The Trading Post

[dame_wolf]

J and I discussed it last night and I think once we are in Oregon I'm gonna give it a go! I'd really like to start now but then I'd be in the middle of it and have to transfer everything when we move. I have started the research and did do a nationwide search for trademarked names and didn't come up with 'The Trading Post' so unless that changes in the near future that will be the name of my shop (wonder if I can tie that down now???), if it does change I'll call it 'My Shop'! hahaha! So here is a list of items to be purchased at 'The Trading Post':

~Candles (sented and unsented)
~Dried Herbs
~Herb Seeds
~Incense
~Windchimes
~Herb Gardening and Preperation/Use Books
~Blank/Journal Books
~Sarans (sp?)
~Lavender Wands (while supplies last)

There will be a section that showcases tack sold on commission and I think I'm gonna have a friend show me how to make rope halters so I may offer handmade rope halters too. Depends on how difficult/time consuming it is to make the different sizes, might be something I only offer locally so that they can be fitted to the horse (that's how K does it). The Lavender Wands will be hand made (really like making them) and offered throughout the year while supplies last.

If this works out then I will look into expanding into a physical shop as well as expanding my inventory to include pots, suncatchers, candle holders, beaded curtains and anything else that strikes my fancy.

Might take a while to get it up and running as we are broke (hopefully not for long) but I had a thought on that too. I could get part of the inventory (like the candles only) and then put a comming soon section and list the other items. Then as I get the inventory in take them off the list. Or should I hold off till I have some of everything to sell?

[WashingtonBay]

Good luck with it! :)

[dame_wolf]

Thank you WB!

[Tatesgram]

Oh, that sounds lovely! I love scented candles and change mine depending on the season. And windchimes!!! I love windchimes and have them on the front and back porches. For some reason incense gives me a headache.

Once you learn to tie the halters, you can whip them out pretty quick, and they do stretch after they've been used a while.

Good luck!

[dame_wolf]

I will start out with a limited number of scents and go from there, offer additonal scents for the different seasons maybe... Not really sure about the unscented candles, maybe just white to start? Don't know why someone would buy an unscented candle!

[Tatesgram]

Allergies maybe, and they just want the atmosphere of the candles. I buy soap at a local farm day every year. They smell so good, I put them in the drawer with my gowns and stuff.

[dame_wolf]

That's one of the uses of Lavender Wands...

[gabhainn]

I wish you the best of luck, I wouldnt so much worry about trademarked names as domain names. since you are going to be an online store. Just a thought........Kevin

[dame_wolf]

I think it searched trademark and domain names but I'll run another search before making anything concrete. Thanks Kevin!

[dame_wolf]

Okay I ran a domain specific search and that name is taken. :( So here are some other choices that I like (but not as much):

~My Trading Post
~Appaloosa Trading Post (I would maybe sell some pics of Koda with the N.I. scenery or Tatesgram can do some appy horse bags... Don't know.)
~Garden Trading Post (But it's not just garden stuff so kinda the same situation as Appaloosa. Plus it takes away from having tack.)
~Kristy's Trading Post (Not sure I want my name involved though.)
~The Oregon Trading Post

The site offered some suggestions but I'm not sure I like them, sound funny:
~The Trading Post Shop
~The Trading Post Site

What do you guys think? Suggestions please!!!

[Remali]

I wish I lived closer, I'd be a regular customer! I love everything you are going to have in your shop....and windchimes too?! I love those things. :)

Hmmmm....suggestions for a name.... how about including the area where you will be living living.....like, is there a river nearby there, or something..... like XYZ River Trading Post. Or..... a valley or mountain range.... So-and-so Valley Trading Post.

[dame_wolf]

That's not a bad idea... hmm.

Did a little more searching on different sites and now it's telling me I can get The Trading Post domain name under like .me or .cc. What's the difference between .com, .net, and .me, .cc?

[dame_wolf]

Oh Remali, I'll ship to you...

[dame_wolf]

What about The Country Trading Post? Or The Online Trading Post? The Lavender Trading Post... The Back Yard Trading Post...

[gabhainn]

IHmmmm....suggestions for a name.... how about including the area where you will be living living.....like, is there a river nearby there, or something..... like XYZ River Trading Post. Or..... a valley or mountain range.... So-and-so Valley Trading Post.
I like these ideas, I was afraid of that with the domain cuz it seemed like I have been to a site called the trading post, but I like the fact that you are thinking B-I-G......Kevin

[dame_wolf]

Hmmmm....suggestions for a name.... how about including the area where you will be living living.....like, is there a river nearby there, or something..... like XYZ River Trading Post. Or..... a valley or mountain range.... So-and-so Valley Trading Post.

