Just My November thoughts...many of you have finally emailed me to let me know you want to start selling Shea butter, and are "scoping" our site to get information and ideas. Honestly, this was not hard to figure out.
But, here's my thoughts and some realities: that's fine! My suggestion would be to invest time and energy into what you want to sell, so that you will truly know the differences. Read, yet do your own research, take your own photos & put it all together, so that you can form your own opinion!
Also, about prices...sometimes you can get a deal, but most of the time in the Shea industry, you get what you pay for, if you get your product at all. Yep, unfortunately I've been "burned" a few times myself, and this is the reason that I sometimes "put out" whatever you need to know (truly, sometimes stepping out of my comfort level of privacy) and putting serious effort, stress, and sometimes aggravation, into what I get in bulk, all to make sure that you really get what you ordered.
For those of you looking for recipes, and Shea for "dirt cheap" prices, this is probably the wrong place and the wrong product. Unfortunately, I can't continue to email countless request back, saying that I don't have any recipes to share, and I that don't have Shea, in "the gord" at dirt cheap prices. (And, yes I think natural gords are beautiful!) But there are lots of people selling what you're looking for; I'm sure that you will eventually find them. Just please be sure that it's what you want to sell, because there is a lot of work involved in it too. So, I'm truly not knocking what anyone else is doing, it's simply not what I currently sell. Right now, my only focus is quality retail -period - case closed. By the way, should this change, I'll definitely be the first one to let you all know.
Recipes: future plans might be to actually include some on the site. I have a few creative customers who have some "good ones," but I'll have to get their permission first, of course.
Another thought...instead of just "scoping" why not just "out right" ask me about what you are trying to "scope!" (Besides recipe request, and "where is the dirt cheap Shea butter!!") It would be helpful, for both of us, if you would just tell me what you are looking for! More bulk Shea, packaging, fast buys, co-ops, refined Shea...?? What ya' looking for while scoping so hard??!!! You never know, I might be able to provide it for you!
Just so this doesn't sound like an all "vent" letter, I do want to sincerely say thank you, to those of you who do appreciate my time, energy, and efforts. As some of you already know, I do not mind helping whenever I can, but being that this site started out as a hobby (yet, a hobby that quickly turned into a passion)... my only remaining "pet peeve" is folks "strolling in" when their only purpose and intention is to "steal." Some of y'all are even bold enough to take the whole page: words, pictures, and everything! Well, I would truly rather spend my time doing other things, but reality says it's time to start billing some of you. Ya know, it really would be a crying shame, for us to meet for the first time, right in front of "Judge Judy" fighting over a website and my web photos. So, please...just "get a life" and while you're at it - get a camera.
**International clients: I receive quite a bit of email, that is heart warming and touching from international countries. I'm sorry that I can't "just process your credit card on line," and no, "I'm not picking on you in particular." I've just been "burned" with international shoppers (and nope, none were from African countries, despite popular beliefs) and it is very expensive, and far too costly. Until modern technology develops a way to verify all international address, our current method is the only one that works successfully, for the security of both of us.
Although I cannot respond to all international letters, I do want you to know that I am truly honored that you took the time to handwrite and mail us your letters. It's an art, that in the US is almost forgotten. Rarely do we handwrite anything, any more. But, yes, I felt your struggles, your hardships, and your pain, and understood your search for what you believe will work best for you. So, accept please accept this note, as my way of saying I appreciate you all.
Be safe; wishing everyone a peaceful 2004 holiday,
Karen aka aromakaye
