There is a HUGE company called BuySafe that offers protection for you - the customer. I am sure you have heard of them before because they are on a number of the big retailers websites. They basically give insurance to you the customer except - we are going to pay for your insurance :)
Let me explain...
If we purchase this service, you will be guaranteed the following:
- $500 Purchase Guarantee – a third party guarantee of the terms of sale
- $10,000 ID Theft Protection – comprehensive identity theft coverage
- $100 Lowest Price Guarantee – if the store price drops within 30 days of a purchase
$500 Purchase Guarantee - Get what you paid for, or your money back. All the terms of sale for your purchase are guaranteed, including product authenticity, up to $500.
So if we don't take care of you, BuySafe will. Now, based on our track record.. you know we will totally hook you up but, this is just a back up insurance :))
Identity Theft Protection. - Comprehensive ID theft coverage for 30 days. Your identity is protected and you have access to free professional ID theft remediation services for the next 30 days. Coverage applies for all online and offline identity theft, wherever it occurs.
We pay more than the average hosting fees for our website because we use Yahoo. Yahoo is VERY secure and we want to protect your information. Again, this is a back up plan for you... our customer.
Lowest Price Guarantee for 30 days. If the price at this store drops within 30 days of your purchase, we'll pay you the difference, up to $100 per transaction and up to a maximum of $200 per claimant in any twelve-month period.
This is the part I personally LOVE the best. I hate it when I buy something and 2 weeks later it goes on sale.
OR
I wait for it to go on sale and by the time it does, what I was waiting for is gone.
This would protect our customers of having that same problem.
Here is where I need your help.
Before I go and purchase this "insurance," is this something that you would want to see on our website?
Again, you would NOT have to pay for anything extra. I just would really love your opinion :))
Thank you everyone!
OH!! We got in 5 more boxes from Moda today so watch your email for a new newsletter coming soon :))
From: Nicole
P.S. Have you signed up for our newsletter? We send you the latest updates on new products and giveaways!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
If it is going to cost you more, I don't think it would be worth it. For some sites I worry about the sale, but certainly not with you. The idea that getting the sale price if it is not on sale when I buy is appealing, but not that important in the long run. Of course, I don't buy bulk quantities. If I did, the "sale guarantee" might be more enticing.
I think as a new customer, and not knowing you from Twitter, it may be a selling point. That's one of the reasons I love PayPal!
That my 2 cents. ;D
I don't really think it's worth it. I can see something like that being useful for a company that sells products that may or may not work, might be damaged in shipping, and are more high $$. While we all know that quilters spend a lot of money on fabric, the chances of it getting damaged in shipping or not working correctly when it arrives are minimal. :) Paypal and most credit cards offer the same guarantees. How about if you just offered the sale guarantee to your customers without the additional service? I'd be willing to bet that most of your customers would never even ask for the money back, but would be assured that they could if they wanted to. I'd rather see you spend that extra money on new products, sales, giveaways, and extra goodies!
I agree with the above two comments. It is not worth it for you to spend the extra money, when you would give us the shirt off your back if asked! lol Paypal protects us for security on transactions. You give so much away, that I would not want you to spend the money for this added protection.
I agree with the others, it's a lovely thought, but I'd prefer you spend your money on other things, I already know I'm going to get the best deal possible from you I don't need a third party company to ensure it.
I agree! Why pay another company for something you can do for yourself?
I honestly wouldn't pay for it, Shawna. You use a secure server and, as Laine said, any new customer with any concerns can use Paypal which offers good buyer protection. Credit cards also offer backup security.
Many years ago I used a storecard that offered a lowest price guarantee. I seem to remember that I had to jump through hoops when I made my claim (over several pairs of expensive boots, lol - those were the days!). Who oversees the guarantee? Would it mean a lot of extra admin work for you every time you have a sale? You already offer great prices and fabulous customer service. Any possible new customer can find glowing feedback with just a few clicks.
