Help Exquisite Shopper Services Stay in Business!!
Hi my name is Jackie and I am the owner of Exquisite Shopper Services. First I want to thank you for taking the time to read this. I know it's a little long, but I want to make sure I explain everything in detail so you understand why I am asking for help. But I promise if you read this to the end, you will find a small token of my appreciation!
My Story
I, like many people across the world, lost my job when the pandemic hit in March. I took a temporary job with the U.S. Census Bureau over the summer and when that job ended decided that I needed to start my own business so that I could make a living to support myself and my two sons.
In October I decided to begin my grocery delivery and personal shopping service on the Dumpling platform. When I researched the company they advertised themselves as a payment processor and business tool for small businesses. They claimed to be an ethical alternative to big grocery delivery companies and promised me the ability own my own business. They promised that I would be able run my business autonomously, set my own pricing and that 100% of all gratuities went directly to me . All I needed to get started was $20 to sign up. This seemed like the perfect opportunity for me. I really did not have any funds or seed money to start a business as I was unemployed. I also was not interested in being an a gig worker for one of the large grocery delivery companies, since I was working in the restaurant industry as a gig worker when the pandemic hit, and had heard horror stories from people in that industry. So I signed up and started to launch my business.
2 weeks after I signed up with Dumpling they announced they were making major changes to their pricing model, taking away the business owners' ability to set their own prices, require minimum gratuities and cover the 5% platform fee for our clients. After a huge uproar from hundreds and hundreds of Dumpling business owners, Dumpling decided not to implement most of the changes, but refuses to reverse course on taking away our ability to require a minimum gratuity with each order. For most Dumpling business owners, including myself, the service fee covers business expenses such as the 3.9% + $0.30 credit card processing fee, fuel, vehicle maintenance, insurance, marketing and other business expenses, while gratuities is our salary. Taking away our ability to require a minimum gratuity means that we now run the risk of having orders where we won't make any money to help support our families. The only other alternative is to raise our fee and that is something I want to avoid if at all possible.
Many business owners have requested to see the data Dumpling claims to have collected from customers and which they claim supports this decision but have been ignored. We have tried to plead our case to Dumpling and get them to see reason, but they have chosen to ignore us and censor detractors by blocking them from the very Facebook group they advertise as a communication and customer service tool for business owners, and require us to join. They have also threatened to kick those people off of the platform. I don't want to be a part of a company that feels that it is ok to treat their clients in this manner.
For these reasons, I have come to the conclusion that the only way I can continue to stay in business and grow my business is if I transition my business off of the Dumpling platform. With these changes I would have to raise my fees so high that it would be impossible to retain my current clients or attract new business. Fortunately, I have found an alternative to Dumpling in Square. I am currently building a website where my clients will be able to make appointments, so that I can showcase information about the services I offer and much more. Transitioning my business off of Dumpling will allow me to continue to offer my services at my current fee and save my clients the added expense of paying a platform fee on every order. My goal in starting this business was never to get rich, but just to be able to make an honest living doing something that I love and that I am very good at and that is still true. I enjoy getting to know my clients and shopping for them and want to continue offering them the same great, highly personalized services at a price they can afford.
Why I Need Your Help
In order to make this transition I have had to purchase a domain name and pay for website hosting. I also have to order all new business cards and marketing materials, because the ones I ordered just a month ago will be invalidated when Dumpling's changes go into effect December 1st, 2020. Since I have been unemployed for the majority of the year and my business is only a month old, coming up with the money for these expenses has been very difficult. In addition to the unexpected expenses I have incurred as a result of Dumpling's changes, my business vehicle has also recently developed a problem with the exhaust system, and there is no way I can afford to fix it right now, further endangering my ability to stay in business.
I am trying to raise $1500 to help me get my car fixed, order new business cards and marketing materials and help me cover any other unexpected expenses that may arise from transitioning my business off of the Dumpling platform. I know that this is a difficult time for so many people and would greatly appreciate any help at all. No amount is too small. As a thank you for your support, you will receive a gift in the form of a shopping & delivery fee credit, according to the table below, good towards any future orders!
Donation Amount Gift Amount
$20-$100 $10 service fee credit
up to $200 $15 service fee credit
up to $300 $20 service fee credit
up to $400 $25 service fee credit
up to $500 $30 service fee credit
$500 or more 5% off service fee credit for life!!
Thank you again for taking the time to read my story and request. Your support means the world to me! I know these are difficult times and honestly don't even expect much to come of this, but I had to at least had to give it a try. If you are able and willing to help, please know that no amount is too small, every little bit helps and will be greatly appreciated. And if you can't I totally understand! As a thank you for taking the time to read this, I would like to offer you $5 off the service fee on any order. Just mention GoFundMe in the notes of your order and I will give you the discount at checkout. For more information about my business and the services I provide, please visit me on Dumpling and Facebook at the links listed below. Thanks again for your time and help! I wish you a happy and joyful holiday season!
My Dumpling Webpage
My Facebook Page 
