subject: Know your dollar store suppliers and their rules [print this page] Know your dollar store suppliers and their rules
Owning and operating a dollar store is both exciting and challenging. On the one hand if you like variety there is plenty of it. On the other hand there are many complex activities that must be carried out properly or your sales and profits will suffer. One of the most important tasks is that of locating suppliers, determining exactly the right merchandise to order, and then following through with the ordering process, and finally receiving and displaying the incoming dollar store merchandise upon arrival at your store. This article focuses on dollar store suppliers and your expectations of those suppliers.
Some dollar store suppliers require preregistration and approval before you can make a purchase. When first opening, owning and operating a dollar store the delay associated with this process can be devastating to sales. Make sure you are set to go. Then replenishment orders won't be delayed because of paperwork and administrative problems and details.
Some suppliers have minimum purchase requirements. Make sure you clearly understand exactly the rules associated with dealing with different wholesale suppliers. Don't put yourself in the position of submitting a replenishment order only to find out they have a minimum dollar amount requirement.
Some suppliers have minimum quantity requirements. Those owning and operating a dollar store know some suppliers sell only by the case. In other rarer instances some require multiple cases, and even pallet sized purchases. Find out the requirements upfront.
Some do not keep an up-to-date inventory online. It is extremely easy to find out what items are available when suppliers provide online access to accurate inventory levels. Make sure your chosen suppliers do provide accurate information. There is nothing worse than spending your time developing and then submitting an order only to find everything you need so badly is out of stock.
Some wholesale suppliers and their employees do not communicate well. They are terrible about answering the telephone, as well as responding to messages and emails. Be sure to test communication with your new suppliers before making any decisions about ordering from them.
Some suppliers do not pull, pack and ship quickly. It is almost as if your order is thrown on a desk somewhere. And of course you find out about the slow timing when you are desperate for the items you have ordered. Try a sample order or two to make sure your newest suppliers do provide quick processing throughput time on all new orders.
To your success owning and operating a dollar store!
