YuleLog Ornament Collector's Bulletin Board Forums Discussion Ornament Collecting Discussion October Debut Shopping

While I was doing my October Debut shopping I felt that there were more shoppers for this Debut than what I remember from recent years...and a lot of the stocked shelves were emptying out.

I wasn't sure if some of the ornaments were "gone" because they were sold out or stores didn't receive those ornaments yet....certainly I know there were things that my store didn't receive....namely the continuity Merry Makers set....until I get mine I will be on pins and needles! Last year Hallmark's shipping department messed up with the Let it Snow set with my store and the whole time we only received four "Ns." Not fulfilling expected shipments can lead to frustrated shoppers. Wonder what the problem is this year.

Sue
Pasadena, Maryland

I agree. There was an actual line (behind me of course) at my store yesterday morning. My new "old" store really made an effort for Debut, but it was very clear the owner still doesn't understand that doing a proper job with these displays takes time. There were lots of boxes stacked at the rear of the store. None of the October ornaments had batteries in them. 15- 20 of the "DEBUT" Ornaments were absent...but whether they were consumed by the Wish Lists, never got out, or never arrived-I cannot say. My friendly Hallmark Associate was working, and she said they were there until 9:30 the night before trying to set things set up. I haven't been through my bags yet, but I already know they didn't have at least 6 of the ornaments I requested..in April....and despite all that...this was the BEST BUYING EXPERIENCE I'VE HAD IN THT STORE IN 4 YEARS. Doesn't really say much for it, does it?

Shipping was horrible this year. Only had 3 ornaments I received none of but was still getting some as late as 4 o clock on Friday ( makes planning set ups harder when you don't know what's coming when). Have been on the phone with HM constantly. Sent double amounts of some limiteds and none of others. Other orders have been off also. Even my displays- was missing parts of ornament wall, sent doubles on some wrap displays while none of others, plus they are stacking events and floor changes to overlap. I hope they get their act together as the season progresses

This is our store's second Christmas season, and they also were reasonably busy all morning, at Premiere too, which is good!

Sadly, few to none of the popular limited-quantity ornaments were left. Didn't even see White Chocolate Moose, and I arrived ten minutes after opening!

By the way, our store still had at least a dozen of The Bare Necessities ornaments when I left last night.

Lisa

Our Debut Saturday started very early - 5:30 AM. The first store we were going to was an hour and a half away and opened at 8:00 AM. We left the house shortly after 6:00 and then ran into an tropical style rainstorm just after we got on the I-75 about 3 miles from home. It was a pure downpour which lasted for about 40 minutes. We did however still get to the store just as the doors opened. We picked up what we wanted (had already been notified that they couldn't fill our request for Olaf) and off we went. We were very early in most of the stores we visited but later in the morning (11:00ish) were in one store where we had to wait in line to check out. The rest of the day went well and we were home by 3:00 PM. Olaf was out every where of course, but we did get some of those we had ordered. As to the other outs there really didn't seem to be a pattern. One we did notice appeared to be disappearing was Payton Manning - some had one or two other stores were out.

My bag had everything I requested as usual. Sometimes the owner throws in daughter instead of son and I have to get after him. LOL

When I left at 11 they were still a couple of Merry Christmas Fairy's left, GI Joe and the other specials. I am sure they are gone by now. Still some Chris Mouse and others from the premiere.

The first store I went to had everything on my wishlist but I was told that they didn't ship as many of the ornaments that they needed to fulfill all the wishlists (I think I was number 3 in turning my wish list early this year). This is a corporate store and they were out of many things by 9:00 a.m. - an hour after opening. I was told they were at the store Friday until midnight getting things set-up since several things didn't come to late last week.

The second store was an independent store and they were holding for me the limited Colorado ornament that was exclusive to CO retailers. I did find one ornament that I decided I wanted but the first store didn't have any more.

The third store I went to, which is closest to my house and is an independent store, just recently announced they were closing. They did get some of the debut released ornaments and since everything was on sale, I got a couple more ornaments.

