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I moved to a small city a little over a year ago. I travel an hour and half to go to a card club. I have noticed in the last two years that the big craft stores have been cutting back on card/scrapbooking supplies. Are the card making craft slowing down or going by the wayside? In the area I live in area where there is not interest in any paper crafts. We will be moving near Knoxville, TN in the spring. Thank you in advance.....Linda
Just as big here and our LSS is enlarging. I noticed Walmart has almost no craft supplies in that area. But HL and Michaels here is full. Check out the stores in Knoxville when you can and let us know how they are doing.
I have recently been buying online. I have noticed for instance that Joann's have a smaller amount of products in the store but their online store has boosted up with "online only" products.... tons of them.
I started ordering stuff and I wait until I need several things. I get either a 1.99 shipping or free depending on how much I spend. I am finding that there is a lot more online and if you do it wisely, it can be cheaper in the end. Just a thought.
Kat, I have realized the same exact thing. The stamp selection is amazing compared to the little that is available in store. Joann's recently did a reset of their department and I think it got worse. they discontinued so much and I expected new product to come in but what it was replaced with was stuff that is stale, in my opinion, and of little interest to me. Their paper selection is weak, embellishments are few, so shopping online is the way to go. I also have discovered that the selection of yarn colors is far greater on line. thank goodness that option still exists.
I also try to wait until I can get free shipping or near free. It isn't all that hard to do.
They are definitely cutting back on inventory. I order most of my stuff online. There's nothing more frustrating than going to the store just to find out what I want is out of stock. It is well worth the shipping cost to (1) not pay sales tax (usually), (2) not waste gas and (3) not waste my precious crafting time. Besides, it keeps me from buying "impulse items."
__________________ Debbie "Make it work, people." - Tim Gunn My Gallery
Well, the last couple of orders that I've gotten at Joann's have been online. I bought all sale stuff and got everything that I couldn't get in the store or any of the local stores. I don't know what the local stores aversion to Graphic 45. Anything they put in the store sells out immediately, but they only put wee amounts. Joann's has graphic 45 but only online. Right now it's 50% off on sale. They also have the Art impressions and I find them on sale a lot at Joann's. They have an offer of $50 or $75 free shipping or use a coup for $1.99 or $2.99 for shipping.
The brick and mortar stores just refuse to do a full stock. I actually enjoy shopping from my lap top in bed lately. I need to stop until after Christmas. The only real thing I need and want are the gelatos. Joann's has a 50% off coup right now and they have the 26 pack for 24.95. That's 12.50. I can't use the free shipping, so I will most likely go into the store for the gelatos and use the freebie or cut price shipping for the online stuff. Either that or tell my family members as it's on my Christmas list!! lol I want them gelatos, it's a bit of obsession right now.
Sorry, I went on a bit of a rant. lol I've just been really frustrated with shopping lately. I mainly go into the brick 'n mortars to see what's on clearance. I live a block from a hobby lobby and a 1/4 of mile from a Michaels. I've been more pleased with Joann's lately, but need to be careful because everything seems to be on sale that I like so I tend to over do it. This past week, Hobby Lobby stuck most of Martha's stuff on the clearance wall. I talked to the lady and she said they are just getting ready to bring in new stuff.
Just keep in mind Linda, you can get a better selection online... especially with Joann's. I'm loving them right now.
Well, the last couple of orders that I've gotten at Joann's have been online. I bought all sale stuff and got everything that I couldn't get in the store or any of the local stores. I don't know what the local stores aversion to Graphic 45. Anything they put in the store sells out immediately, but they only put wee amounts. Joann's has graphic 45 but only online. Right now it's 50% off on sale. They also have the Art impressions and I find them on sale a lot at Joann's. They have an offer of $50 or $75 free shipping or use a coup for $1.99 or $2.99 for shipping.
I just went shopping at Joann's. While I was happy to see the Graphic 45 and My Mind's Eye selections, I compared and found that the prices are exactly the same as Amazon, which gives free shipping on order above $35 so you don't get charged for shipping. I also got charged sales tax by Joann's, so no gain there. These prices are not due to Prime either.
Plus my CC gives me 5% back with Amazon right now (such a weak justification to spend more, I know).
I do probably 90% of my shopping on line now days and only buy stuff on 50% or higher clearance sales at the stores.
I agree that card making supplies has dropped over the years. When I started my rubber addiction years ago, I would see tons of rubber stamps, paper collections and inks on the shelves. But since the Great Recession and internet shopping, I do not see the investment into inventory that they once did. Stores have gotten a lot smarter about inventory turns, what moves, and how to market these supplies (Stampin Up is an example).
We are going to see more Avon structured selling pyramids for paper crafts in the future. This gives companies a sales force without salaries (many of them work to pay for their own supplies), no paying order entry people to process orders (demonstrators do it), no putting stock into stores and taking that unsold stock back at the end of the season, no having to create national advertising campaigns to create demand, etc. Most importantly, the 'demonstrator' holds classes - creating another craft addict - brilliant idea!
Hey Linda. I think due to huge growth in online market, people prefers to buy products online and so the storekeepers do not keep much things as they used to do. It is much easier to get the things online and that too at a low cost with no or very low shipping charges. I think you should try to have all the things online. Thanks
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