade UK Sample Boxes. For those newer readers to the blog you can read more details on Sample Boxes here.

What does the Sample Box Offer Sellers?
Sample boxes are a way to get your goods into the hands of buyers and to get your brand noticed. In the past sample boxes have involved designers giving goods away for no payment so this becomes a costly form of marketing. Our box concept aims to pay designers their costs associated with making their goods therefore making the cost of this form of marketing nil.

What does the Sample Box Offer Buyers?
Sample boxes are a way for buyers to purchase a range of designers goods at a reduced sample price to try. They may not have normally purchased your goods or may have bought lesser value items, the sample box is a way for them to see and feel your goods and know what to expect when they purchase from you in future.

How will the Sample Boxes be promoted?
Once the sample boxes have been grouped they will be photographed and promoted on a dedicated page on Shop Handmade UK detailing each product (with a link to the designers store) in the box with the usual RRP and the special sample price.

This page will have a link to one of the UK selling sites where buyers can purchase the sample boxes. In addition to selling online Shop Handmade UK will be at the Handm@de Fair Oxford on Nov 29th where we will have all available boxes for sale.

There is just one decision to make and that is where to sell the boxes. Both Coriandr & Folksy have kindly agreed to Shop Handmade UK setting up a shop to sell them. Unfortunately Etsy have not permitted them to be sold their at this point in time. I've created a poll so you can tell me which site you prefer, whilst we like to promote all UK selling sites I am only setting up one shop to reduce admin work and as costs do not permit the boxes to be duplicated over multiple sites.



How will Designers be Paid their Costs?
We must abide by the distance selling rules for online purchases and we must ensure goods are received so payments will be held for 14 days to cover any refunds / returns requested. We will notify you that the box your product/s were in has sold and after 14days we will pay the amount you have requested via Paypal.

How to get involved
If you are a designer / maker and would like to submit 1 or more products to be included in the Sample Boxes I need the following information from you to determine suitability for inclusion:

• Image of your product
  
• Quantity you wish to submit
  
• The cost you would need to be reimbursed to cover materials & time
• The RRP of the product

You need to email these details to info [@] shophandmade.co.uk. As the Sample boxes offer buyers a discount of between 35%-40%, products that have been priced with wholesale pricing in mind are usually more suitable. Once I have calculated your product I will be in touch to advise the next steps.

I am looking to have the boxes ready for sale by 2nd November to give a good sale time in the lead up to Christmas. I've set a cut off date of Mon 19th October for all goods to be received which is just 2 weeks away so if you want to get involved please do not delay and submit the required information now.

If you have any questions please post a comment here or contact me direct on info[@]shophandmade.co.uk.

Thanks
Belinda
www.shophandmade.co.uk
www.twitter.com/ShopHandmadeUK
www.facebook.com/ShopHandmadeUK