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Post Number: 1
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nattiejean27
Group: Members
Posts: 54
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Aug. 28 2003,7:17 pm |
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All right ladies of this forum. Now that I mentioned what store I owned, I want your opinion. I guess I was a little naive on my view of empowering the women of this area by opening up a store of this nature. My "gifts" are more on the risque side of things - if ya know what I mean *nudge nudge wink wink*. What holds you back from coming into stores like this? Don't get me wrong, I get a lot of women in here, but not as many as I hoped or want. In most circumstances wives/girlfriends send in their husbands/boyfriends for items that they need, while they sit out in the car. I am still on this mission for women empowerment this way in my life (with or without the store here) and would like to know ways to be more effective in reaching out to women that may be embarrassed or hopefully curious, but take no action for themselves. I feel that women NEED some of the items I carry in order to have a more fulfilled and satisfying sex life. We all know it takes a lot more work for women on this end than it does for men (saying there is no medical issues going on for the men).
Anyone of you gals willing to post in here and inform me of what your opinions/suggestions are? It would like to hear all ends of the spectrum on this one - whether opposed, totally for, or even just curious...
One misconception I get is that people come in and wanting to talk to my 'boss' and who HE is or what GUY owns this store? LOL I get quite a shocked look from most everyone that finds out it's little old me and the HE they are looking for doesn't exist (except for my hubby, but that's not the HE they are looking for anyway).
I realize this topic might be a little taboo and more on the risque side, but hey, what can I say? It is my business and what I do!!
Any men want to participate on this one, please feel free too. I'd appreciate any kind of enlightenment!
-------------- "Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please." -Mark Twain
"The United States is a nation of laws: badly written and randomly enforced." -Frank Zappa
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Post Number: 2
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GEOKARJO
Google This!!!
Group: Members
Posts: 7799
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Aug. 28 2003,7:32 pm |
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I agree women are intimidated by my back room I have cameras in there and when I watch couples look at my inventory it brings them a little closer together. They don't always buy something but they do take each other into there arms and give a affectionate hug, I know leaving here they both have the samething in mind.
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Post Number: 3
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nattiejean27
Group: Members
Posts: 54
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Aug. 28 2003,7:37 pm |
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I so get the same thing too. A lot of the couple's have made me smile while spotting them doing this on my cameras. It's cute to see it happen so often. And yes, I'm sure they do have the same thing on their mind - explains the pink cheeks and permi-grins.
-------------- "Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please." -Mark Twain
"The United States is a nation of laws: badly written and randomly enforced." -Frank Zappa
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Post Number: 4
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jimhanson
Group: Moderator
Posts: 8491
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Aug. 28 2003,7:52 pm |
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I haven't been in either your store or Prinzing's new store, but I think there may be something he did right--but unplanned!
I have no verification, but one of Prinzing's guys told me the new store in Rochester has 40% women visiting--one of the unexpected benefits of having to take the "harder" stuff out for a while. As I understand it, the standard of the industry is that if 25% or less of your business--measured by sales, square footage, or displays--is "hard", it is defensible in court. One of the "Unintended Consequences" of the morality police was to make stores LARGER to meet these tests--and the store found a new market--WOMEN!
According to the source, they had a lot of couples, a lot of "Batchelorette" parties, etc. coming to the store. I think it helps that it was newly remodeled, and stands by itself, next to a well-traveled road--compared to city zoning requirements in many cities that SOBs be located in "less desireable" parts of town. I think women feel safe patronizing the store--also, since it is free-standing and not downtown, they don't have to worry who might see them coming and going ("and going, and coming, and ALWAYS TOO SOON! ).
Merchandise varies, I'm told, from "Frederic's of Minnesota" to "hard" merchandise, and people can shop at the level they are comfortable with. As I said, just good merchandising, good location, and even Mal doesn't claim credit for it. Sometimes it is better to be lucky. Good Luck to you!
