amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

mom2wildgirls · 02-27-2004, 09:32 PM

Mine would be most of what other have said but I would add never give up no matter what. Even when people try to run you off and put you down allways stand behind your products and yourself and keep your cool. Customers are first but never let them make you feel less of a person and never be rude no matter what. I just hate when wahm do that. Allways make sure you are happy with your items if you arn't they might not also. Keep your word on shipping times and dates and don't be afraid to try new things. Meet tons of moms and get to know them not just sell to them. Be happy:angie

~*~Seeking*Simplicity~*~ · 02-27-2004, 09:45 PM

since i saw adding a freebie such as soap mentioned, I want to say:

If you are sending a free soap PLEASE make it a delicately (and preferrable naturally!) scented one! stongly scented soaps (Nag champa for one that stands most vividly in my mind, LOL) are horrible for those of us with allergies. Giving a soap that gives your customer a headache &/or an asthma attack is not the best way to get a repeat customer LOL

I know that one could be allergic to just about anything, but really strong scents are more likely to cause problems.

(and getting stuff in the mail [esp NEW stuff!] that smells like smoke sucks!)

Ms. Frizzle · 02-27-2004, 10:26 PM

I love Freebies! Thats one of the main reasns I keep going back to LD's. Free baby wipes with every order

Lots of pictures and an easy to navigate site are also a big turn on.
Plus I love it when there are sales on shipping.

Turns offs..when there are only one or two payment meathods, and when you get a reply to a question and it's very short and to the point and cold, kwim?

Momof6 · 02-27-2004, 10:35 PM

1. Quality control on the product. Make sure you are asking a fair price for a good product.

2. Please accept personal checks from those of us with good feedback! I've had to go to big businesses for some items that Amity mamas would not sell due to my paying w/personal check. (even with my feedback being excellent)

3. Most of all...customer service!! Find out what mamas here have top notch customer service and maybe pick their brains about what it is that they do to make their service outstanding.

4. Prompt shipping. No excuses. After getting payment, get that thing in the mail right away!!

Michelle

Nutmeg · 02-27-2004, 10:52 PM

I am suprised that people keep asking for free gifts. I think that the wahm's that do a good job with shipping and communication, as well as a good product, that in itself is fabulous! Land's End never sends me extras LOL!

I just know the time it takes to make custom orders, to keep orders straight, all the while trying to mom too. I mean I love getting some washies or soap too but I don't see it as something that would make me return or not return. I don't think it's necessary for an established business. Maybe to get started it's a good reminder, but honestly a good product stands for itself.

I say ship when you say you are going to ship. Stand behind your product 100%. I like a delivery confirmation number too. As far as a website goes, NO popups. I usually will click right off if they come up.

Meg

chasecrossing · 02-27-2004, 11:29 PM

Please post your prices near the item or description. I have been on WAHM sites where I actually have to put the item in my shopping cart to find out how much it is. Arrrrggg!
THAT'S MY BIGGY!

Don't send "like items". If I ordered the blue cars w/ green background, don't send purple cars w/orange background...If that's what I wanted, I would have ordered it! (or if you run out, at least email and ask first!)

~April

amey · 02-27-2004, 11:50 PM

I'm not a wahm, but I have a question about shipping info having run a couple of co-ops. I ship priority and use the USPS site for postage. From there it lets me send the receiver an email with the DC number. Is that satisfactory? I tend to also post on the yahoogroup when packages are sent, but I don't email people individually besides (other than those who have had big orders that went thru Airborne since I had to manually send them a tracking number).

My thoughts on WAHM business:

*I'm gonna agree with Meg that freebies are nice but not necessary.
*If my package is late/you forgot about me/whatever is holding it up: Do NOT delay my package more by adding free stuff to it (the "oh I'm so sorry, I'll give you another diaper for free" that ends up adding ANOTHER week to my already late package).
*I don't expect chit chatty emails. They're nice, but I'm okay with just a polite note. So don't feel you need to set aside hours for me

Just "thanks for your order, your total is XXX. " is fine.
*Gimme business cards. Throw in at least 2. I file them, and sometimes I carry a couple for things I LOVE in case someone asks.

*I think a reasonable shipping estimate should be posted on your site ("we ship instock within 72 hours").
*I think it is reasonable that you have "business hours." But for those of us who sometimes forget that wahms aren't sitting on their hands waiting on my business, you could mention on your "contact us" page if you "close for the weekend" so I don't think my email's in the void.
*Clear pictures. Also, I hate it when you can click on a picture thinking it will get bigger and all it does is open that same sized picture in a new window.
*Dimensions for your items. I bought something that I thought was far bigger than it was in actuality. My fault for not asking, of course. But I'd seen the same thing many other places about twice the size (and similarly priced).

~amey

mom2wildgirls · 02-28-2004, 01:28 PM

Ok like the person said before me how the heck do you get that picture to go away when you click on a picture to see it bigger how the heck do you make it go bigger not show another small one of the same picture? I hate that too and my ewbist keeps doing it or it will say like carebear diaper underneath it and you click it and it's a picture of something else from my store,urgggggggg,seriuos help needed,lol. Also should I add dc to each order for I don't pay for it myself so should it be a must that each buyer get it or just add it into the prices?angie