Okay what about Mount Ireland Trading Post? Or Three Sisters Trading Post?

[dame_wolf]

Crescent Creek Trading Post
Wildhorse Creek Trading Post
Mohawk River Trading Post
Rogue River Trading Post
Willow Creek Trading Post
Lost Creek Trading Post
Full Moon Trading Post

[valleyrider]

Wow DW you got a list of great stuff you are going to sell. I would love to come and check out your shop. Sounds like it will be a cozy place to shop at. Hey how about The Cozy Trading Post or even This N That Trading Post! You got some great names already to pick from. I like My Trading Post, Full Moon Trading Post, Crescent Creek Trading Post. How about The Rainbow Trading Post. I also like Remali's idea. Picking something that is near by like a vally, river, type of trees or mountain to put in your name. Oak view Trading Post,, or Mountain View.

[Remali]

Cool! I would love to see some of your stuff if you go online or do shipping!

I like the sound of Willow Creek Trading Post. :) Also like like Wildhorse Creek Trading Post and Crescent Creek Trading Post. You came up with a lot of great names!

[dame_wolf]

Thanks! I'm having trouble choosing now! hahaha! Maybe I should put it to a vote...

[Remali]

A vote is a great idea! :)

[dame_wolf]

Just to narrow it down some you know? To many that I like!

[valleyrider]

Sounds good to me,, I'll vote:) There are alot of great names to choose from.

[dame_wolf]

I'll put a post up for the name after the smelly post is done. That didn't come out quite right... hahaha!

[valleyrider]

LOL DW,, I will be looking for it. Can't wait to see your choices for us to vote on.

[dame_wolf]

OMG I can't believe I didn't think about this sooner! You know the necklace I made for Koda?

http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=340&pictureid=11333

I can make those and sell them! This is an old pic of it, I added charms to it.

[valleyrider]

You know I was going to suggest the beads for the horses. I want one of those for my Bones. I am putting in my order for one now! I have been looking since before Christmas.

[dame_wolf]

You got it valleyrider!

[Remali]

I love those beads/necklaces for horses! Koda looks so nice in his.

[valleyrider]

So have you thought about any names for the vote yet??

[dame_wolf]

I have but I'm gonna wait for the 'smelly' poll to end first.

[dame_wolf]

Okay, EW got me thinking and I did some research on making candles instead of buying them and cost wise it is better. So my question is would you rather buy a candle in a color you can not choose to get the scent you want or a scented candle in a natural cream color? I checked and a 16 oz colored, scented, soy candle in a mason jar is selling for anywhere between $10-20.00. So if I offered a 16 oz scented soy candle in a mason jar with a colored ribbon of your choice in a natural cream color for like $8-10.00 (have to play with the scenting proceedure, want a good smelling candle!) would you buy it or the colored candle for more?

Also if I took special orders and let you choose the scent and color (you'd have to buy the whole batch-4 candles) for $44.00 would you be interested in that?

[valleyrider]

OK dw, just checking if you were ready for the vote..I feel the sent is more important than the color to me. Sented soy candle in a mason jar with a ribbon sound great.

[dame_wolf]

OK dw, just checking if you were ready for the vote..I feel the sent is more important than the color to me. Sented soy candle in a mason jar with a ribbon sound great.

Just trying to think of ways to keep cost down and if I don't have to mess with dye that cuts cost, cuts time, and allows the customer to choose a ribbon color to match their decor (and not clash with candle color).

[Vegashorselady]

Okay, EW got me thinking and I did some research on making candles instead of buying them and cost wise it is better. So my question is would you rather buy a candle in a color you can not choose to get the scent you want or a scented candle in a natural cream color? I checked and a 16 oz colored, scented, soy candle in a mason jar is selling for anywhere between $10-20.00. So if I offered a 16 oz scented soy candle in a mason jar with a colored ribbon of your choice in a natural cream color for like $8-10.00 (have to play with the scenting proceedure, want a good smelling candle!) would you buy it or the colored candle for more?

Also if I took special orders and let you choose the scent and color (you'd have to buy the whole batch-4 candles) for $44.00 would you be interested in that?

I care much more about the scent than the color and besides, I like natural cream.;) It is much easier to embellish the jar with ribbons and silk flowers if people want a certain color.

[dame_wolf]

That's what I think too.