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Subject: Has anyone else been getting resistance from TCs? Author: non-BNDM [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: Friday, October 02, 10:26:38pm My target market is dancers in the Nov-PW divisions who want a moderately priced new dress. I purposely haven't gone after dancers who are more advanced that those levels because of the competition with BNDMs. Lately, I've lost sales to several prospects whose TCs want them in BNDM dresses (some used, some new). We're talking dancers going to feis competitions and traditional set competitions at Oireachtas, not solo competitions, not nationals. Have you heard this from your clients? It is possible, those I have been working with merely are saying "No, thanks," in a non-confrontational way. If you have begun hearing this from lots of TCs, I'll be listing my fabric inventory and headpiece bases. There's no way to compete against BNDMs if TCs are demanding them for all levels of dancers. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

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Subject Author Date I have found in my area, the top level champs get their new BNDM every year and then the TC organises for (tells?) the up and comers to buy these BNDM dresses once the champs are done with them and moving on to their new one. So the lower level dancers are more or less getting a year old champ dress - less about 'earning' or being 'level appropriate' and more about 'convenience' and 'what the TC says, goes'. (NT) That's just my area though. Friday, October 02, 10:55:33pm This is how one of our TCs handled his dancers. Quite a bit of pressure. Some of us old timers have pushed back, & it is reflective in the attention our dd's get in class with this TC. Thus we have started boycotting his classes too (he is paid by student) . We are lucky to have several great TCs to choose from. But he still has dd moms who think he is the (NT) -- lord of the dance, Sunday, October 04, 10:50:34am I have had the same problem. I have lost a few sales because TC wants the BNDM. That just leaves OTR's and they are hard to sell too with all the dresses available. (NT) Midwest Friday, October 02, 11:33:56pm resistance from TC's Mary Saturday, October 03, 04:46:33am The way to overcome this is to blow the teachers away with a great dress. That's how Sue Breen, Shauna Shiels, Darlene Stump, Chantelle Domican, Michelle Lewis, Ailis O'Dowda, Joanne Connolly, Andrea Yates, etc. all got their steady clientelle. Top World Placers have all worn their costumes. (NT) Proof is in YOUR product! Saturday, October 03, 06:00:19am agree with above poster-but the additional factor is parents who will stand their ground and let the TC know who is paying (NT) -- the bill!, Saturday, October 03, 07:39:50am As a small DM client, our TCs are mostly concerned about fit and quality construction, not name. They've seen a ton of really awful homemade and small DM dresses, so they are cautious, but they've seen really bad BNDM dresses, too. I have purchased modern but more affordable dresses by 3 different small DMs, & our TCs loved them all... We're out there! Saturday, October 03, 07:37:57am I buy what I like...not the name. The TC has never taken issue with anything I have purchased. She does not dictate how I spend my money. I pay her for lessons, not fashion advice. (NT) mom Saturday, October 03, 09:38:38am I've had customers switch to BNDM because the TC convinced them that the dress was the reason they were not placing higher. Ironically, I have another customer in the same competition who qualified for worlds and placed at nationals with one of my dresses. The former customer with the BN dress has not had the same success. (NT) .. Saturday, October 03, 12:42:42pm Most of my customers come to me because they know I will give them what they want, which is not always what the current trend is. I get dancers from the same school who come to me describing the same dress in a different color/fabric and they are not willing to try something different. The teachers then start to refer their dancers to other dm's - usually bndm's - because they begin to think that I don't make other styles. I think that by keeping my customers happy, I am hurting my business. (NT) can't win Saturday, October 03, 12:51:48pm I've noticed that too, a lot of my customers want older style dresses, which is fine, a lot of the older styles are beautiful, but people see my dresses and think I just can't make up-to-date looks... OTR's help though, they let me keep up with the trends. (NT) -- =), Monday, October 05, 01:59:49pm you are describing me to a "T" cant get away from one style---want desperately to do a different style, but it will have to be an otr (NT) -- bg, Tuesday, October 06, 11:57:13am I have used a smaller, local dressmaker for the last two dresses. I think the advantage is that the dressmaker knows us and knows what colors and styles look good on my daughter. I also feel like I have a relationship with her and can explain what we know we want and where we are open to suggestions. I think developing trust is key for a small dm. bndms cannot offer that. (NT) ---- Saturday, October 03, 02:07:45pm This is interesting, because the school I go to is the exact opposite. Novice-PW dancers only wear school dresses. Also, solo dresses (for champs) must include knotwork, so many BNDM dresses wouldn't be permitted. (NT) mp Monday, October 05, 09:37:31am Would you list the name of that school (NT) -- ?, Wednesday, October 07, 04:58:14pm