Our Consignment System
In January 2025, we replaced the Cricket’s Nest Shop software used to manage member inventory and process sales with a new ConsignCloud system. The new software is a complete overhaul of the original program installed in the 1980s. We are excited to share new features with members that were not available in our old system. We hope to phase in additional functionality of the new ConsignCloud system over the next year and ask for your patience as we transition our current documents and procedures to fully incorporate the new system.
ConsignCloud provides members with:
- Better inventory management
- Interfaced processing of sales
- Faster turnaround for settlement checks
- Timely communications to members for account activity
- Access to view inventory via a Consignor Portal
Caution: The Safari browser has intermittent issues with loading the PDF training documents within the individual sections below. If you experience issues, try a different browser or contact the Shop and ask to download a copy for you.
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Pricing Split
ConsignCloud system calculates payout differently than the old system. Cricket’s Nest continues to split sales with members however some adjustments were adopted to handle converted inventory is explained below:
87% Split for 2024:
- The new system calculates the split between members and Shop based on ticket price. Without modifications, all items ticketed in 2024 would result in less paid to members when sold.
- To avoid repricing and creating thousands of new tickets, the Shop absorbed the difference and pay members 87% for 2024 inventory converted from the old system. This change, members receive their expected amount.
85% Split for 2025 and forward:
- All inventory items consigned starting January 2025 will be split 85% to members 15% to shop because price tickets are created with the new calculation.
- Members should price newly consigned items slightly higher to receive the original expected payout they were accustomed to receiving.
- Members can choose to continue consigning items with their original ticket price but they will receive slightly less at payout.
Member Payout to Tag Price
Tag Price to Member Payout
How to Price Your Work
Let’s start some conversations about that $8.80 “average price elephant” in the room. As already said, the average price for consigned items before 2024 was $10 and that number was trending downward.
Impromptu discussions about pricing always pop up during take-in appointments and Board Meetings. Especially when members wander through the Shop and compare their prices to other members making similar items. “I can’t possibly sell my stuff that low! I can’t even make enough to cover my supplies.” Usually this happens when a member is trying to run a viable business. They leave deflated and sometimes let their membership lapse. More often they try to find a craft that costs less to make so they can earn at least a small profit. This doesn’t “hurt” physically, but it can take an emotional toll. Lowering prices means the member doesn’t make much money but it also means the Shop looses operating capital.
Over the years, we have learned that members who price low are only looking to make enough money to cover supplies. They don’t consider time spent on activities like learning or making their craft because it’s a hobby… and it’s fun. But, consider all of the time you allocate to administrative tasks like buying supplies or paperwork. And let’s not forget taxes. Eek!
You, our member artisans, are some of the mosttalented people we know. Shoppers visit Cricket’s Nest because they value the quality and variety of the products you offer. If you compare your prices to other local shops, I’m sure you will find that you only charging bargain basement prices for similar items. Think about the prices you pay when you are buying hand made treasures for yourself or your friends and family.
It’s time to re-evaluate your prices so you can afford to pay yourself… for your time, for your training and experience, for your materials, and even for your computer time administrating! In other words… stop underestimating your value and believe that you are one-of-a-kind, just like your crafts.
Two of our members, Terry Stilson and Cynthia Tysinger, have created a great pricing guidelines handout inspired by the book and movie “The Help.” They want to help you see that you are worth so much more than you realize. Own it and let the world in on the secret you’ve been keeping under wraps. < insert big cheesy grin and a wink >
ConsignCloud’s integrated communications module automatically sends emails to members for their inventory activity. The service provides both real-time and batch communications to provide insights into how your inventory items are performing.
Samples of each email is included below along with a brief description of how the email is used. You can also download a reference document for details on all of our electronic communications at the bottom of this page.
Important Things to Note:
A valid email address must be on file with the Shop to receive system notifications.
Emails are sent from an unmonitored ConsignCloud (mailer@consigncloud.com) account but displays “Crickets Nest” as the sender. Check your junk/spam folder if you have not received an expected email.
DO NOT RESPOND to system emails and DO NOT FORWARD forward to Cricket’s Nest to report an issue. Instead, Call the Shop to share your concerns so we can research and resolve in a timely manner.
A “Welcome” email is sent when a new member is added in the ConsignCloud system with a valid email address.
The “Account Access” email is sent to notify a new member that their Consignor Portal account is active.
The “Your Login” email provides a temporary password allowing Members to access the Consignor Portal.
Members can request an “Account Status” email at any time. Details are included for active inventory, Send-Home, and sales awaiting payout during the next month.
The “Payout Receipt” email lets members know their payout check is being processed and lists sold activity included in the settlement. A link allows the PDF remittance stub to be download and saved for taxes.
ConsignCloud Email Notifications
The new ConsignCloud system requires the Shop to assign a category to every consigned item. You can think of the category as the highest level for identifying and grouping inventory items. Categories work best when they match natural selections or departments that you would find in a typical retail store.
Each category is assigned a default number of “expiration days” for items to be in the Shop. The default days sets the specific expiration date that triggers Staff to pull items for Send-Home. The expiration date can be overridden to handle exceptions such as seasons or holidays.
Categories can be used to filter, sort, and group inventory for Shop analysis. Please note that multiple categories could apply to an item. The Shop will assign the category value that best helps them to manage member inventory and display space. In the future, we hope to evaluate and share category metrics with members so they have insights into shopper trends.
You can download the Category List below to see a list of the current categories and associated expiration days.