My personal opinion is that 'buysafe' would be an unnecessary business expense for you :)
I agree with the above. I use Paypal for online purchases, and they 'protect' me, so the buysafe seems like redundancy for you, because it's already being done. I do like the sale guarantee, however.
I am going to purchase the fabrics, etc anyway. If I miss out on a sale, I will catch another one down the line. It sounds like an extra expense and additional work for you and I would rather that time be spent looking for the greatest fabrics you can offer the customers. I also don't want the prices to increase because of an insurance expense.
I'm answering as a customer first: I love that you accept PayPal, and I figure that independent shop owners in a crafty arena need to rely on good customer service because there are lots of places where we can complain publicly about bad service or lousy cutting etc. (Did I mention my order was perfect & lovely & I have no complaints?) As far as a later sale, I don't think about it. If I bought fabric at X price one week, and it went on sale the next week I would just be glad it was already in my hot little hands (or the sewing machine ;)). As a small business owner, I also use yahoo for my e-commerce site and I know how secure they are, so I now trust your site even more (I didn't know it was a yahoo site when I purchased). As far as the insurance portion, I think it would be helpful for companies that drop ship rather than a company who ships direct. From both sides of things, I'm not sure its an investment that will pay off for you.
Shawna, I honestly don't think you need it with the safeguards that you have in place. You are also growing customers that are also loyal friends not just customers.
Only if it would give you piece of mind would I invest in it.
Pam Smothermon
I totally agree with all that has been said -- save your money. We all know what great service you provide, just add all these endorsements to your web page for any potential new customers who might be leary.
As far as the sale insurance-- we all make the decision when we purchase as to whether or not we want to wait for the fabric to go on sale and chance it will be gone or
whether we have to have it now.
My advice: keep doing what you are doing because you've got it right so far!!
Jayne Snowdale
Yep, I'm right there with the rest of the answers! It is an extra cost for you. When I had my shop, if someone brought in proof from another shop showing a lower price than what I charged, I just refunded them the few dollars! It's cheap advertising!
Teri Reymann
All of the above comments make very good points... I always use PayPal; it's worth the extra they charge me to know I'm selling to a verified seller; and as a buyer, to know they've completely verifed the seller.
You already have a very loyal and trusting fan base of customers; I don't think this extra insurance is worth it. You're doing great as it is :)
Ditto here! Save your money.
I would buy the fabric anyway and get such wonderful service when buying from you that I am SO not worried about getting a better price. You are so good to your customers it doesn't matter!
Loyally yours,
I agree with the other comments. It is not needed. Save your money.
Can I just say that you ladies did more than give me your input. Ladies, you gave me so much more than that. You gave me the biggest smile, the biggest warmth in my heart, and most of all....you have brought me to tears.
I opened this store because I was tired of not being appreciated for all the fabric I was buying. I wanted all of you to feel like buying fabric was fun AND you were appreciated.
Thank you thank you thank you.
You are SO appreciated and loved and if I could reach through and hug each one of you...I would!!
Shawna
Hi Shawna,
I am very over trusting in general (even of the internet) but if there was a problem with my purchase I know you would fix it for me- the rest should be sufficiently covered by yahoo/paypal. etc. As for the price guarantee- that's nice but I'm not sure it would be worth the price to you. Thanks for asking!
I love your store. You offer great value and customer service. Your excellent reputation is being spread through happy customers in blog land. I am impressed that you are a good online quilt community member and support worthy causes and excellent blogs with merchandise giveaways.
I feel that this service is an unnecessary expense for you. I appreciate the fact that you considered using this service for the benefit of your customers, but in my opinion it is not necessary. Don't lay out extra funds to fix something that isn't broken.
Don't waste your precious profits. I previously ran a small business, and there is no end of others trying to take your hard-earned money from you. Continue giving quality customer service and you will have no problem. And thanks for the goodies you sent with my order!
I'm not sure how necessary it is but I think it may help people who are still uncomfortable or unused to buying online, if they pay with paypal they're mostly protected anyways.
I'm now a follower of your blog. Thanks for the chance to win.
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