Who's Minding The Store?

In the wee hours of the morning this morning, I was checking prices on the Internet, as I often do. I was looking around in Shopping.com and a particular item caught my eye. I noticed a Breyer Traditional model, Theodore O'Conner, for $14.25. I thought to myself, wow, that's cheap! I clicked on the item and was shown Amazon.com Marketplace $14.25, below that was Amazon.com Marketplace at $19.25 and below that was State Line Tack at $34.99. I clicked "visit store" on the $14.25 and it took me to Amazon.com Marketplace and listed the store as The Original Horse Tack Company. Interestingly enough, it showed the price as $28.90. What happened the $14.25? I then clicked visit store on the $19.25 and it took me to the same spot, again showing Teddy at $28.90. What happened to the $19.25. What's more, Shopping.com listed this store as a "Trusted Seller", and since it had the low price it was designated a "Smart Buy". I don't know about you, but I wouldn't trust that store as far as I could throw it, and I guess it would get my personal rating as "Dumb Buy".
Here's the problem. All of these places, Amazon.com, Shopping.com, Nextag etc. are out selling advertising. Yes, that's right, Amazon.com is in the advertising business. I've purchased advertising from all of these places at one time or another, so trust me, I know what I'm talking about. It's a money driven system where depending on how much money you want to spend you can be a "Trusted Seller" or anything else you want to be. Unfortunately, what is being displayed as a "trusted" price is not really controlled by anybody. The ads that are displayed come from a data feed that the retailer provides. What if they submit inaccurate data, what if they're not all that "honest"? Well, the truth is nobody cares as long as they get paid. There is really no way to monitor all of this data for accuracy. So, who's minding the store? NOBODY!

Horse of a Different Color takes #2 spot

We received our report on Westland Giftware's top 20 selling product lines last week. It contained some shocking information. Horse of a Different Color, a product line just announced in December 2009 that didn't even hit retail shops until February 2010, took the number 2 position. What's really interesting is that the #1 selling product line is MWAHH!, a product line that has over 100 items in it. Horse of a Different Color only has 29 items, total. Horse of a Different Color was announced by Westland Giftware shortly after they lost the license to produce Trail of Painted Ponies figurines and ornaments to Enesco. At the time the licensing switch took place, Trail of Painted Ponies was Westland's #1 product line. Of course, they had to go out and try to replace those sales, and what better way than to produce another horse figurine line to replace the one they lost. Enter Horse of a Different Color; featuring ornate horse figurines of different breeds with only 10,000 of each numbered figurine produced. Now can you think of a better way to ensure value to collectors? These collectibles are "HOT". It may be a horse race, but I'm betting that Horse of a Different Color will jump to the #1 spot on Westland's top selling product lines list by the time the second release hits the retail shelves, probably sometime in August, 2010. Each 6" figurine has a copper plate in the base that identifies the issue number ex. 100/10,000, meaning that figurine was the 100th made out of the total 10,000 that will be produced. If you love horses it's time to saddle up, the first release is still available, but they're going fast. Currently, the entire product line consists of 12 different 6" figurines, 8 mini figurines, 8 - 12"x12" canvas wall art pieces and 1 paint your own 6" figurine.

Breyer Spanish Flamenco Set

It happens all the time. People see a particular, ornate Breyer Horse that they'd really like to have, but they feel it's too expensive. They just can't afford it. They don't make the purchase, and then later, when it's gone, they're kicking themselves for not having purchased it when they had the chance. Breyer's Spanish Flamenco Set is one of those. It's a very ornate limited edition that carries a suggested retail price of $150.00. I know, that's a lot of money. At Look A Gift Horse we are always trying to take the sting out of prices. We offer "Unbeatable Member Pricing", a "MyRewards" points program and a "Free Shipping" program. Our members pay the lowest price on the Internet for Breyer Horses. Today, we want to help you out with that Spanish Flamenco Set. Today, you can get Breyer's Spanish Flamenco Set for just $71.25. Now that's a smokin' hot deal, so don't let this one get away. At $71.25 with Free Shipping you just can't beat it.