The final store I went to was another corporate store. They still had more items than the first corporate store I went to but things were gone by 10:30 a.m.

I had only two disappointments while shopping. The first was I never received my debut flyer in the mail. I did call Hallmark earlier in the week about it and they stated I still could get it this last week but I didn't. Second was the stores are too hot. I never want to stay too long in the store since I feel I'm about to pass out. I even wore crop pants and a short sleeve shirt and no coat. I always felt better when I got outside and felt the nice cool day. If Hallmark wants me to look at any of their other products they need to cool the temp or have better circulation of the air; otherwise, I'm in and out as quick as I can get checked out.

Man! Mary Lynn that store really does have problems but from what I hear all the stores were having problems and I think they all originate with Hallmark shipping. Got to have a good schedule to get things out on time. I think it is unrealistic to expect stores to get things the day before the event and have everything to go the next day! Some stores worked minor miracles by working late but there were things they just couldn't do since they didn't get the shipment and yet Hallmark is going to hold their corporate stores responsible if they don't make an expected financial quota? Better fix the problems they have at "home" before laying all the blame on the doorstep of the stores!

But, hey, I was in an independent store and they didn't have batteries in the ornaments that were hanging on the big display fir tree. It is bad enough to try and operate an ornament on the display board and find it doesn't have the batteries but to have it happen on a tree is a bit more disappointing.

Sue
Pasadena, Maryland

I put in a wish list early and figured I could take my time getting to the store as they'd be holding my must haves, so didn't go until today. Well, they had recopied my form and left a few things off! So I didn't get some of those. Strike one. And there was one ornament still on my wish list but they didn't see it and didn't put it in my bag! Strike two. Of course the items left off/missing were completely sold out. Strike three. Bah humbug. They also tried to give me back my wish list and I was all, there are November and December wish list items on there... so you still need this... please fill my request.

What they did set aside for me were very nice and in good quality. Lots of really fun and cute October designs.

I drove down late this afternoon (Sunday). Since I wasn't interested in any of the limited editions this time I waited until Sunday when the store would be less crowded. I've had to trim my budget back since I'm on a single income and I didn't get all of my series ornaments this year. I skipped SnowTop lodge. I just didn't like the apron! I may regret that later! I bought the Magic Cord Pre-Flight Snack since I'm doing this Santa series, Santa Certified and Snip n Clip fun for my two grandsons since I do these series for them, Frosty Fun Decade and I decided to start the Marjolein Bastin's series. I thought the Bastin series would look beautiful displayed on wreaths in upcoming years. I didn't plan on getting anything else today but once in the store the following were calling me and I ended up taking them home. Happiness Makes Magic, the magic snowflake. I thought this was really a nice ornament. The first set of Wireless Snowman tree for displaying and I liked the conductor after the clerk showed me how to turn the knob to individual snowmen. Last but not least, I picked up the Christmas Tree with the cookie cutter on top. I have the tree with the cookie cutter on top from a few years ago and always like displaying my kitchen themed ornaments on it so another style will be nice to have. I had a fun time visiting with staff at the store. My store is very friendly and nice! Hope everyone else had a fun day.

I have just the opposite problem. The weather here is still warm in October and the stores (all stores, not just Hallmark) have the air conditioning running full blast. I need a heavy coat when I go inside. I hate being cold.

Linda

I know the people at my favorite Hallmark store well enough that I would have offered to put the batteries in for them. Finding the batteries to use and a screwdriver might have been a challenge but we could have tried.

Two of my friends from my local club were in a store here in KC when Mark Amren walked in while he still worked in Keepsakes. He checked a couple of ornaments and found that they didn't have the batteries in them. He offered to put the batteries in and had his own screwdriver with him. He visited with my friends while he was there, so the Hallmark store employees asked them how they knew someone from Hallmark they didn't know. My friends told them he had visited our club several times so he knew them when he saw them. His job that day was to visit stores to see how their Premiere activities were going and he decided to help with the batteries while he was there.

