I mentioned this in the OSFE, likely the Handmade Section since it was private. I was a director at a high tech company in the second half of the1980’s before going out on my own.
Pre internet, pre social networking, etc…
I used to give the receptionist a break at lunch time. I answered the calls, we had about 400 employees in the company, I had 175 or so that reported to my team.
What I learned was priceless. Simple as that.
The internet has given executives a direct path to learn. If… they are smart enough to do so.
Big “If”…lol the internet has also given executives a direct path to mindless scrolling drivel and when your making $12,192,800*** a year as a CEO…you can probably just pay someone else and out source that job to someone else LOL.
**I googled Michaels CEO salary and that was what it came up with! I was going to estimate that maybe the ceo makes $500,000 a year, maybe a Million? I don’t know I’m so out of touch with corporate reality that I thought maybe I should just google it and damn $12 million dollars a year…gets me thinking that maybe I should go back to college one of these days and pick up a fancy marketing business degree LOL. $12 million a year…this guy isn’t spending his free time googling like the rest of us
Edit: Well actually I googled another source, looks like the guy is worth $12 mil…but only makes $3 mil a year at Michaels…but I still don’t think he has the free time for googling.
Keep in mind, I only set up the systems, the content, and the multiple threads and breaking out threads into more content is what Google and Bing feed off of. So credit needs to go to you guys for the content and to @papy for splitting, properly titling, and tagging threads. That’s the heart of SEO.
@LR72 you can copy/paste the information from official Michaels representatives posted in the FB group. That should be public info and duplicated elsewhere (because not all Makers will be on Facebook).
I know not everyone here is in the Facebook group. Michaels did post a survey link recently asking for “Feedback”. I put that in quotes because the entire survey is nothing more than asking about what kind of supplies you buy and where you source your supplies.
A few people commented frustrated that the survey really had nothing to do with Makerplace. I replied to the post as well, because it seems like Michael’s only goal here is to just sell more craft supplies. It’s been 6 months and they still lack basic functions like shop organization. It really seems like Michaels doesn’t understand that once you actually have a successful handmade business you start sourcing your supplies directly from manufactures skipping the middle man.
OT but
For 14 years I have been buying Michael’s offray Spool o’Ribbon. A small thin cheap ribbon I use to tie around my earrings (on a card, tissue wrapped, then a ribbbon/bow to hold it together). 75c a spool forever.
Last year or so they discontinued it, the next closest thing is $3-5. F, that…I’ve put off deciding what’s next as I have several spools still.
Yesterday I was buying card stock, and saw they had 3 bins of Offray ribbons on clearance. I spent several minutes digging out 5 spools that were the kind I like - yay!
They rang up at $3.99 each… I was like DUDE those were 75c before clearance! No dice… no sale… just wasted my time digging for them, oi…
I responded to it. I get most of mine in bulk from manufacturers, but if they want to start sourcing the things I need at a lower price I’m all for it! I doubt they’ll have what I need, but hey, you never know!
Michaels has a lot going on, and I wish their terms and departments were better delineated, but here’s my attempt…
Michaels basic retail (casual customers shop in-store or online for personal use supplies and decor), including products from 3P Sellers in the Michaels Marketplace program (“high-volume resellers & distributors, generally with over $1M in annual revenue”)
Michaels MakerPlace (where amateur/hobbyist crafters and casual customers can buy handmade items, classes, tutorials, and/or maker kits directly from Makers)
MichaelsPRO (where amateur/hobbyist crafters and businesses can shop supplies in bulk at a discount, no membership account required)
…so it seems that maybe they do see both the pros and cons of middle-man-ing, but they aren’t great at highlighting the different ways a business can shop with them.
Plus, many makers are beyond basic retail for purchase volume but wouldn’t necessarily qualify for direct accounts with manufacturers, due to small size of the business, low annual sales, lower volume of purchases, or an inability to pay for or store a manufacturer’s MOQ (depending on the specific supplies).
My suspicion is that this Michaels survey is meant to beef up their PRO and PRO Enterprise bulk offerings specifically–not necessarily basic retail–to be a bulk discount resource for mid-sized makers and offer them supplies that might not otherwise be available.
For most Michaels MakerPlace sellers, filling out the survey might be beneficial, if Michaels can offer them more options at better prices. And honestly? I see that as a win-win. It’s doesn’t feel smarmy like Amazon because Michaels (for now) is asking for maker input first, not just claiming that “Sellers really wanted this asinine thing that only benefits Amazon!”
But for more experienced maker businesses with longer sales histories and more sales channels, it might not be in their own best interests to disclose their suppliers.
Interesting, thank you for that idea. See one of my other posts on Slate.
Now the only problem is I only have one friend on Facebook.
TBT, we were/are a stocking distributor for a large arts company. We do not have a return clause in our contract with them. Sometimes when we ordered they sent us product returns from several medium size box stores including Michaels. I get it, it did not work out for them.
Something to think about for any of us who manufacture items that would fit a medium size box store.
damn $12 million dollars a year…gets me thinking that maybe I should go back to college one of these days and pick up a fancy marketing business degree LOL. $12 million a year…this guy isn’t spending his free time googling like the rest of us 
Maybe the modmins only do approvals on certain days? Even if you see posts from them, those are easily scheduled in advance.
