Tom's forum discussion "Become a local looney" got me to wondering why GCU doesn't offer a retailer package deal for people who would like to start their own retail line of GCU cards- something similar to what RPG (Recylcled Paper Greetings) does. They currently require a minimum purchase of $2,000 and give a selection of card displays that they offer to retailers or vendors- a choice of portable floor displays or counter displays.  This would be a wonderful way to get our cards out into the real world on top of counters and in display racks. Does anyone else have any thoughts or ideas on this matter? It would also make it easier for artists wanting to start their own local looney line as well. And it could be a good way for someone to start their own business - making us suppliers.

Thanks Susan- yes I believe it would be a good step to offer something like this. Let's say you have someone who owns a bridal shop that comes to GCU to thumb through our bridesmaid invitations- if they wanted to buy a package to offer their customers, then that person would be able to select cards that they think would sell in their area for their package- I would say GCU would have plenty of Bridesmaid invitations to offer a wonderful selection to any business or vendor. Same thing with florist shops, art shops, or tourist areas. Once they would purchase a starter pack, then the bulk pricing would come in handy. GCU could offer UPC barcodes already printed on the back or in sticker form and make the process a little easier and more accessable. I think it would be a logical next step for GCU. But that may just my opinion...  

Great idea.  I would like to see, included with that package, different sizes of cards, notecards, post cards, etc.... and, different options of packages to buy since not everybody will need display racks or different sizes or maybe not want to invest BIG $$$ to get started.  I'm selling more out of my shop than on my GCU shop so, it's very feasible.  I've been focusing on local scenery since I have a lot of customers that come in and want cards and also tourists that want something that shows the area.  I'm making my shop a one-stop-shop for local Norcross cards, etc....

RPG prints a select set of cards in mass volume on offset presses to get cards for as little as 10 cents each.  They likely print 10,000 of the same card at a shot.  POD companies use digital presses and aren't able to get anywhere near the same economies of scale.  They are set up to print one or many  from a vast selection of designs (GCU/Zazzle) "on demand" where RPG can't.  It's very different.
 
The picture below shows the situation for us costwise.  I have mapped out pretty precisely the situation and the best we can expect is to get cards for our little retail ventures in the $1.75 range delivered.  Zazzle can offer a slight advantage of about 15 cents above 50 based on shipping but some say their card quality is not as good.  As you can see, printing and shipping does provide some savings with volume, where a technology company's cost are essentailly fixed (salaries, server costs, facilities, ...).  
 
Bottom line is that I don't expect either POD can cut us Looney Birds a break, though I could be wrong.  They might forfeit some profit in order to benefit from any PR that might emerge (local press articles and so forth).  Generally though, if we still want to do this we'll have to find situations where marking up from our $1.75 cost still provides an acceptable return for us and for the retailer.  This implies finding shops that already have cards priced in the higher end of the range or offering locally-themed cards that the RPGs of the world are not ever going to provide..
 

Quote from Lisa_135184 on Nov 2^nd, 2009, 8:53am:

 
It's actually RPG = Recycled Paper Greetings; a traditional GC company like Hallmark and American Greetings which together dominate the retail market.
 
POD is print on demand.  The traditional GC companies print in mass, like a newspaper.  POD is like your home printer.  You print exactly what you want, when you want, and as many as you want.  GCU and ZAZZLE use POD for GCs, but on large machines that can handle the volume.  GCU has a printing partner who does this part as well as mails out the printed cards each day.