If I have any good business sense, I got it from my grandmother who managed to run a small jewelry store with military precision for over 50 years (and prosper) in a mill town in Vermont, which saw all other businesses, large and small, come and go with the various times. Her secret was clubs. When I designed the Early American Doll Series, I had originally figured it as a complete set of things including a doll and all her clothes, furniture and accessories. Then I feared that people couldn't afford it, but it came to me that one of my grandmother's clubs would work. It is presented in an affordable format and is a fun way to collect with a surprise to look forward to each month and in the end you will own a wonderful collection for yourself or for the future.

Clubs represent a commitment. I get to have your business for 12 months (some clubs have more months), which I provide for you at at discount, and you commit to those months of payments. It is an unspoken contract. In the event of needing to break this agreement, I require a month's notice for withdrawal so that we can even out the money spent that far - we may owe the customer, or the customer may owe us for which you will be expected to pay this difference, usually not more than a month's payment for your particular club. If we owe you, you will be issued a credit for any merchandise of your choice.

• Clubs for finished things are based on the total value with a 15% discount divided into equal monthly payments, which means some months the payment is worth more than what is received and some months less, but in the end the club member comes out even. In clubs with finished things, we need a month's notice for withdrawal so that we can even out the money spent that far - we may owe the customer, or the customer may owe us.

• Clubs for kits represent a significant savings (25% discount) over the regular prices. The monthly payments remain the same no matter the price of the kit and in some clubs, more than one kit is sent in some months.

• Custom clubs can be arranged for people who want other than what would normally be in any series. Read more about this option below. Call, write or email to discuss your selections. Discounts for Custom Clubs are approximately 10% for finished items and 15% for kits.

• SHIPPING is added to each club for each shipment, but it is kept low. Kit clubs have a shipping rate of $9.95 per month except in occasional shipments with say more than one kit being shipped or the size affecting shipping rates. Finished clubs will vary by item being sent but will be as low as possible (average rate for US is $12.95). Foreign shipping rates are variable depending on weight. but are also kept as low as possible. Note: Due to the rapidly changing world of shipping rates these may change according to increases set by UPS and the USPS.  Rates above current effective March, 2021.

• PAYMENT OPTIONS: Credit card charges are best, but arrangements may also be made for paying by check or Paypal. Due to the intense administration time spent in doing clubs, and my limited staff for help, all club charges are processed on the 3rd Thursday of each month. If you wish to pay by check or Paypal, you will need to pay one month ahead, so that we do not spend extra time tracking you down (people often forget).

• Join any of the clubs at any time keeping in mind that club shipments are all processed on the 3rd Thursday of each month.

NEW CLUB PROCEDURE (for both styles of clubs, Kit or Finished):
For many, myself included, these times bring unexpected changes that affect our finances. Although I gain new club members all the time, the numbers of members needing to drop out is in much higher numbers than when I began clubs over 30 years ago. At times I have thought I would have to discontinue clubs due to the loss of our administrative/shipping/managing time spent on those who have had to drop out. But rather than do that, I got the idea to treat clubs sort of like renting or leasing an apartment. This plan would work in a similar way - your first payment is held in good faith until the end when it becomes your last payment. If you drop out, you lose that "security deposit" just like breaking a lease with an apartment. I have already begun this plan and have added the option that for those anxious to get their first shipment, you can pay both the deposit and the first payment together. This option can be requested in the notes box on your order form or by separate email. Note that deposit payments now include the shipping amount as well so that when it comes time to use your deposit as your last payment, we do not have to bill you for shipping.

NOTE: Prices may be changed as necessary over time.



HITTY CLUBS: At present, there are three clubs for Hitty items, beginning with the Basic Hitty Club (a starter club), followed by Continuing On Clubs I and II which add more items to the Hitty series. Each club can be for finished items or for kit items. Sometimes customers want a hybrid of some finished items (especially the dolls) but wish to make the accessories themselves from kits. In this situation, a custom club would be set up.

OTHER CLUBS: All other groupings of items kit or finished or a combination of both would be made up as Custom Clubs. A common club to set up is one for all or some of the Tiny Doll Series, to give an idea.

 

 


Custom clubs can be arranged for people who want other than what would normally be the items in a regular club. For instance a Custom Club may be what you want (instead of one of the regular Hitty Clubs) if you already have a number of those items which you don't want to duplicate or add in any other items from my website.

HERE IS HOW IT WORKS: Pick any 12 (or more) items you want which have a minimum price of $25 each. If you want items that are less than $25, you can combine items to meet that minimum. We add up your items, apply a Custom Club discount of 15% for kits and 10% for finished items and then divide by the number of months you wish to belong (12 or more), or the size payment you wish to make, to get your monthly payment. If the payment comes out too high, we can add in months of equal payments to get it to your liking. Send us your list. Click here to send an email with your questions or your list of items. We will send an email back to you confirming the payment and details. Join this Club (Clicking here will add this club to your shopping cart, but there will not be a dollar value until you send your list then we will let you know). Call, write or email to discuss your selections.