advice on how I can offer supplies to independent shops?
Hi, there.
I happen to have stocks of custome jewellery and silver from Bali, cause I have a friend making jewellery in Bali.
Now, I want to offer those I have to gift shops around.
But I am very new at this. I dont really know how.
What is the code :
Should I call and make appointment?
or
Should I just go and ask ?
(I did this once, but the owner did not even want to look at the
goods I had, as soon as she heard handmade, she backed off.
Though I was not sure, that’s the handmade that made her back off, It might just be me. How I talked.
Can anyone help with this?
Anyone have experience?
Thanks
You can take a number of different approaches, but the best way is to make you seem professional. You also have to be persistent – things take time in business, especially small businesses where every penny counts.
I would start by sending letters to shops that could potentially sell your product. Don’t forget to include your phone number as well as an introduction to the product. Encourage them to call you in order to respond.
Despite this, it is likely that 95% of the people you send letters to will not respond. If they do, you have a quick sale that you can follow-up with a phone call, appointment and delivery of the goods. If they do not respond (which is very likely, so do not get put-down about it), follow up the letter with a phone call after one week and ask if they want to see the products (ie make an appointment).
If they are not interested with the phone call: leave it there. If they are, then book an appointment to see them and sell your product. If they are hesitant (and this is important), tell them you will pass by within the week. You do not need to have an appointment, just suggest that you’ll be in the area.
When you have your appointment/passing visit, remember to be nice, genuine, but a bit cheekily pushy. Remember to bargain on the price and set your prices high at the beginning so they can be bargained down from there.
Don’t take it personally that the owner of the shop – handmade is usually a selling point and shows good workmanship. Try and be a bit more forceful in showing your product though – if you believe it to be a good product then so will they.
I hope that helps.
You can take a number of different approaches, but the best way is to make you seem professional. You also have to be persistent – things take time in business, especially small businesses where every penny counts.
I would start by sending letters to shops that could potentially sell your product. Don’t forget to include your phone number as well as an introduction to the product. Encourage them to call you in order to respond.
Despite this, it is likely that 95% of the people you send letters to will not respond. If they do, you have a quick sale that you can follow-up with a phone call, appointment and delivery of the goods. If they do not respond (which is very likely, so do not get put-down about it), follow up the letter with a phone call after one week and ask if they want to see the products (ie make an appointment).
If they are not interested with the phone call: leave it there. If they are, then book an appointment to see them and sell your product. If they are hesitant (and this is important), tell them you will pass by within the week. You do not need to have an appointment, just suggest that you’ll be in the area.
When you have your appointment/passing visit, remember to be nice, genuine, but a bit cheekily pushy. Remember to bargain on the price and set your prices high at the beginning so they can be bargained down from there.
Don’t take it personally that the owner of the shop – handmade is usually a selling point and shows good workmanship. Try and be a bit more forceful in showing your product though – if you believe it to be a good product then so will they.
I hope that helps.
References :
As has been said elsewhere, you need to come across as totally professional and a reliable supplier. Before you approach any outlets, think about the recommended retail price of the jewellery, the trade price, minimum order quantities, delivery times when stocks are low and how well you can respond to a surge in demand.
Carefully select outlets that look as if they sell similar goods. Research them beforehand. Check their website, look at the prices in their windows. All of this helps give you a better idea of whether they’ll be receptive to your approach.
Remember that these shops are approached every day or week by people who want them to stock their products. Why should they stock yours? Think about the things that would make your products an asset to their stock and the sort of thing their customers would want to buy.
Once you’ve worked all this out, telephone and ask for an appointment. Be excited about your product and what it can do for their business. It can be the finest made jewellery in the world but if you can’t help them understand how it will enhance their business, they won’t touch it. Is it exclusive to you or are there others who sell very similar? Would you be able to agree with the shop that they are the only outlet for it within a 5 or 10 mile radius, say?
Good luck!
References :
Have been a distributor for goods