Especially you guys who do everything for your shop alone?
I was thinking since I probably won't get too many sales if I start my site I would just shut down while I was gone, remove the add to cart buttons or whatever since I don't really care about losing a little money. What about you guys?
Work with another fulfillment center, i.e. if a customer orders from your site you have another fulfillment center 'fulfill' the order, i.e. your orders can get forwarded to the other center and have the fulfillment center use your logos, etc. Although you might loose a little bit of profit, since it will cost more to use a third party fulfillment center, but it's worth it for vacation. Just make sure you trust the fulfillment center's quality before you send your customers there.
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I went on vacation Aug 1st, spent a great week down in Key West . . .
I forwarded my home/office phone line to my cell phone and I took my laptop
checked my email late in the evenings . . the week before I left for vacation, sales were slow .
I checked my email late on the 2nd night . . I'll be dipped . . I had several orders and payment submitted . . . so I emailed the buyers to let them know that I was on vacation and that their orders would be processed upon my return . . gave them a returning/processing/shipment date . .
I also made my home/office number available to them in case they had any questions or concerns . .
when I shipped out their orders . .
I included a $5.00 off coupon towards their next purchase (w/90 day expiration date)
I might be away having Fun in the Sun . . at least I still have some income coming in . .
Diane
;o)
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. . . It only takes a stolen moment in time to share a smile!
I take my vacation during the slow time of the year. I have my calls forwarded to my cell and my laptop is always close. if a customer needs something and it can't wait(this has never happened), I have a local shop that will help me out. We don't compete with each other. He and I sat down and discussed things. I do work for him and he for me. I know everyone doesn't have this luxury. ... JB
It's just amazing how people are always willing to help here. Usually an online forum is an argue-zone, this is like a sanctuary deep within a forest full of evil wizards and lizards.
I take a different approach. I put a sign on my sites saying I'm on vacation till...., but they can still order if they wish. The sales confirmations emails also clarify the reason for any delay.
I switch my cell phone off, leave my computers at home and enjoy my vacation.
I take a different approach. I put a sign on my sites saying I'm on vacation till...., but they can still order if they wish. The sales confirmations emails also clarify the reason for any delay.
I switch my cell phone off, leave my computers at home and enjoy my vacation.
Probably the best way to do it! If you're going to take a vacation, it's because you need some time off from your job! Right?
I'm kind of in the same situation except I'm not going on vacation ... my grandmother is very ill and I am semi-moving to MS temporarily to take care of her (the plan is to go for one week, come back a week, etc.).
Luckily my cart (ZenCart) has an option to put up a notice at the top of each page. It's actually intended to notify the public of when the website will be down for maintenance, but I altered the code so it says I will be out of town due to a family emergency and orders will not be processed until I return Sept. 1.
I struggled with this decision because I really thought it would be best to disable the 'add to cart' button, but in the end I decided that when people order I will send them an email making sure they saw the notice – and if they didn't and are not okay with waiting for their order, I will refund the money. I will also offer them a 10% discount on their next order to (hopefully) compensate for the inconvenience.
I just wanted to say Rhonda my prayers are with you. If I can help you in any way PLEASE me know.If more people in the world made this kind of sacrifice for their family, the social service agencies would not be so overwhelmed. I know taking care of a family is a hard job and in some cases a thankless job,but in the end when you have no regrets. Your peace of mind will far out weigh the sacrifice you made. I wish you the best. ..... JB
I just wanted to say Rhonda my prayers are with you. If I can help you in any way PLEASE me know.If more people in the world made this kind of sacrifice for their family, the social service agencies would not be so overwhelmed. I know taking care of a family is a hard job and in some cases a thankless job,but in the end when you have no regrets. Your peace of mind will far out weigh the sacrifice you made. I wish you the best. ..... JB
Thanks JB ... I really appreciate it! She has made many, many sacrifices in her lifetime for her family so I have no problem returning the favor. She means the world to me.
When all is said and done, nobody is desperate for a tee shirt, or most of the other things we sell. We all have different reasons to take a break from our businesses, whether that be family events, or just the need to take in new horizons and 'recharge our batteries'.
As I told one of my customers a few weeks ago, desperate is when you don't have clean water to drink, no food in your belly and your nightly view of the stars, is not by choice.
We all need breaks for whatever reason. We owe it to the people around us, that quietly support us in the background, with no complaint.
This is a discussion about What do you guys do when you want a vacation? that was posted in the General T-Shirt Selling Discussion section of the forums.
What do you guys do when you want a vacation? 
