Slider Magnets, Import Duties, ....and More (Blog Post)
Today we're talking about:
-- Equidistant Magnet Layout
-- USA Import Duties
-- SlideClick Knives
-- Some NEW and POPULAR Slider and Pens
Equidistant Magnets in Sliders
In last week's Blog Post I talked about a small number of people wanting equidistant magnets in sliders.
What I thought was a throw-away comment for me (I kind of brushed of these requests as a "small minority") ...ended up creating a fairly substantial discussion (mainly on a Facebook post).
So, two things:
What I thought was a throw-away comment for me (I kind of brushed of these requests as a "small minority") ...ended up creating a fairly substantial discussion (mainly on a Facebook post).
So, two things:
#1 - What do I mean by equidistant magnets? Well, take a look at these images:
The image on the left is of our current magnet layout in sliders.
The image on the right is what a lot of people are requesting (equidistant magnet layout).
#2 - There are a lot more people requesting I make sliders with the equidistant layout than I realized. And, on top of that, I think I now understand why they want it.
Truthfully, I think I just wasn't hearing what people were saying and why they were saying it (probably just classic cognitive dissonance ...mashed with a big old ego). The equidistant magnet layout is what all our slider designs used to have ...up until the end of last year. I then changed it and didn't think anything of it.
Truthfully, I think I just wasn't hearing what people were saying and why they were saying it (probably just classic cognitive dissonance ...mashed with a big old ego). The equidistant magnet layout is what all our slider designs used to have ...up until the end of last year. I then changed it and didn't think anything of it.
So, here's the deal...
I'm not suddenly going to make everything equidistant ...because I have to TEST this first. The reason for being a bit cautious here is because the slider designs are ALL different to the designs we had when the magnets used to be equidistant. I don't want to suddenly make changes that haven't been specifically tested.
I'm not suddenly going to make everything equidistant ...because I have to TEST this first. The reason for being a bit cautious here is because the slider designs are ALL different to the designs we had when the magnets used to be equidistant. I don't want to suddenly make changes that haven't been specifically tested.
Long story short:
I have heard you (finally!). I am working on seeing if we can bring this layout back (with the new designs we have). It's going to take time ...and can't give you any timeframes right now.
Are You From The USA? (Let's talk Import Duties and Customs Fees)
If you're from the USA and order from overseas, then as of this last week or two you're almost certainly now familiar with import fees, duties, etc.
I was going to ignore it because, to be 100% brutally-honest, it's really something the buyer has to realize and accept.
BUT...
A lot of people were not aware of these changes coming into effect.
So, in case you're missed it... (not I may not have this totally accurate - but it should be close enough)
BUT...
A lot of people were not aware of these changes coming into effect.
So, in case you're missed it... (not I may not have this totally accurate - but it should be close enough)
In the USA, you used to be able to import something from other countries ...and you would have no fees or duties from customs if it had a value of below $800 (USD of course).
This has now, from what I understand, been taken down to $0. So, as long as your product is worth at least something (i.e. you bought it online), then you're going to incur some import charges. I don't know exactly what they are ...but, as is always the case with this kind of thing, there is stuff like: the import duty itself, the fee by, say, DHL for processing this duty (yeah, I know! :-/), and so on..
Long story short:
There is nothing you nor I can do about it I don't think. Additionally, I don't think -- and this is my purely my personal opinion -- this is not going to go away for you in the USA (regardless of politics, economics, etc.).
Most of Europe has had this for years (yeah, I know, this doesn't help you Americans in terms of making it easier having to pay these extra fees).
So where now from here?
Two things in summary:
#1 - If you're not ready and willing to pay the import duties, then please don't order from us. I know this sounds harsh... and I totally understand if you stop ordering because of this. We have had a few customers refuse to pay duties. We then have to pay for the package to come back at a fairly high cost. We then refund the customer in full (of course) ...but we actually remove them from receiving any marketing from us again ...and request that they don't order again in the future.
#1 - If you're not ready and willing to pay the import duties, then please don't order from us. I know this sounds harsh... and I totally understand if you stop ordering because of this. We have had a few customers refuse to pay duties. We then have to pay for the package to come back at a fairly high cost. We then refund the customer in full (of course) ...but we actually remove them from receiving any marketing from us again ...and request that they don't order again in the future.
#2 - Almost all of our customers seem to really appreciate quality (they're buying from us ...so of course they do!). While the fees are not fun for anyone ...the overwhelming majority of customer accept it and, I am guessing, factor it into their purchases from us.
Weirdly... I would have thought these duties may have caused our sales to drop. But, so far, we're busier than ever.
The SlideClick
I hinted at this last week...
But we're we just done another run of our famous "SlideClick" utility blade knife.
This is one product I make where my own father keeps saying to me, "I don't know what I'd do without this knife. I use it every day.".
This is one product I make where my own father keeps saying to me, "I don't know what I'd do without this knife. I use it every day.".
My father is not a Fidget Slider kind of guy (although he does like the Magic Beans and uses one of our ClickShift Pens). But he is 100% all-in on the SlideClick (keeps telling me he's scared that he might lose it some day).
After talking about the SlideClick in last week's post I've had multiple emails from people not wanting to miss out.
Anyway, like I said, we've done another run. I was hoping they would be ready this week ...but it look like next week at this stage. Keep an eye out for an email from me.
Lastly (Some More Shameless Self-promotion)
Last week I offered some products at the end of the blog post ...and I couldn't believe how fast they sold (quicker than usual).
So, if something works, then do more of it, right?
Here's another selection of NEW and POPULAR Sliders and Pens just to round up today's blog post:
SlideClick!!! Lets go!
I love all the new colours and textures, but you seem to be pretty much wedded to Squashed Toad. Just wondering if there might be some Sweep shape in the future or is it no longer something you are interested in? Did the Sweep have equidistant magnets?
I love that you are mixing up the pens and sliders in this post. Keeps it interesting and actually easier to look at since you don’t just skim through all of one type of thing.
Also, the equidistant magnets let you rotate the slide 90 degrees, right? Who doesn’t want that? :-)
Thanks for addressing the tariff’s! I just got hit for the first time with my two orders this week. I’m holding out hope that Incan score one of the sliders blades next week when they drop!! Lastly I would love to see some more behind the scenes videos!!
Are you still working on a flip knife?