How to ask owner if they still sell an item.

[alixxilhice]

I guess this question is mainly geared towards store owners... but what would be the best (non-invasive) way to get a response (even if it's a no) from a shop owner asking if an item they created would still be available for purchase if I can't currently find it in their store? I assume it's a slightly older item or possibly an event item/gift so perhaps that's why it's no longer there.

I don't ever want to be a bother but I still figure it's worth reaching out if there's even a possibility of being able to buy it from them.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated!

[Rowan Amore]

15 minutes ago, alixxilhice said:

I guess this question is mainly geared towards store owners... but what would be the best (non-invasive) way to get a response (even if it's a no) from a shop owner asking if an item they created would still be available for purchase if I can't currently find it in their store? I assume it's a slightly older item or possibly an event item/gift so perhaps that's why it's no longer there.

I don't ever want to be a bother but I still figure it's worth reaching out if there's even a possibility of being able to buy it from them.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated!

Send them a note card with as much detail as possible unless their profile states no notecards or denotes another person such as a customer service rep.  If that's the case, still address the creator in the note but pass it to the CSR.  If they request an IM, I'd still write out the notecard then copy/paste it into IM.  That gives you a chance to reread or rewrite and doesn't leave them waiting for you to finish typing if they are online.

It's how I always contact them and it's been positive so far.

[Fritigern Gothly]

1 hour ago, alixxilhice said:

I guess this question is mainly geared towards store owners... but what would be the best (non-invasive) way to get a response (even if it's a no) from a shop owner asking if an item they created would still be available for purchase if I can't currently find it in their store? I assume it's a slightly older item or possibly an event item/gift so perhaps that's why it's no longer there.

I don't ever want to be a bother but I still figure it's worth reaching out if there's even a possibility of being able to buy it from them.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated!

I'd advise you'd say nearly the same you did just now.
Personally, and in my words and tone, I would write the following:

Quote

 

Hi Creator Name,
I recently seen product so-and-so and it showed you as creator, but when I searched your store I could not find it. Is there any way I can still purchase this product?
Thanks in advance,

-- Friti

 

 

[alixxilhice]

10 hours ago, RowanMinx said:

Send them a note card with as much detail as possible unless their profile states no notecards or denotes another person such as a customer service rep.  If that's the case, still address the creator in the note but pass it to the CSR.  If they request an IM, I'd still write out the notecard then copy/paste it into IM.  That gives you a chance to reread or rewrite and doesn't leave them waiting for you to finish typing if they are online.

It's how I always contact them and it's been positive so far.

Thank you so much for your reply! Definitely makes me feel much less awkward about reaching out to them now.

[alixxilhice]

9 hours ago, Fritigern Gothly said:

I'd advise you'd say nearly the same you did just now.
Personally, and in my words and tone, I would write the following:

 

Thank you for the basic outline! Glad to see I was at least on the right track with it. Very much appreciated!