Why I don't have Cyber Monday Deals

I'm not against sales. I LOVE a good sale. I'm out on Black Friday every year whether I need/want anything or not just to enjoy looking at all the madness that is available. Well, that and Joanne Fabrics. I haven't hoarded nearly enough flannel over the years.

However, for Bubbly Creations, I choose not to have a yearly sale to try and drive up my figures during the holiday season. Here is why:

It's not because I don't want to give my customers good deals during the spendy season. I am thrilled when people use my soap as gifts and stocking stuffers.

It's because I want to give my customers good deals all year.

I have priced my soap at "very reasonable" for handmade soap. If you shop around, ounce for ounce, Bubbly Creations Soap is a very good deal at approximately $1 per ounce, especially when you consider that each bar is over 5 ounces. Technically, it's less than $1 per ounce, but I'm too lazy to calculate the actual cost and there can be variables. It's always at least 5 oz. VERY likely more. Good deal, right? I think so. I've seen 3 and 4 oz bars sell for $8 to $11.

I don't think I would buy soap for $11 per bar unless it also folded laundry. Actually, lets make the fantasy soap put the laundry away. I fail at that.  In reality, that same bar would likely look very attractive at 50% off on Cyber Monday.

In other words, I don't want to mark up my soap just to mark it down later. Handmade soap is a wonderful thing. Like all wonderful things, I want people to be able to afford it. While I still need to cover my expenses, I also want you to feel like Bubbly Creations Soap is a good deal all year round. Not just for gift giving occasions.

So I'm sure you understand that if I were to lower my already low prices to get your holiday dollar, I'd put myself out of business. That won't work for anyone!

Horrifying. Just, Horrifying

My Coworker has a sister who tried and liked my soap. Hooray!

She ordered more in June.

I got the order today. Since she had planned to pay by check, I didn't get the notification from PayPal, and for some reason, I didn't get the usual "you have an order" email that I usually get from my webhost.

One of the two bars was supposed to be a gift.

I feel like a total jerk.

I'll be sending the bars to her house complimentary today. I sent her an email apologizing for the mix up. I would LIKE to talk to her sister about it, but really? It's not her business to tell me everything will be okay because this is a business transaction that has nothing to do with her.

So off the soap goes today, and hopefully I will save the customer. I think, since she likes the Summer Sun that I will send a bar of Lemongrass too for her to try.

It's serious butt kissing time.

And I learned, that I need to check my "recent orders" section daily. Just in case I miss one. I CAN blame my host for that, but honestly? It's my responsibility!

I hope this one has a good end. If not, it's still a good lesson.