I'm at an emotional, moral, rational and were I not an anti theist, spiritual crossroads. Here's my quandary:
Our store receives a dozen calls (at least) every week for a particular product that we don't carry. This product is sold nearly everywhere. However, our town of nearly 100,000 people has no current dealers of this product. Seems like a no brainer, these are one of the most well known shoes on the market today. The rub is though, I have alway hated this product, and most folks that know me know how I feel about this product. A very well respected member of the footwear community, asked me a few weeks ago why I hated this product so much. For the wordy, bullshitter I usually am, I really didn't have a good response: Well, uh, they're ugly and um, I think they aren't all that good for your feet. He explained to me how great they were for certain uses and I couldn't disagree. So should I flip flop on this issue? If I don't, I'm possibly missing out on big sales of a product that actually fits in well with many of the other styles we carry. If we do, then I've got a complete QUAGMIRE of styles and accessories to go through. Oh well, better get back to my other pre-season ordering!
Yes - please get back to your preseason ordering! Have a great weekend.
Posted by: Mike S | September 06, 2007 at 11:31 PM
Don't Do it!!! True, they are great for certain uses. But in 25 years, you may look back on this and remember how you staunchly took a position, then ....
FOLDED.
Perhaps only sell the accessories? (if so, then sell the BEST you can find)
I just think it's admirable to hold your position. I'm sure you've already done this, but perhaps looking at their future line might help you in your decision. Or, if you like the direction, carry only products from the future line. In the meantime, current (product to remain nameless) aren't worth bending for. I wish I could underline and punctuate and add flourish, but text is all I have.
Seriously it's not a huge deal, but at the end of the day, 'one to a grave' and all that, if it doesn't make a significant impact to your bottom line, don't give in.
It's the little things in life.
Not that it matters but: I will personally be SO IMPRESSED if you hold out, but I'll still be a fan if the bottom line makes a difference, you can always come back from the dark side.
-em
Posted by: Emily McCabe | September 09, 2007 at 06:06 PM
ok. wait. if you carry the products, I'd be sad. people can get the product online if they want it so bad. OR you can carry the product, but put a giant sign in front of the display area reminding all who enter that you are carrying the product "under duress" or "under protest" or some such clear visual statement. Not everybody can have good taste, therefore if the people have spoken... well. you know. As much as I love to think otherwise, I'm sure I would have caved long before now. you've done an admirable job. 'go you' --em
Posted by: Emily McCabe | September 09, 2007 at 06:15 PM
You WHORE! j/k!
I'll still adore you and eat your BBQ'd goods if you decide to Cheney it! Its a business decision after all, not real life. :) That flip flop video was the SHITE!
Posted by: Amy | September 10, 2007 at 09:55 PM
Wow, no dealers and 100,000 people...
Instead of carrying them you should call the sales manager (ex rep type) and tell him to get out from behind that big desk in Colorado and start pounding on his reps to get out and work the territory. I am totally shocked you do not have atleast 50 dealers in a town that size and if I owned stock I would be pissed.
We bought them early, I saw them as a backpackers camp shoe and I bailed when they opened 600 Hallmark stores instead of filling the orders we had been waiting for.
For the record though, we do try to seperate the products we sell from those people come in and just buy, it is a slippery slope. As another Anti Theist perhaps we could make a bumper sticker that says would God have worn them...
If we all try, maybe we can kill the beast.
Posted by: Todd | September 25, 2007 at 03:05 PM