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New for 2015 - Store Size Limits (Read 20317 times)
Mindy
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New for 2015 - Store Size Limits
Dec 29th, 2014, 3:35pm
 
Effective December 1, 2014  -  Store Size Limits
 
GCU has grown by leaps and bounds since 2007!  So have artists’ storefronts, especially those of artists who have been with us since the early days.  Although we herald the prolific growth the time has arrived to establish Store Size Limits.
 
The optimal store size is 10,000 submissions.  Artists will receive a warning alert when their store size has reached 10,000 submissions.  
 
The maximum store size 15,000 submissions.  Artists will receive an error alert when their store size has reached the maximum limit of 15,000 submissions.  At that time edits to existing cards will be permitted however NO new submissions will be permitted.  
  
In mid-January you will notice a new “Store Size” field on your admin page in the right margin.  This is where the store size limit alerts will be posted.  It displays the following for example:
 
Total Approved:  1,310  (this is approved public & private cards)
Total Submissions:  2,017  (this is ALL submissions and is the number used for store size limits)
 
Important note, deleting existing cards from your store will NOT make room for new cards to be added.
 
As you reflect on store size and your submissions please keep these considerations in mind …
It is not ideal to amass a store with non-occasion cards or “more of the same” cards, this is discouraged.  It is wise for artists to evaluate their collections and marketability of future submissions.  There is some validity that the more cards you have the higher chances of visibility and sales you will have – however each and every card you submit should speak to an occasion, stand strongly in its category and have great marketability & purpose.
 
There are a handful of GCU artists that have already surpassed the maximum store size limit.  Those artists have been “grandfathered in” to maintain their existing store and have been approved to open a second store as an extension.  GCU has already contacted these artists.  Opening a second store solely because you've reached the store size limit is not permitted and will need to be reviewed by GCU for express permission granted on an exception basis.  
 
Please let us know if you have any questions.  
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Mary__137064
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Re: New for 2015 - Store Size Limits
Reply #1 - Dec 29th, 2014, 4:04pm
 
Good to know, Mindy. I am wondering also if you can let us know what the newer trends are.  In my store,  have a variety of styles becuz that is the way I do all my arts anc crafts but I might cash in if I knew that cats were coming back or little bitty creatures in grass.
 
Thank you in advance.
 
Bright
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Doreen_137017
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Re: New for 2015 - Store Size Limits
Reply #2 - Dec 29th, 2014, 4:14pm
 
Quote from Mary__137064 on Dec 29th, 2014, 4:04pm:
Good to know, Mindy. I am wondering also if you can let us know what the newer trends are.  In my store,  have a variety of styles becuz that is the way I do all my arts anc crafts but I might cash in if I knew that cats were coming back or little bitty creatures in grass.

Thank you in advance.

Bright

 
Bright, just sign up to read the Community Blog regularly. Corrie posts almost weekly latest trends and great info to keep your designs new and fresh. When a trend returns, it's always with some tweaks, so old designs still might need some updating to be desirable to shoppers looking for that trend.
 
Speaking for myself as a greeting card artist, it is my responsibility to research and know what the latest trends are, not to expect GCU to tell me.
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Mindy
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Re: New for 2015 - Store Size Limits
Reply #3 - Dec 29th, 2014, 4:28pm
 
Quote from Doreen_137017 on Dec 29th, 2014, 4:14pm:
Quote from Mary__137064 on Dec 29th, 2014, 4:04pm:
Good to know, Mindy. I am wondering also if you can let us know what the newer trends are.  In my store,  have a variety of styles becuz that is the way I do all my arts anc crafts but I might cash in if I knew that cats were coming back or little bitty creatures in grass.

Thank you in advance.

Bright


Bright, just sign up to read the Community Blog regularly. Corrie posts almost weekly latest trends and great info to keep your designs new and fresh. When a trend returns, it's always with some tweaks, so old designs still might need some updating to be desirable to shoppers looking for that trend.

Speaking for myself as a greeting card artist, it is my responsibility to research and know what the latest trends are, not to expect GCU to tell me.

 
Correct and a great suggestion!  Corrie shares many design trends on the Community Blog like this recent one:
gcucommunity.com/2014/12/04/tips-and-tricks-greeting-card-trends-2015/
 
Be sure to subscribe and read often.  
 
I personally use Pinterest to see what is trending design wise.  Clothes, home decor, colors, etc. that translates across all media / products.  It's an invaluable, visually rich resource.
 
