Humbly asking for your support... Need help please, fellow DUers

[NJ_Lib]

Hi everybody...

It took me a week to get the courage to post this and I thank you very much in advance if you took the time to read it...

I am asking if the good people of DU would support my sheet music business instead of the big corp guys like Guitar Center or Sam Ash... I have access to everything they do, books for all of the instruments, lesson and method books, personality books, all types of music and a complete list of instructional DVDs. And more... I will offer all DU member a 10% discount off of retail price of any item.

I am a 35 year old single mother of a 15 year old teenage girl... Up until last March, we were doing pretty good as I had a good, high-paying job at a local music store... Things got tight at the store and I lost my job... Unemployment ran out last month with no extensions available... With no family to rely on, I am truly on my own... I have been doing the best I can but this week it all came crashing down on my head...

I AM NOT SEEKING DONATIONS!!!

I am asking for a chance to earn your business... I am an authorized music dealer and have access to any product available on the market...

Next time your child needs a new piano lesson book, or you need something for Christmas for Uncle Bob who plays the guitar, please won't you give me a try? My customer service is top notch and I care very much about my customers... My eBay feedback is 100% perfect... I don't have enough to advertise which is shockingly expensive so I thought maybe you guys would be willing to support a fellow DUer...

My business name is: Maya Music and on eBay I am: MayaMusic
My email address is: [e-mail]

I would be proud and honored to serve you in any way I can... Please contact me for more information.

Thank you very much, from the bottom of my heart!

Raquel ~ Maya Music

[Padraig18]

1. As an independent bookstore owner, I wish you well.

As you know, it's tough competing against the 'giants'. I wish you well!

[NMDemDist2]

2. oh heavens, hubby and I were just talking we needed some new sheet

music as we want to start playing again

can you suggest a book for beginner guitar players who are stuck in the 70s and 80s?

maybe I can get it for Xmas ....

[sherilocks]

3. DU is forming a "Starve the Beast" group.

As soon as the group is formed, post the information there. The group will be looking to support small businesses like yours. Send me a private message if you have a problem doing this.

[OctOct1]

4. I wish you well

I have no need for music material, but hope you do well in your business. I know how outrageous advertising can be. I am a bookkeeper and see the bills.
Some are hard to believe. A little 2 inch ad could cost thousands depending on where it is.

[Ladyhawk]

5. Yes. I occasionally have need of sheet music.

But money is really tight for me right now, too. SSI Disability doesn't go very far.

Everyone is hurting and I'm sorry you have joined those of us who are being thrown to the wolves.

[NuttyFluffers]

6. cool, let's get you connected.

here's another site mentioned on here that works towards the 'starve the beast' goal. drop them a line and mention you want to add to their project.

http://trueblue.hyperboards.com/index.cgi

hopefully we can get an online 'blue' yellowpages created and get you some much needed business. keep looking for 'starve the beast' topics (and forum soon i hope) and we'll try to get you some business.

keep the faith!

[NJ_Lib]

7. Thank you, thank you, thank you...

... to everybody who stopped by and took the time to post... You gave me some great ideas and I appreciate it more than you know... I will do them all!


To those of you also in my position: I am so sorry... You'll be in my prayers tonight...

[Lindsay]

8. NJ_Lib,

you're in my prayers as well. Sorry that's all I've got to offer you at the moment. But if I hear of anyone in need of your services, they'll hear about you.

[mamalone]

9. Blessings from another single mom

I'm sorry, I have no need for sheet music, but I just wanted to encourage you. Being a single mom is tough..I never realized how tough it is until I became one myself I really hope your business is a wonderful success!
Diane

[NJ_Lib]

11. Thank you, Diane and Lindsay...

Thank you to you both... Please hang in there, Lord knows it ain't easy for us, but with the support of our community which lately for me has been strictly DU, we'll get through this...

[NJ_Lib]

12. accidental dupe

[NJ_Lib]

13. Accidental dupe

[Winamericaback]

10. A Used Book Store owner here

Good luck with that.

Its very hard to fight "big boys" and still support yourself.

I was planning on buying my cousin some guitar books for christmas. I'll keep you in mind.

As an aside: Have you thought of maybe selling on Amazon? Or at a booth in a market or something of that nature?

[NJ_Lib]

15. Thank you!

Thank you for keeping me in mind...

And for the ideas... Amazon is a good idea, maybe I'll look into that... Markets are tough because customers who frequest those type of places are looking for a really good deal and you know what it's like when you're a small business owner... The discount percentages we receive on our stock is terrible... Unless you're one of the big boys and spend millions...

[ElsewheresDaughter]

14. my son has a garage band and wee will be most happy to use you...

i am a fellow NJer myself...Hoboken, my husband has been a captian on the hoboken fire department for 35 and counting years

we are thinking of getting our son a "travel acoustic guitar" something he can play in the van while commuting? and a 200/250 watt amp for home ...because his 600 watt one rattles my windows and i fear he will shatter them otherwise ...christmas gifts

LETS HOOK UP!

oh yeah the name of his band is "Half There"....they're working on getting all the way there someday

[NJ_Lib]

16. Thank you, elsewheresdaughter...

Hey we're neighbors, I'm in Jackson...


Thank you so much for keeping me in mind... They have so many cool books these days for kids who play, I would be glad to send you a list when you're ready... Just drop a line...

My hats off to your husband... Please say thank you from a fellow-American, for his faithful service!

[roguevalley]

17. I know a lot of musicians. I will pass on the word, honey. Good luck.

[HEAVYHEART]

18. Raquel

Do you have a web site? I'm assuming that you do not since you didn't add any web info on your post. I strongly suggest that you get one so that you can expand your businesss, more exposure, etc..

As for supporting you, I am a musician myself so I will spread the word about your business.

Good luck!

[NJ_Lib]

21. I am now working on my web site....

but since I am doing it all on my own, and this is the first time I have done such a thing, it is taking longer than I expected... But it is half way done and should be published in a few weeks...

Thank you so much for taking the time to drop a line and for spreading the word... I appreciate it so much...

[JudyM]

23. My friend does websites: www.studiodog.com. Fun to work with.

[NJ_Lib]

24. Thank you, Judy... You're a...

... sweetie...

I am so grateful you took the time to make a suggestion that may help me... Thank you... I can't afford a pro person right now, that's why I'm struggling with it myself, but I have faith... I'll get there... I will save that website though because I just know one day, I WILL be able to afford it!!!

[JudyM]

25. Sure. She works with start-up and small businesses all the time

as well as with large companies.

Best of luck!

[JNelson6563]

19. I will need music books

My kids both play string insturments. For future reference, how long will it take to ship from where you are to northern Michigan?

Cheers--
Julie

[NJ_Lib]

22. Hi Julie, thanks so much...

Thank you dropping a line and for giving me the opportunity to serve you!

As far as shipping, it all depends on the weight of the items and how we chose to ship... Under a pound, I usually ship first class which would take roughly two to three days to arrive in Michigan. If it's heavier, we can do Media Mail which would take anywhere from three to seven days to arrive.

On the average, it would take about a week to arrive to you from the day you order it.

Please email if you have any other questions ([e-mail] ) ! I am happy to help!

Thank you so much!

[Ann Arbor Dem]

20. Be sure to post this in the new forums....

The Marketplace: Stuff for Sale and Marketplace: Job Seekers and Freelancers. (You are a freelancer!) Maybe more DUers will see it.

Good luck!!