Source: Uploaded by user via Pam on Pinterest

Don't forget to like us on Facebook and receive 10% off your first purchase of $20 or more.https://www.facebook.com/PookiesPlayhouse

Starting a new business is always an exciting adventure. It is also extremely costly. We would love it if you vote for Pookie's Playhouse in the Love a local business contest. The winnings would certainly go a long way to improving the services we offer to you our valued customer!

Powered by Love a Local Business.

Pookie's Playhouse recently received an email from a Facebook friend with a few questions regarding how we conduct certain aspects of the business. We have received overwhelmingly positive support from the community,family and friends. While our business decisions are private we do want our customers to know we appreciate their opinion and we do take it seriously and consider it when making decisions. The name of our friend has been omitted. We are sharing the questions because we know others may have the same or similar questions. The following is my response to the writer. T Good morning ________! Thank you for your input! I read your message and I want you to know we appreciate that you have taken the time to give us your opinion. I would like to address some of your questions. Question #1. " Do you ever consider consignment?" Answer #1: When starting a business, one of the very first things is to develop a business plan and mission statement. Consideration of consigning was part of this process. We decided we wanted to support local artists who have a craft and make unique, one of a kind articles. This would be done on a trial basis. So to answer that question, yes we do consignment in that capacity. These great items are pictured on our page. Question #2. "That (Consignment) might work well with bigger ticket items people might feel like they get a better deal?" Answer #2. Our primary mission is to provide clean, quality items to you our customer in a kid friendly, clean environment, close to home, that reduces our and your carbon footprint on the environment. We included on a trial basis, purchasing from customers to provide another option to you. This service can be discontinued or suspended if the trial period shows it to be more of a liability than asset. Consignment on a large scale bases, as you say for " bigger ticket items" for a Sole Proprietorship is simply not a good business decision. Most consignment stores charge a space fee plus %, to point out a couple of issues that can impact both parties. One important reason it is done that way is because the shop owner is assuming all of the financial risk, rent,insurance and such. We have done our homework on this because it is important to us that we be fair. As stated in our "How it Works" policy, we are a Sole Proprietorship, ran by the owner and volunteer stake holders. We can't compete with Craigslist, ebay, or larger franchised stores up the road. We encourage you to try those options first, or if you feel the offered price is low. Again we want you as a customer! We don't want to alienate you. Topic # 3. " your hours are not so friendly" Answer # 3. We realize our hours don't fit everyones schedule. Unfortunately, the owner and the volunteers all have paying jobs LOL that pay the bills and their employers can't make accommodation of their schedules a priority. #4. I hope I am understanding your statement regarding " Some love not charity could go a long way." Answer #4. We love this community very much. Everyone involved in this process has been a longtime, up to 30 year resident, working in the local hospital as an RN caring for children, adults and grandparents in their time of need, watching some die, watching some born. We have attended local schools and colleges, volunteered in the community and supported local merchants by choosing them instead of a franchise when we can. We are a contributing member to this wonderful town, not a large corporation ran by a CEO who resides in another state or country. We have made countless friends during these past 30 years in a community that spans a 100 mile radius. They enrich our lives. This leads to #5 your last and perhaps most important question. " Why should I mention you to my clients? ". The answer to that question I believe is found in the above, all of those things and more. Also if you were working with a franchise or corporation, you would most likely not receive the type of response I have just given to you. It most likely would have been a canned answer from an automated machine or someone without a vested interest in you or the company they work for. I hope you will come in and see our store for yourself. We want your business, We always appreciate our customers support and feel very blessed to be a member of this community. Our business is just 3mo. old. We are growing and are still in our infancy. It takes a good 1-2 years for a business to grow its reputation and become seamless with service delivery. We are confident the outcome will be positive. Thank you again for your input!