I always find it interesting to see the Pantone Color of the Year:
http://blog.pantone.com/2014/12/pantone-reveals-color-year-2015-pantone-18-1438- marsala/
 
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Laura_142481
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Re: New for 2015 - Store Size Limits
Reply #4 - Dec 30th, 2014, 12:33am
 
I doubt I'll hit the 10,000 card limit in my lifetime  Smiley and Pinterest, as Mindy said, is definitely a great source for what is trending and also for inspiration... as well as the tips from GCU.
Thanks for the store update Mindy.  
 
Happy New Year to you!  Grin
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Betsy_145102
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Re: New for 2015 - Store Size Limits
Reply #5 - Dec 30th, 2014, 6:16am
 
Mindy, Thanks for sharing the news! I agree, Laura, I don't know if I will ever hit that mark!  
I do have a question, Mindy. I have 2 stores. Are they considered separate when counting submissions or will the total of the 2 stores be combined to go towards the 15,000? I assume since you are allowing grandfathered in artists to open a second store that they are separate, but I figured I would ask just to be sure. Happy New Year!
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Robin_134252
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Re: New for 2015 - Store Size Limits
Reply #6 - Dec 30th, 2014, 7:51am
 
Great question, Betsy. I'll probably never hit that number in either of my stores, but good to know just in case  
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Sandra_133229
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Re: New for 2015 - Store Size Limits
Reply #7 - Dec 30th, 2014, 8:57am
 
Mindy, I am always impressed at how well the company is being run. You make decisions that benefit the whole, while looking out for the individual - both artist and shopper.  
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Mary__137064
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Re: New for 2015 - Store Size Limits
Reply #8 - Dec 30th, 2014, 10:31am
 
Thanks, Mindy.  Of course I do my own research, but I wondered what GCU might be leaning toward a certain range or other.  No problem, I will find what I need when I need it.  
 
Have a wonderful New Year!
 
Bright
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Sherry_222657
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Re: New for 2015 - Store Size Limits
Reply #9 - Dec 30th, 2014, 10:45am
 
Mindy, I have a few questions.  
 
Why if you delete an old card would there not be room for a new card? Things like Graduation Card trends and Chinese New Year Cards change each year. Why would people who've reached the limit of 15,000 not be able to delete the old and add new more current cards?
 
I can understand having a certain amount due to bandwidth or something, but once the card is deleted doesn't that free up space? I'm not near the total of 10,000, but just curious.
 
Also, those who reach 15.000 then would no longer basically be a creative artist at GCU, because they are stuck with what they already created and unable to create more, right?
 
Also, I don't understand that the total allowed is submissions and not actual cards in the store. Why should someone be penalized if they have submitted four cards and only one was approved and is in their store?  
 
Just trying to understand.
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Jane_144775
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Re: New for 2015 - Store Size Limits
Reply #10 - Dec 30th, 2014, 10:52am
 
Thank you for the updates Mindy  Smiley
 
I don't know that I will ever reach that many either and would like to know about the two stores combined as well.
 
Thank you for the continued support and color tip.  Hope you have a wonderful New Year!
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Jane_144775
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Re: New for 2015 - Store Size Limits
Reply #11 - Dec 30th, 2014, 10:56am
 
Good questions Sherry.  I was wondering the same thing  Wink
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Mary__137064
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Re: New for 2015 - Store Size Limits
Reply #12 - Dec 30th, 2014, 11:03am
 
Opening a second store solely because you've reached the store size limit is not permitted and will need to be reviewed by GCU for express permission granted on an exception basis.  
 
 This is from Mindy's orginal post, cut and pasted
 
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Sherry_222657
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Re: New for 2015 - Store Size Limits
Reply #13 - Dec 30th, 2014, 11:08am
 
Another question.
 
If I submit a card and it's returned for edits and I resubmit it, is that considered one submission or two in your tally of 15,000?
 
 
 
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Mindy
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Re: New for 2015 - Store Size Limits
Reply #14 - Dec 31st, 2014, 12:03pm
 
Quote from Betsy_145102 on Dec 30th, 2014, 6:16am:
Mindy, Thanks for sharing the news! I agree, Laura, I don't know if I will ever hit that mark!
I do have a question, Mindy. I have 2 stores. Are they considered separate when counting submissions or will the total of the 2 stores be combined to go towards the 15,000? I assume since you are allowing grandfathered in artists to open a second store that they are separate, but I figured I would ask just to be sure. Happy New Year!

 
Hi Betsy,
Yes, these would be considered separate.
 
Happy New Year!  Cheesy
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