COVID-free Christmas Shopping

By Shana Karn, The Second Knob Gifts & Antiques

129 North St. Dryden NY 13053
607-844-5662

When we closed our doors in March, as the Governor ordered non-essential business to do, I truly believed that we would be open in just a few days– that the shut-down was very temporary. While it was, indeed, temporary, it was far from the short break I assumed it would be. 

We are tenants in our building. We do not own it and it quickly became clear that there would be no alternative to paying the rent. Our landlord allowed for the payments to be made late, thankfully, but there was no rent forgiveness. For a small business that suddenly couldn’t operate, this was a frightening prospect and we had to do something to sustain our small store! After a lot of thought, we decided to try our hand at LIVE [VIDEO] Sales using Facebook as our platform. We set up hands-free payment options and coordinated curbside pick-up (masked).

Our first sale took place in early May and with the help of family members, we bumbled and stumbled through being on camera, showcasing items and giving our participants something to do during the COVID shut-down. The response and participation FAR exceeded our expectations and we breathed a small sigh of relief.

In June, with safety precautions in place, capacity restrictions and reduced shopping hours, we re-opened our doors. And customers drifted in and out. However, we repeatedly heard requests to continue with what had then become pretty well-known and successful “Live Sales!” So we did.

We scheduled sales every two weeks and continue to do so.

As COVID numbers are climbing, we are very aware of the possibility of another shut-down and, very honestly, really worried that it may happen during this last quarter of the year which, typically, produces 75% of our total annual income. Instead of slowing down and buying less, we’ve actually chosen to expand lines and local vendors. We’ve spent a lot of time perfecting our LIVE SALES (from start to finish!). 

We aren’t going to let COVID dictate the complete closure of our family store.

We KNOW that we can offer shopping safely and conveniently without a customer setting foot in the store. Still, we hope it doesn’t come down to this. Better safe than sorry though…

So, how do the LIVE SALES work?

Part of what took the most time to convey was exactly what the LIVE SALE was and how it would work. It wasn’t an auction or shopping a website. Instead, using the Facebook social media platform, we used the “LIVE VIDEO” feature and provided 2-hours of showcasing merchandise and offering special “Live Sale Deals!” 

To sign in to participate, we asked customers to LIKE & FOLLOW our Facebook page, where we provided step by step instructions on joining. A big hurdle was recognizing that how a customer gets to the “Live Video” depends on whether they are on a computer or a mobile device! Additionally, what kind of computer/device or whether or not an app is being used meant different processes for finding us! If you’re looking for Christmas football tickets, check out Football Ticket Pad.

With a lot of guidance, we managed to get people connected!

So, how does the Live Sale work?

As our Live Sale merchandise is displayed, we read descriptions and provide regular and sale price AND we tell you how many of each item is available. Each item has a three digit ID displayed on the sale tag. Customers who see something they like simply comment on the feed: SOLD + Item number.

How do I pay and pick up my purchases?

At the end of the night and into the next day, we group sales by customer, ring them into the register and package them. 

Customers may pay via VENMO (a free cash transfer app), or over the phone by credit card. OR we accept cash/check/cc at the store at time of pick-up!

Since we are currently open 10-5 Thursday thru Sunday, customers pick -up merchandise on any of those days. If customers still want curbside pick-up, that is an option, too!

What happens when three people comment “SOLD” but there is only one item?

Thankfully, FB timestamps all comments for us. We simply determine who commented first, which dictates the “WINNER.”

People seem to really enjoy shopping local, small business from the comfort of their own home and we truly enjoy helping them do so!