Nov

30

Insurance Protection, Getting Orders, Writing Contracts

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INSURE YOUR SUCCESS

Years ago I recall gift basket businesses being disrupted by floods and fires that occurred in their neighborhoods. The same has no doubt happened again to designers located in Southern California.

Wednesday’s newsletter reminds you why insurance is crucial to protect your inventory and other supplies that support your business. The bottom line: take pictures, and get enough coverage for your investment.

WHAT RECESSION?

In past newsletters I’ve mentioned that one of your best defenses against corporations canceling orders is to make slim, yet tall gifts that are less in price than your grand baskets. The lower-price alternative is working for some designers, as examined in an article mentioned here.

You’ll also see a photo of the partial contents for the grand prize in the gift basket business contest, which ends today. My apologies for stating in recent blog posts that the contest ends Monday. Good luck to all!

SECURING CONTACTS WITH CONTRACTS

A designer who’s preparing to work with a hotel wonders if a contract is necessary. I share my advice on this at Ask The Gift Basket Expert. What do you think? Will a contract ensure that the hotel does the right thing?

Nov

26

Will Insurance Problems Hinder Your Holiday?

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The design part of making gift baskets is truly the fun part, and best of all, you get paid for your expertise! But there are also parts of running this business that must be taken seriously.

Sooner or later, a mishap may occur. Three problems I can immediately think of are a:

  • Client who trips on a stair because she insists on picking up the basket from your location.

  • Telephone call notifying you that a recipient is hospitalized because of a product consumed from the gift basket.

  • Courier who delivered your basket to a teenager who became drunk from a bottle of wine you included, a bottle you hoped wouldn’t be a problem this one time.

    • Liabilities happen at the least-likely moment, and you must ensure that you and your firm are protected against circumstances that may end your business and lifestyle.

    Insurance is not as glamorous as designing gifts, but it’s a product that lets you continue to create beautiful designs while maintaining your peace of mind.

    Many insurance carriers call our specific type of coverage “crafter’s insurance,” but don’t let those hobby-sounding words fool you. This coverage contains a minimum $1 million in liability protection and more to let you sleep soundly at night.

    Click here to review your insurance options before another day goes by. This holiday season, you want the media talking about your glamorous gift baskets, not damages incurred by a customer you’ll meet in court.

    Remember to enter the gift basket contest with three prizes valued between $100 and $300. Deadline is 11/30. Get details here.

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