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cab
Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 32429
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Posted: Wed Mar 08, 06 1:01 pm Post subject: Traders who aren't online? |
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Thought I'd ask you lot this.
I know several small, reliable, ethical traders who just don't do computers. I just stood and talked with one of them for half an hour in the pouring rain, hearing how she's really interested in preserving old and hard to find garden plants, listening to her talking about how she's been trying to source local hazel hurdles, etc. She and her husband have a small plant nursery and sell excellent stuff.
Just round the corner from there is another market stall, again selling home raised plants and, in summer, vegetable seedlings and vegetables. Bang on for a lot of what we do.
Yesterday I was talking with a lass who has a stall dealing in fair trade goods, expecially clothing.
So these guys, and so many others, seem bang on for what we do here, they're good, reliable traders, many of whom I've dealt with for years. But there's no obvious way to help them publicise their activities if they're not online themselves.
Any ideas, chaps? |
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jema Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 28236 Location: escaped from Swindon
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cab
Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 32429
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Rob R
Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 31902 Location: York
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Posted: Wed Mar 08, 06 1:23 pm Post subject: |
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jema wrote: |
No reason why we can't write articles about them in the trading section.
But online IS the way it is all going, the nature of evolution for small traders is adapt or die.... |
I have to agree there- even with local sales, people now look for a web address, as they can purchase in person but they still have access to all the information that a website can provide. If they don't want a website themselves, then a web presence of somesort is vital. Once they get this, they will find that a website is worthwhile & will start to generate their own interest in it.
I was determined that a website was the way to go and since jema put together the new format for us, enquiries have been much better than with the old site.
Personally if I want something, the first place I will look is the web- even if I am looking to purchase locally. Also, with a list of companies to check out, the first ones I will check are those with websites (and in particular, those with full contact details ie postal address, landline telephone & own-domain e-mail). From my experience of the enquiries I receive, I'd also disagree that the internet is age related- I get just as many older people as younger folk enquiring online & the same with those who say they don't 'do' the internet, young & old. |
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cab
Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 32429
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jema Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 28236 Location: escaped from Swindon
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sean Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 42219 Location: North Devon
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cab
Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 32429
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cab
Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 32429
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Rob R
Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 31902 Location: York
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Blue Sky
Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 7658 Location: France
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Rob R
Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 31902 Location: York
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cab
Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 32429
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jema Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 28236 Location: escaped from Swindon
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Posted: Wed Mar 08, 06 2:26 pm Post subject: |
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Rob R wrote: |
cab wrote: |
All well and good... But the three examples I picked don't have web access, and they don't have web sites. Yet they're small, interesting and ethical. |
If they realised the potential of the internet, they would end up getting sites, if they don't, then is there really much point in bothering about them? You can lead a horse to water... What I mean is that I've tried to get through to some people the importance of the net as a trading platform, but it's only when they discover for themselves how good it is that they do anything about it. If they don't have the net at present, perhaps they don't need it? Perhaps they wouldn't have the resources to deal with added interest from the net either. |
I'd never suggest a totally hard and fast rule, but I agree with the basic sentiment.
There are loads of people we can help out who are in the process of trying to help themselves.
On the whole I'd rather be concentrating on those people, than people who don't want or think they need the internet.
That might seem a bit harsh, but time and resources are limited, so why chase those who don't want to play? |
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jema Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 28236 Location: escaped from Swindon
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