The annual Free Comic Book Day is upon us soon. It is a worldwide event and it always happens on the first Saturday of May and many shops in many countries take part. As always, I will be helping out at Readers Den in Stadium on Main in Claremont, Cape Town. Last year the event was a lot larger than previous years and this year it is supposed to be even bigger. The best costume contest is being split into three categories this year because there were too many good costumes last year.
http://www.readersden.co.za/shop/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=15
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
New locally made costumes in wrong sizes and related delays
At the end of December 2012, I asked a local company to make selected costumes for me. I did mention my height specifically and I was assured that they fill fit. The costumes turned out not to be as good as I was expecting them to be, especially considering the photos were only of other costumes that they were based upon.
Some of the costumes arrived at the end of January 2013 and the rest was supposed to be about two weeks later. Two of the costumes that arrived and had hands, had the hands wider at the tip of the hand than in the middle and I could get my own hands only halfway in. The fact that there were no individual fingers like the original had, also bothered me quite a bit. This mess practically made it impossible for the person wearing the costume to close it up on the zip or buttons because of seriously restricted use of hands. The costumes were basically not scaled properly since the person who made them was a lot smaller.
The second batch of costumes that I had ordered and were supposed to arrive on 9 February are still being worked on and supposedly redone because of the hands. This means they were also stuffed up. Earliest that I will get them is most likely at the end of the month. My repairs lady was also upset about how the seams were done which means lots of issues later on. Sending photos that are not close enough to how the costumes actually look like, plus the scaling issues and hand issues, is going to ensure that I will skip this particular company in future what getting costumes made concerns. I rather spend the shipping costs and 40% import duties to import costumes again since that will be more worthwhile in the long run.
Some of the costumes arrived at the end of January 2013 and the rest was supposed to be about two weeks later. Two of the costumes that arrived and had hands, had the hands wider at the tip of the hand than in the middle and I could get my own hands only halfway in. The fact that there were no individual fingers like the original had, also bothered me quite a bit. This mess practically made it impossible for the person wearing the costume to close it up on the zip or buttons because of seriously restricted use of hands. The costumes were basically not scaled properly since the person who made them was a lot smaller.
The second batch of costumes that I had ordered and were supposed to arrive on 9 February are still being worked on and supposedly redone because of the hands. This means they were also stuffed up. Earliest that I will get them is most likely at the end of the month. My repairs lady was also upset about how the seams were done which means lots of issues later on. Sending photos that are not close enough to how the costumes actually look like, plus the scaling issues and hand issues, is going to ensure that I will skip this particular company in future what getting costumes made concerns. I rather spend the shipping costs and 40% import duties to import costumes again since that will be more worthwhile in the long run.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
The new flyers are finally printed
The new flyers have finally been printed and have arrived last night. Distribution will be a very interesting issue. Originally there were supposed to be only 1500 flyers printed, they ended up becoming 2300.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
The dilemma with getting better premises for costume hire
As many people will have noticed, my space for hiring out costumes is becoming increasingly smaller over time as well as older. As a result I have the following options and issues:
1. Hire the premises across the road for 8000 Rand (ZAR) per month which my income cannot cover during the quiet months and due to the expensive maintenance. This would also include paying a salary to someone to be there during the day as well as electricity and possibly water as well.
2. Get a bigger replacement for my Wendy House which requires 34000 Rand (ZAR) according to one quote. This is not a possibility right now since I do not want to take out a loan.
3. Should my tenants move out then I could use my current flat for the costumes, but it is a matter of time until that becomes too small.
4. Partner with someone and move everything elsewhere which becomes a problem about who is controlling the stock. Recently that nearly happened, then someone else I know did that with that person and lost most of the stock and money.
5. Get another Wendy House for about 9000 Rand (ZAR) and pay that off over a few months.
To afford some better premises, I need to hire out more which means first to spend more money and time on marketing.
1. Hire the premises across the road for 8000 Rand (ZAR) per month which my income cannot cover during the quiet months and due to the expensive maintenance. This would also include paying a salary to someone to be there during the day as well as electricity and possibly water as well.
2. Get a bigger replacement for my Wendy House which requires 34000 Rand (ZAR) according to one quote. This is not a possibility right now since I do not want to take out a loan.
3. Should my tenants move out then I could use my current flat for the costumes, but it is a matter of time until that becomes too small.
4. Partner with someone and move everything elsewhere which becomes a problem about who is controlling the stock. Recently that nearly happened, then someone else I know did that with that person and lost most of the stock and money.
5. Get another Wendy House for about 9000 Rand (ZAR) and pay that off over a few months.
To afford some better premises, I need to hire out more which means first to spend more money and time on marketing.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Pink bunny photo service
As a minor extension of my costume hire business, I have started advertising services of costumed characters in different poses. Below is such an example where I wear a pink bunny costume with extra padding just to give more character and hopefully a little bit more of a cuteness factor, as well as avoiding that the costume hangs so horribly. This can of course also be extended to have birthday messages or possibly marketing messages, etc.
The service through which I sell this service is very specific in regards to what is being offered, hence this particular service listed is the pink bunny. I have to limit it to generic characters due to copyright reasons.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Starting with costume photo services on Fiverr
A while back, I have started offering costume photo services on Fiverr.com which can be expanded to be videos as well. These services are highly focussed on specific costumes and are more intended for either promotions or birthday wishes or similar things.
At the moment I only offer a pink bunny photo service just to see how this works out. The plan is to add a few more characters to the mix but avoiding any trademarked characters to avoid legal issues. Video will also come in time, but my internet connection needs an upgrade first. Basically anything that fits me of my collection is an option.
At the moment I only offer a pink bunny photo service just to see how this works out. The plan is to add a few more characters to the mix but avoiding any trademarked characters to avoid legal issues. Video will also come in time, but my internet connection needs an upgrade first. Basically anything that fits me of my collection is an option.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Getting ready for Halloween weekend
If this year is anything like the last year, then Halloween weekend will be crazy again. Due to several losses, security problems, thefts and other issues, my finance this year is limited what new costumes for Halloween concerns. The customs import duty of 40% does not help much either.
This year should go smoother due to wireless tablet PC and mobile phone for availability checking and reservations. My website has also date filters to show what is still available for selected dates so that the general public can get their answers quicker. This in turn will save me time to talk with everyone asking questions.
The big problem now is deciding what costumes to get based on requests and hoping that I pick the right sizes and hopefully they will get rented. Finance being the main issue and time is a secondary issue unless I wait much longer. The costume shops also have stock levels and also get busy which causes more delays.
What I will be wearing and where I will end up for Halloween parties this year is another matter. Last year I was about to put on a costume, then someone showed up who wanted exactly that one. In such cases, I let the paying customers have the first pick.
This year should go smoother due to wireless tablet PC and mobile phone for availability checking and reservations. My website has also date filters to show what is still available for selected dates so that the general public can get their answers quicker. This in turn will save me time to talk with everyone asking questions.
The big problem now is deciding what costumes to get based on requests and hoping that I pick the right sizes and hopefully they will get rented. Finance being the main issue and time is a secondary issue unless I wait much longer. The costume shops also have stock levels and also get busy which causes more delays.
What I will be wearing and where I will end up for Halloween parties this year is another matter. Last year I was about to put on a costume, then someone showed up who wanted exactly that one. In such cases, I let the paying customers have the first pick.
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