-------------- "If you want to anger a Conservative, tell him a lie. If you want to anger a LIBERAL, tell him the TRUTH!"
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Post Number: 5
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GEOKARJO
Google This!!!
Group: Members
Posts: 7799
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Aug. 28 2003,7:59 pm |
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I have to honestly say I have more women customers than I have men due to the fact I cater to the bachorlet party more than anything else
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Post Number: 6
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minnow
Group: Members
Posts: 2243
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Aug. 28 2003,8:40 pm |
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What the hay do you twos do...own adult stores of some kind?
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Post Number: 7
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Mamma
Group: Members
Posts: 1474
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Aug. 28 2003,8:50 pm |
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I think for me it would be the embarrassment factor of knowing that people would see my car outside of your store. I have a distinctive car. If you had been located in a mall, I think I may have ventured in and checked it all out. I think with all the red and black.....it made it almost like an adult bookstore and I didn't want to be caught peeking. I don't feel that intimidation in George's store though....not even in the backroom. I guess I never thought about it before either.
-------------- A conclusion is simply the place where you got tired of thinking.
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Post Number: 8
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Spidey
Group: Members
Posts: 1775
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Aug. 28 2003,10:36 pm |
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nattiejean .. I didn't even know your store existed. What do you sell that makes it so embarrissing for women to go in there? Most of the women I know wouldn't be afraid to walk into an adult store and would be laughing at your post. Perhaps you should have advertised more?
I'm not sure what you mean it "takes a lot more work" for women then it does men. There are all kinds of toys for both sexes.
You said men would come in and buy things while the women sat in the car ... if that's the case you should have still made the sale. What does it matter to you if they come in or not?
I'm finding your post a bit self righteous when you talk about "you" being a women and "everyone" is shocked that you own the store ... or all other women are afraid of sex (old school thinking) except for you ... or that we "need" these items that you sell. Did you ever stop to think that women may be buying somewhere else rather then your store because no one knew you existed? Or maybe these kinds of items are easier purchased over the net or through a catalog because that way they wouldn't have someone watching them thinking they are "cute"? Or .. maybe ... everyone is being sexually satisfied with their partners? Or all of the above?
You seem to have a very old school way of thinking .. I'm surprised to hear you came from the cities. Which makes me wonder ... why would you move a business like an adult store "from" the cities to a town like Albert Lea in the first place? Of course you will have less sales.
GEOKARJO .. the last time I was in your store I didn't even know you had a back room. I saw shelves that were dividing the room a bit ... on the other side there were adult funny cards and some joke things, but that was about it. Where is your "back room"? I've noticed all of the computers when I walk by ... what's that all about? Sorry ... haven't been in there in light years. I thought maybe the store changed hands.
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Post Number: 9
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GEOKARJO
Google This!!!
Group: Members
Posts: 7799
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Aug. 28 2003,11:59 pm |
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Hi Spidy we opened the web-room accross from the court house in Jan. 2000 moved to the mall in the food court in jun of 2000 it only took 6 months to see I could not attract people because of lack of parking.
In june 2001 we bought and move our business into the Family Fun the first thing I did was move the shelf and build a backroom with a door on it, next to our check out.
We brought in much more in the way of body jewelry, tees, OTH, darts, pool sticks, table accesories, we provide dial up and high speed dial up internet, build and repair computers, we are an audit firm for a charitable gaming association, I transfer vhs to dvd, 8 mill film to vhs, to dvd, photo reproduction, computer sales, web design, and our unique gifts, lingerie, game boards, and so much more.
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Post Number: 10
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Spidey
Group: Members
Posts: 1775
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Aug. 29 2003,12:23 am |
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Wow ... sounds like there is a lot more in your store now. I'm think'in I need to make a pit stop there to check things out ... sounds kind of fun. You mentioned charitable gaming association .. I wonder if you don't know a friend of mine ... hmmm .... Gets you thinking how many of us know each other. Things that make you go hmmmmmmmm
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