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i received a copy of the marshall coppin catalogue today after a phone call that i placed requesting one.

 

what a damn dissappointment!!!!!!! :shock:

 

i have no idea why they bothered sending me something that is listed as the year 2001 edition, some of the stuff in it isn't even made anymore and it's obviously lacking new materials and goods (such as the 120 pin toppieces and the various available sizes and styles) which have been made available to us since 2001.

 

it went straight into the bin after i'd read it. :evil:

 

dammit!

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It is extremely expencive to do a colour catalogue rick, that's why yer dont get a new one each year.

Cant see why they dont do an update insert though, as that can be done on a copy machine for peanuts.

 

In these very difficult times for shoe manufacturing many component manufacturers are going bust, or changing production to more profitable lines as the manufacturing goes to the far east. It therefore is very much more difficult to obtain or keep a product going year after year as there is very little made in the UK now.

My bible is the Gotz catalogue but those are like hens teeth nowadays.

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I see you point - but a five year old catalogue with things changing the way they are?

I often think this is why there seams to be winners and losers of all sizes in our trade. the ones that keep up :P and the ones that don't :cry:

 

perhaps they should have ordered a few less in 2001, and updated it with a by-yearly ie 2006/07

 

Lee

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Like the Wine Lee, 2001 was a bad year, it wouls have taken a very knowledgable man or woman to have forcast what the situation of today would be like (Old Moores Almanac does not cover She Repairs).

 

Shoe factories closed like they had the Plague.

Component manufacturers closed along with the shoe factories.

Wholesalers no longer able to obtain components that have been stocked for many years.

Timpson buy-out of Minit affected Wholesalers, as Multiples buy up the Individuals then there is less trade for the Wholesaler.

 

Could you have predicted the volume of Stiletto's that you are doing today?

Costings for catalogues are astonomical that's why some dont even bother to get one published. Quantities bring down the price per catalogue so I would have though that they made predictions for demand spanning 3 years. How on earth could they have realised what was around the corner after laying down megabucks for that catalogue.

Birch suffered a similiar problem, they produced a fine catalogue but could not follow through with changes for many years due the the high costings. The business is not there in the volume required to publish glossies that look nice and are very useful but dont bring in the extra business to justify production runs of this magnitude.

Small and simple has to be the answer and I dont see why they have to get ouside publishers, with digital Cameras and a Computer/Printer they can do their own in-house catalogue as loose sleeved inserts to go into a hard back cover. (they could also charge for all or part of the catalogue).

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Guest Raymate

i used to work for marshall coppin and the catalogue you have took many months to complete then so it was already out of date when it was produced

 

i will not use marshal coppin for personall reasons but but i have a catalogue and it is useless surely it would be easier for supplies to have an online catalogue

 

they only need to produce one and updating would be easy

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An on-line catalugue would be ideal for those with computers but do all reairers ahve computers and how long will it take to identify a product with the customer in the shop (sorry luv my machine has crashed again can you come back tomorrow).

 

This method would be ideal if you can get someone with web design to to make it up and control it, adding a shopping trolly cuts out paperwork and allows for instant payment for those who cant get an account.

 

This again is a very costly and time consuming exercise, would the increased business justify the outlay. At the end of the day it's all about profitability.

I can remember doing 1000 pairs of stilettos a week 500 or so leather soles (2 Goodyears in operation) and had a staff of 12. Can't remember ever seeing a Catalouge.

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i agree on most of your points fellas but surely if they don't advertise properly then they're only setting up a never ending cycle with customer loss=less profits=less profits for new catalogue=no proper catalogue=less new and current customers.

 

marshall coppin have certainly lost out on my trade as i've never dealt with them before and i'm not likely to as i don't have the time to be phoning up all the time asking if they have this or that.

 

an online idea would be great, the extra trade generated would probably offset a large part of the cost.

most shoe repairers have a computer these days too, most of 'em need them for their computerised gadgets so the majority shouldn't have to suffer for the minority, as for identifying goods where the customer is concerned, then surely it would still be easier than having to phone 'em?

 

anyway, that's my ramble done with.

 

rick.

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I can see the frustration there Rick, but in an ever changing material situation it can be dificult and costly to keep us all updated.

 

I pefer the Rep but today's Rep aint there to help you obtain what you need, if at all you get to see one. The emphasis is on shifting stock in volume and minor components such as Tingles, Wooden Pegs, Bottom Stain in various shades do not enter into the brain of a modern Rep having obtained a certificate in Merchandising or Sales Management at the Colledge of life.

 

I much prefer a Rep who has been a trades person and knows the ins and outs of our business. Ask the Dolly bird or the Suit if they have any Pigs Bristles and see the expression on their faces. (not that I know what a pigs bristle is mind you, I'm much too young). :wink:

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which companies have "dolly birds" as reps we just get short fat blokes

 

 

 

i have play boy reps in ,every day in my shop..............might b due to my parlo de canio good looks.ray lol :lol:

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There must be something about you Raymate that attracts short fat blokes, you are obviously a magnet for their attention. You're not using that well known anti aging product "Oil of U-Lay" (WD40 just aint the same).

 

What is your view on these short fat men? do they fulfill your requirements, are they proficiant in what they do, do they produce the goods, do the follow up queries, do they sort out any problems with past delivery anomolies?

 

In essence, does Short Fat Harry do a better job than Long Tall Sally (no reference to existing reps of those or a similiar names ).

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Guest Raymate

got to be honest most of our reps do actually do a good job

 

the guy from securikey safes visits every 6 weeks and we have never once bought anything off him

 

charles birch rep seems to know his stuff and we always get credited for returns

 

and chris bateman from sks is a top bloke

 

but if they could bring a good looking bird with them perhaps!

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Guest Raymate
which companies have "dolly birds" as reps we just get short fat blokes

 

 

 

i have play boy reps in ,every day in my shop..............might b due to my parlo de canio good looks.ray lol :lol:

 

you always was a "pretty boy" karl

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What are "Play Boys" Ray? does he mean those "Boys"?

 

Pleased to hear that you are satisfied with the Rep situation, I was under thge general impression that all was not as should be on the Wholesale side of the trade.

 

Perhaps you might try asking the short fat male Reps to wear Mini Skirts and get the best of both worlds!!!

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