Is FabShopHop in trouble?
 

I enjoy looking for the bunny on FabShopHop from time to time. I don't do it every month, but it's fun every couple of months. But I have noticed the number of shops is going down all the time. A few years ago, there were something like 125 shops involved each month, some time ago I noticed there were fewer than 100 and there are only 82 this month.

Has anyone else noticed? Any ideas why?

Good question. Like you, I have fun bunny (s)hopping and often mark shops to re-visit; have gone back and purchased at times as well. But, it's been a while for me and I haven't counted. Now you have me wondering, too.

Internet shopping is eating into every small business owner's profit, whether they have an internet shop or not. It isn't free for them to be on Fabshopnet.

This is my first time ever hearing about FabShopHop and first time participating. I did it this month found all the bunnies.

I've noticed that too. There used to be 5 or 6 for each letter of the alphabet, now there's only three.

yes, i noticed that to. i have fun looking for the bunnies and checking out the shops. I hope they stick around.

It may be cause so many quilt shops are closing. Those that stay open perhaps can't afford to give things away. Let's hope that's not the case since I enjoy hopping myself.

For me that might not be a bad thing -- I got tired of doing it in the past because there were so darn many bunnies to find! It became too big of a time waste for me, although initially I liked visiting different types of quilt shops and seeing what's new in the fabric lines.

I never understood it. Seemed like a LOT of time investment for the possibility of winning something I may not have wanted in the first place.

I just won a $10.00 gift certificate from a shop. I chose a pattern for $8.50. The shipping was $7.95. I did not order and emailed the shop. Until some of these shops start being realistic about shipping people will not be doing the shop hop. The goodwill that could be built by being realistic on shipping will help them and not hurt sales.

Hmm, maybe I will try it again, it's been a lot of years for me, and I stopped because there were too many shops and it took too long.

I won a Brother 1500 some years ago from FabShopHop. There was only 90 something shops then. Some shops don't do it every month. If you notice the quarterly hops have more shops. I love the magazine.

I would think the shops would have to benefit in some way if they take part (like when they are in shop hops or Row by Row and things like that). It usually costs them money to be a participating shop. If everyone just visits the shop and clicks on the bunny, or picks up a free pattern (in the case of Row by Row or other things brick and mortar shops do), the shop isn't getting a return on the money spent to participate. The shop owner has to then make a decision as to whether it's cost effective to continue to participate. It's possible that's why some shops are dropping out.

The shop I know that participates always has a good profit from the hop. She has the bunny on the special deal page so everyone see it. Some shops want more sign ups for their newsletter, some want to show the new line of fabric or new notions they are selling. Some want their name to be know and posted about on Facebook quilt sites. It is all about advertising which the FabShopHop is about.

I also won 10 $ gift this month, which has happened several times, also a 25$ prize, if you add the price you pay plus shipping, and minus the 10 $, your still ahead, I figure it at least pays for shipping, so I get something from a shop I wouldnt have ordered from anyways, Its a win win for me, who doesnt like free shipping ?

I have been doing the shop hop for years and have probably won $10.00 about 15-20 times. One time I won some fabric (2d prize I think) and even if the $10.00 gift certificate only covers the postage, I think it is worth it. The shop that is giving the gift certificate usually comes out ahead since some of us get items that cost more than $10.00. I usually spend the whole month hunting for bunnies and only do up to 5 shops a day. That way it doesn't take much time. I enjoy seeing all the shops.
Sue

I am getting a lot of PMs about the magazine. It's here:http://www.fabshopnews.com/index.php/subscribe/

I have won once. I just don't have the time when there are so many shops involved in it. I might have to go back and try it again with fewer shops.