See, the thing is, competition isn't really for me. I usually check my competitiveness at the door for everything except debates or discussions. But games never really did it for me. Now, I'm faced with an interesting dilemma. For reasons that shall become apparent, this post isn't going in the VMT blog. Quite the double-life I'm living these days.
The O. Winston Link museum is a fantastic museum. Its facility is top-notch (as most newly-renovated facilities are), its exhibits are well-designed, and its subject is relevant to the area (although I still feel it should be a gallery at VMT or at the Art Museum, but no matter). There's just this one little thing...
Their gift shop sucks. Yeah, they've got rail merchandise a-plenty, lots of reproductions of Link's prints for sale, and the obligatory Link-branded hats, shot glasses, and t-shirts. Only, they're missing something... customer service.
I've been in their shop at least five times. Not once was anyone present to help me find anything, and the one time I wanted to make a purchase, I had to walk into their office and tap someone on the shoulder to get her attention. Maybe I only come on bad days, but this is a bad first strike.
Perhaps to [over]compensate, they've begun stocking our merchandise. They've got t-shirts and DVDs featuring VMT's own #611 and #1218. I understand that the appeal of those engines in this area is relatively universal amongst those that know about them, but I can't quite figure out how t-shirts bearing the images of those locomotives enhances or supplements the educational experience a visitor would get from touring the museum.
The shop lacks character, but only for a lack of trying. They're in a great building, the shop is well laid-out, and their subject material, once again, should be an inspiration. I should be able to buy postcards, magnets, key rings, and puzzles with Link's pictures burned proudly into their sides. Instead, I have to buy the same items with only the logo of the Link museum, or a very modern picture of one of VMT's locomotives.
Here's the one that really kills me. They sell silver and gold charms OF THOSE ENGINES. They're not at the Link museum; they're at our museum. What's more, they're hocking them at a minimum of $55 (for the sterling silver) and up to $250 for the gold! Are you kidding me?!
I reached my competitive breaking point when I found out about this. I got a vendor out in California to reproduce the engines in sterling silver at a cost so that I can sell them for $19.99. Same quality (if not slightly better), but less than half the price. The Link can stuff that in whatever they like. If they're not going to respect their customers, I will.
I've made it my mission to make their store irrelevant when it comes to anything other than O. Winston Link-related merchandise. Every two weeks, I'm going to visit their store. Anything they carry that isn't related to Link and is related to VMT's collection, I will carry it and undersell them. I won't carry anything having anything to do with Link -- that's rightfully theirs. But I'm going to let everybody know about this, too. Competition, you see, is good for consumers.
Even if it isn't really for me.
2 comments:
forget where you are?
There is no competition here, as the concept seems not widely understood.
Really want to hurt them, just start a rumor - worked for Kroger v. Food Lion.. Food Lion to this day still has the better meats and produce - but Kroger is considered the upscale store.
Pricewise - Food Lion has the advantage.
Just like you will. But the sad part is they will probably never realize they have competition. You have to understand a concept to realize it.
I've been thinking about this more and more, as it eats at me.
On the one hand, I want to win. On the other hand, I'm not sure what there is to win. Further, there's an ethically gray area about museums competing in any venue.
I'm reminded of worms on a leaf. One follows the other follows the other, each thinking that the other knows where he's going. Ultimately, because everyone is looking at the rear end of everyone else, nobody goes anywhere.
Maybe it's better, strategically, to just forget about them. Refer any Link business over there, and just do our own thing.
It won't make me feel any better, but it seems more prudent, at least in the light of a new day.
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