Thursday, January 28, 2010

Scalamandre Online Selling and Buying


I get many a request for a Scalamandre quote on a fabric. At some point, when I have not heard back, I will follow up to see if my webclient is still interested. Not. The most common feedback is: "I bought from someone else below wholesale price."

Impossible.

These webclients have purchased from either eBay sellers or online "stores" that have warehouses. I am not a store, a warehouse, nor, am I selling you counterfeit fabrics. I buy only through our showroom accounts. It is the showrooms who send you cuttings and the fabrics. Never me.

Example: If it's a high end look you are seeking......because you have good taste............ you already will know how Scalamandre pillows are going to be complimenting the rest of your project compared to a flawed Calico Corners pillows.

Ask yourself this: Why would any seller purchase from Scalamandre at wholesale and sell it for less than wholesale? Where is the money in that?-!! The only explanation is: It is counterfeit textiles marketed under the Scalamandre label.

Counterfeit textiles is a big "knock off" market on the Internet today. Not only do you run the risk of not knowing the real nature of the fabric, but you could run into side effects too. The fabric may contain harmful dyes which may be allergenic or even carcinogenic. Some textiles require certain fire-retardant treatments whcih many not be utilized, or lesser quality treatments may be used. The general public may not be aware of the consequesces of purchasing and subsequently exposing themselves to these counterfeit textiles.

How savvy of a shopper are you? Are you seeking the various avenues online and "bricks and mortar" locations for Scalamandre?


"Unfortunately, these avenues aren't always honest. It doesn't matter if they are truly unaware, doing it on purpose, are naive or just don't care."

"eBay, as the biggest venue for selling, has a program called VeRO. This program allows for the protection of the owner of the property. This means the authentic owner, not the person selling the item. When an item is listed as being Scalamandre, the reporting tool they provides, lets Scalamandre immediately tell VeRO that there is something wrong with the listing. Normally, there are only tow reasons. One is that someone is selling an item that is a copy of one of Scalamandre products and the other is that they don't make the item at all. Scalamandre loves VeRO."

Of course, VeRO doesn't stop the Seller from selling to you. Have you been teased by the eBay name, "buyitbeforemyhusbandcomeshome" for a "must have" Scalamandre fabric? Best advise I can give is DELETE-!

The smart buyer will question any Scalamandre fabric being sold on eBay or online businesses who have their own warehouses filled with "purchased from the mills." Remember, it is you who has come to me. I have no inventory, so I have nothing to sell you until you ask. Then, I call my showroom account.

People....designers too........have begun to question Scalamandre lines being sold to them lately. Take the designers who have been walking into stores and making purchases of items marked as Scalamandre for their clients and later have gone into a Scalamandre showroom to try and purchase additional yardage. It is at this point, the designers find out they made a bad purchase.




My motto: You get what you paid for.

A la prochaine,
Denise
discountdesigerfabricsonline.com

Friday, January 15, 2010

SOS 4 Haiti

Who can say it better than "Things That Inspire" so from her blog to you:


"Things That Inspire



Taking Action
Posted: 15 Jan 2010 05:36 AM PST
When a disaster such as the earthquake in Haiti occurs, it is of critical importance that those who can help take action.
Please consider making a donation to help the organizations that have mobilized to provide assistance to Haiti. Even a $10 donation would be incredibly helpful! As so many of the donations pouring in are made through credit card, American Express and Visa just announced that they will waive the fees on donations.

American Express will waive the fees through the end of February to these charitable funds established specifically to respond to the devastation in Haiti:
http://www.interaction.org/crisis-list/earthquake-haiti
Visa will also waive all fees related to donations to Haiti relief organizations.

This means that 100% of your contribution will go to the charitable funds.

InterAction is the largest coalition of US based international nongovernmental organizations that are focused on the world's poorest and most vulnerable people, and includes the American Red Cross, Oxfam, Unicef, the United Way, and Habitat for Humanity (as well as dozens of additional organizations)."

$10.00 donation from each reader will go a long way for Haiti.

A la prochaine,
Denise

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Christopher Edwards Fabrics

Hi, I can't believe we are already in the middle of January 2010-!

To start the year off, I was given a huge dosage of fabric education of a new kind. To begin with, I had a web-client last week who needed me to call her. I did and learned of an interesting new fabric, Christropher Edwards. ??????? The woman sounded highly intelligent and she was quite proud of the fact her new dining room windrow treatment would be hanging Christropher Edwards fabric, at the cost of "3 figures" per yard. WOW-! I was clueless who Christropher Edwards fabrics were and wondered what showroom carried this line at The Merchandise Mart, Chicago. After an extensive internet search for Christropher Edwards fabrics (and NO showroom carries it at "The Mart") I came across a blog, Bluemlein alerting his readers against this line. What an education Bluemlein gave me-!

First, let's understand one thing............Christropher Edwards fabrics are NOT "To-the-trade" for designers but apparently sold in Boca Bargoons stores which created this line. C Edwards has no " DNA of his own." Also, they have a website called Design Diva Fabrics and sell this "line" on it too. Thennnnnnnnn, there is the infamous eBay where honest people go and get stung many a times.

All in all, Bluemlein says this:

"Now, as to the "Christopher Edwards" brand: there is an interesting website that will tell you who owns which brand.

We took the "Christopher Edwards" name to this site, shook it and what do you think fell out:

http://www.findownersearch.com/brand/4113197/:

Brand Name Owner: WOLLSTEIN, CYNTHIA
Address: 17760 Fieldbrook Circle Boca Raton FLORIDA 33496
Description: Fabrics for the manufacture of clothing, upholstery, quilts and curtains

Brands Owned: CHRISTOPHER EDWARDS
TRIMENDLESS "

Soooooooooooooooooo, I ask you:
Why would anyone pay such high-end prices for fabric if it's not "To-the-trade" only?

If you covet a fabric from eBay, or any place on the Internet, do your homework. HOW? Google the line, then, do this: "Christopher Edwards fabrics + The Merchandise Mart." If no showroom pops up, then, delete the ebay seller..............fast.

I purchase for you through designer showrooms where only designers with accounts can go. Obviously, I have accounts. Never will I purchase from a mill. If you buy from those who buy through mills, then, you get what you paid for...........and, BEWARE of price.

The next education Bluemlein gave me will be my next post.

Thank you Bluemelein for posting Christopher Edwards and the education that went along with it.

A la prochaine,
Denise