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Good morning 🌞
I've received an overwhelming amount of questions and feedback regarding yesterdays email! I didn't intend for these changes to be confusing or controversial but completely understand where these concerns and skepticism are coming from.
I apologize for not addressing TAT/communication issues directly. I can see how my explanation became a bit of an unhinged stringboard to anyone who hasn't been obsessing over this for months.
For added coherency, I've summarized a few common questions from email and reddit in FAQ format. I hope this will clear up the majority of concerns I've seen or received but please let me know if I've missed anything.
I'll try to keep this email a little more concise so apologies if I seem abrupt in my responses - thank you so much for reading! - Meaghan (meaghan@stereoplasm.ca)
A brief summation of current updates to the shop:
1) Out-of-season fragrance that would otherwise not be available can now be purchased as a 30ml/”Venus” size any time
2) Seasonal, new or featured fragrance will be available (or restocked) in *all sizes*, as planned
Why are these changes happening?:
↠ To reduce time and resources spent stocking, creating and bottling entire catalogue at once
↠ Out-of-season perfume generates much less interest and often goes to waste (even after clearance events)
These changes are convoluted and confusing. Why are you focused on this instead of improving TAT and communication?
Many of the changes presented so far may seem superficial or limiting but ultimately exist only to improve TAT, communication, product and overall experience.
What has been done to address TAT and communication issues?
Both issues will be improved by:
↠ drastically reducing time spent maintaining off-season catalogue
↠ machine-automation of many tasks formerly done slowly by hand (funded by our “Last Chance Clearance” sales)
With much less time spent creating perfume formula, managing a massive ingredient inventory and bottling fragrance (that may not be purchased) - I now have hours of time back to keep up with everything else.
Are Venus memberships the precursor to an MLM or typical “mean-girl” nonsense?
It really is just a way to buy out-of-season perfume when it wouldn't otherwise be available or visible on the site. I create perfume formula in 110ml bottles already - so making other sizes available at the same time as a 30ml purchase makes the most sense to me.
When someone purchases a 30ml, other people can try the size they want without having to spend $100 or wait for the fragrance to come back in season.
I've never planned on having a paid membership program but as an add-on or free perk with such a high commitment purchase, it seemed like a fun idea. I don't intend to create or nurture any social groups based on this, other than newsletters explaining the free samples.
Why would you do this? What are you thinking?
I can't really think of an ideal or better way to keep such a large catalogue available year round until we're able to move and expand. Our catalogue consists of thousands of ingredients, hundreds of formulas and multiple bottle sizes for each. It's very difficult for one person to keep up with, ultimately wasteful and takes resources from stabilizing the shop and preparing to move/hire locally again. I'm definitely not stuck on the idea if it remains deeply unpopular.
Why not just hire someone to help with these issues?
I think for now it's better to be realistic and honest about current economical limitations than hire someone precariously. Limiting the catalogue and making the fulfillment process easier also makes this job more appealing for future hires as well.
Are these changes permanent?
Venus bottles were only meant to be a temporary solution to keep things moving and stabilized until we can relocate. I'm open to all suggestions and truly appreciate the constructive feedback I've received so far :)
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