For those of you who have been counting, my "new" old store is on it's 5th manager in a year. All of them lovely diligent hard-working women - all but one of them - really tried to understand the collectors passion - working for an owner who's only concern is the bottom line. The latest manager has been there maybe 6 months...has worked at other stores for this owner, and seems to have a better relationship with her than the last 4. We shall see. There is still no help. One employee at a time. It's impossible to give proper customer service, let alone set up, clean up, and stay current. At this point, there are a sum total of 2 employees who have been there a year. The rest are college kids who think their job is to run the register...they'll be gone at Semester. I have offered to help pull Wish Lists. I have offered to help set up the wall. I have offered to stock the shelves, on my own time and on my own dime.....no..no..no..no. The truth is, she doesn't have time to care.

I have been out of the Hallmark loop this summer so I didn't know what to expect.

Went to 3 stores. At the first all I bought was a mystery cupcake and Olaf. There were still several Olafs on the shelf. I did have a hard time finding the mystery cupcake but one of the women working found it eventually.

The second store I went to, I just entered the Register-To-Win. They had Olafs on the shelf.

The third store(owned by the same people who own store 2) did the Register-To-Win but the most surprising thing is they want to start a local club. So I signed up to receive information when they do.

I ended up going back to store number 2 on Sunday to pick up some ornaments for someone. From what I heard this store still had about 2 dozen Olafs when I was there. I don't why they have so many! They DON'T ship.

There were several people shopping Saturday but Hallmark ornaments just aren't that big a deal around here. The stores didn't have refreshments or anything special. I'm not even sure what was sold out as there were lots of empty spaces but come to find out some of those ornaments aren't even out.

Carol

I didn't get out at all....We were so busy on Saturday even though we drove near 3 stores....but I was playing good spouse and didn't whine

and then I was going to one on Sunday and got there at 4:30 only to find they closed at 4.

Last year I think they were open until 5 because I did the same thing.

I wasn't too upset because I had gathered all of my rewards coupons and than promptly MISPLACED them. I still cannot find them! I don't know where my mind has gone!

Greetings to all of you! I am new to this forum but I have read the posts here for a few months and love the friendliness and interesting news.

We are now down to only one ornament carrying Gold Crown store here in Hot Springs. It was very busy on Saturday morning. I got there 10 minutes after opening and was able to get a Merry Christmas fairy before it sold out. Only two moose were left and I also got the last Here Comes Santa tree topper. The store was sold out of Legacy cords, too. They said they are restocking today and tomorrow so perhaps the sold out items will be back in stock. They are most efficient in filling Wish Lists so no problem there.

I had a great time viewing the new things and got:

Poppy Holidays
Window Wonderland
Amazing Grace piano
Thankful Donald
Treeluminator(what a cool device this is!)
Making Memories cookie cutter topped tree
Santa Stops Here

Welcome to Yulelog Moley! That Treeluminator looks like fun. Our store had it set up to work with the display tree. Tried it. Liked it. So tempted...

Lisa

I am at a loss here, I had not seen a Treeluminator, what is it?

Beaglebabes: It's part of the Hallmark North Pole collection. I bumped the topic up for you. In "Hallmark Northpole" click on the link, then click on "Gift Gallery" and scroll down to it--it looks a lot like a radio.

Ted

Sorry to bump this topic, but I'm new.

My local store was not very busy. Collection is not that big here, I mean only two limiteds have sold-out (G.I. Joe and Who You Callin' Chicken). There was the typical Olaf issue, but also the store only received 2 Tris Priors.

I bought:
Jack's Peculiar Pet
Tom Brady
Misfit Toys
Sheer Genius (a gift)
Hiccup and Toothless
Nifty Fifties Keepsake Ornaments
G.I. Joe
Dandy Candy Elf
1942 Harley-Davidson WLA*
Olaf

Still need to get Thankful Donald, my store doesn't have it yet.

* Really disappointed in this ornament. It said it was die-cast metal and yet appears to be made mostly of plastic. It looks cheap.