Thoughts on being a distributor

[AspenF150]

Lately, I've been putting some thought into being a Distributor. I won't mention product names.

For those of you who are a distributor, I have some questions for you.

-Do you enjoy what you do?

-Do you feel it is more cost effective to deliver product or ship? Say your route is a 75 mile radius

-Do you use your own vehicle with a trailer or do you own/lease a van?

Any other information you have I would much appreciate!

[AspenF150]

Also on another note, I do not intend to compete with the site sponsors. I respect them to the fullest and wish them well.

[Beemerboy]

I work with Steve at Poorboys and love talking about the product...its something that keeps in connected to the industry...as for deliveries...your better off shipping unless you plan to have inventory on site...even then cost of driving and auto up keep can eat into profit...remember the customer pays for the shipping not you in most cases.

This also depends on the kind of accounts you are going after commercial would / could be a hand delivery..where as the small weekender is a ship...this is also predicated on what type of account your supplier is geared to work with

If you can work out with the company to have them drop ship your orders so that you don't have to keep inventory it would be even better...All you have to do is manage the orders and make sure that the suppler is paid

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[AspenF150]

If I ship to some of my accounts, I would want to ship all over the country. Just use the standard flat rate regardless how little how much one orders. There's a few places around here that would make a great storefront but need the funding first. Get enough business demand that would need a storefront.

There's a few body shops and dealerships and one "detailer" in town so I would be open to them and anyone else in the area.

Supplier, I would probably set up shop right with the company. Giving there's no other distributors in my area selling my one brand name product. The only thing that's going to kill me is start up costs. Buying a trailer, buying products would be my biggest investements. Am I on the right track so far?

FWIW, I have no sales experience nor customer service experience.

[Ronkh]

Originally Posted by AspenF150

If I ship to some of my accounts, I would want to ship all over the country. Just use the standard flat rate regardless how little how much one orders. There's a few places around here that would make a great storefront but need the funding first. Get enough business demand that would need a storefront.

There's a few body shops and dealerships and one "detailer" in town so I would be open to them and anyone else in the area.

Supplier, I would probably set up shop right with the company. Giving there's no other distributors in my area selling my one brand name product. The only thing that's going to kill me is start up costs. Buying a trailer, buying products would be my biggest investements. Am I on the right track so far?

FWIW, I have no sales experience nor customer service experience.

IMHO - Selling only one brand DO NOT OPEN A STORE !!!

Now let me give you my reasoning.
First, I used to be a retailer.
Second, I do site selection for retail real estate.
Third, I do retail real estate leasing.

Now if you sold more than one brand as well as widned your product selection (like car accessories etc) you would have a better chance of survival.

Since my advice was free, take it for what it's worth.

[AspenF150]

Thanks Ron! If I do a store, not my biggest priority right now, It would be more like a PBE store.

Until I get my distribution info. packet, I'll get a better idea of how to do things. I'll probably just start off advertisting in newspapers & websites.

[AspenF150]

On a second note, what about selling on ebay? I've read some companies don't like selling there stuff on ebay?

[AspenF150]

delete

[Beemerboy]

Originally Posted by AspenF150

FWIW, I have no sales experience nor customer service experience.

You better start reading some sales books

One that I would suggest is very easy to understand and to the point

The One Minute Sales Person


not sure who wrote it but its a very good book on the subject...

[Beemerboy]

Originally Posted by Ronkh

IMHO - Selling only one brand DO NOT OPEN A STORE !!!

Now let me give you my reasoning.
First, I used to be a retailer.
Second, I do site selection for retail real estate.
Third, I do retail real estate leasing.

Now if you sold more than one brand as well as widned your product selection (like car accessories etc) you would have a better chance of survival.

Since my advice was free, take it for what it's worth.

Solid advice!