Journey of The Trail of Painted Ponies

When we first heard that Trail of Painted Ponies was moving the license for figurines and ornaments from Westland Giftware to Enesco over 5 months ago, we figured that the change may be somewhat difficult for us. As it turns out it's been more like a journey, a long journey, one that we don't expect to end soon. There's been a few twists and turns along the way maybe most significant is the difference in the way the two manufacturers announces new releases. With Westland you always new they'd be announced on June 1st and December 1st. So far we've been unable to get into the rhythm of Enesco's releases. Maybe that will change over time. It seems like there is still a lot of confusion out there about what has happened, and people really don't seem to be able to comprehend that there are many ponies that just aren't available right now, and some that never will be again. We've tried to clarify things by building two separate sub-categories on our site; one for Westland Giftware produced ponies, and one for Enesco produced ponies. Right now, we have a lot of ponies on order through Enesco, but those will be trickling in throughout the summer with the last of them arriving sometime in August. Maybe things will get back to normal then. In the mean time, we've got a lot of customers who want specific ponies now, and they just can't get them. Even so, it's quite apparent that Trail of Painted Ponies remains a strong brand that will survive the journey and may even come out stronger at the other end. Let er buck!

Another Trail of Painted Ponies Point of View

This comment was emailed to us the other day. It speaks a little to the quality of Enesco products and also speaks to TOPP going Hollywood. Since receiving this email we have received the list of new release ponies from Enesco along with pricing. For all those who mentioned concern about pricing, it seems to be very close to what Westland's pricing was. We've been told by several of our members that Music City Cards and Gifts has placed the new release on pre-order already. We're currently tying up loose ends to try to get in a position to place them on pre-order ourselves.

Are you still taking comments on the above subject? I've already commented
once, but have had some more time to think things over.


I'm not concerned about quality now that I know Enesco handles Charmin'
Tails, Dept 56, etc. However, I have a real problem with TOPP making a
Hollywood connection for new ponies. I think that totally takes away from
the basic theme of the ponies and insults the wonderful artists that have
contributed already. Hollywood and basic western values just don't mix.
And with the Hollywood ego involved, I can see the prices being
unreasonable.

I'm seriously considering stopping my collection of TOPP and not ever
starting the new Westland series. I currently have a figurine of every
pony issued so far, including the special runs. And, except for a few
broken ones that need to be replaced, I believe I have all of the
ornaments and most of the pins/pendants. As you can imagine, when added to
my Breyer and Stone collections, I'm running out of room anyway. I just
don't have a good feeling about this changeover.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Maureen"

Trail of Painted Ponies email regarding Enesco move.

These last 2 posts are about the end of the email to retailers from Rod Barker of Trail of Painted Ponies. There was some retailer specific information at the end of the email that won't be posted here. Since we have had some retailers contacting us about what's going on we want to let you know that's okay. We're happy to share any information we have. Okay, back to the trail

Winter 2010 Release - Sneak Peek: "The Trail of Painted Ponies has an established and loyal collector base that is passionate about Painted Ponies. They not only collect for themselves, they love giving Painted Ponies as gifts to others.
The Trail of Painted Ponies has both national and international brand recognition. We are consistently ranked as the top collectible by industry trade publications, including Giftbeat Magazine.
Painted Ponies figurines have a unique authenticity. They are not products of an in-house art department. Each begins as an original work of art created by an individual artist, and each tells a story. Being miniature works of art enhances their perceived value.
Painted Ponies figurines are supported by bestselling books, an award-winning website that is updated monthly, and companion merchandise.
The Trail of Painted Ponies has a history of integrating philanthropic contributions into its business practices, having raised over $1 million for various non-profit organizations.
The Trail of Painted Ponies is committed to helping retailers through:
a) a website that is dedicated exclusively to retailers: www.paintedponiesretailers.com;
b) a Store Locator feature on the home page of our own website to make it easy for customers to find stores close to them that carry Painted Ponies; and
c) in-store special events.
There is only one Trail of Painted Ponies. There will be imitators. There will be knock-offs. But no other collectible horse figurines will evoke the emotions expressed by this California collector: 'It's difficult to tell you how much my Painted Ponies mean to me. Each horse has a special meaning and a special place in my heart.'"

Trail of Painted Ponies Winter 2010 Release - Sneak Peek

Winter 2010 Release - Sneak Peek: "It was seven years ago that The Trail of Painted Ponies stampeded onto the gift and collectible scene, and in that time we have become an inspiring success story. Painted Ponies figurines are one of the most popular and beloved collectibles in America, and have generated over $100 million at retail. What distinguishes us now from everyone else is:"