Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

chris,

was it over when the germans bombed pearl harbor? i don`t think so!! (know the movie?)

one mo` thing: make sure you call the buyer at the chain and ask her/him this simple question:

WHY NOT?

many times jeff and i have been rejected (you may have read about this in our book). but by learning why, (or why not) we always were able to either increase our odds at the next account or overcome the concerns at the naysaying account.

for example, in this case, you may be able to provide some product on a "guaranteed sale" basis so it takes the risk out of it for the chain... tell them you will test it that way in just a few stores... but most of all, LISTEN. you need to know EXACTLY why this happened if you`re going to decrease the chances of it happening in the future.

GO GET `EM!!!

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Rich Sloan , Co-Founder, Chief Startupologist, StartupNation

Chris,

I just read followin success story, allow me to share it with you:

" I own a specialty food company called The Dippy Chick Company. I`ve been in business since November of 2004. I make all of my products from scratch as well as design the packaging and site myself. I am currently in over 30 retail stores and it`s growing quickly. (...) I am also an inventor with 2 patents - one of which I successfully licensed. I am happily married to a wonderful guy. We have 2 little boys (ages 4 and 1) whom I love dearly."

I hope this will cheer you up a little bit (-;

Kind regards,

Pierre

pierre,

you`re AWESOME!

rich

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Rich Sloan , Co-Founder, Chief Startupologist, StartupNation

Rich,

The Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? I must have missed that day in history class

R@

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Richard Arnold · Key Concept Writers · Business Communication: The "Key" To Success· Law of Attraction Blog · Life Ain`t Brain Surgery Blog

Animal House!

Thanks for cheering me up. I plan on contacting the buyer. I don`t have a number, just an address, so I guess I`ll follow up with a thank you letter and ask.

Pierre - Yes! That did help. Thank you! I am one of those people who keeps going and going and going and sometimes forget to reflect on what I`ve accomplished already. Thanks for the reminder.

just so you know, the letter probably won`t work. you gotta call. you have tons of charisma and humor and i`m sure it will be a good conversation if you can get through.

btw, i didn`t realize you submitted this without talking to the buyer. i would strongly encourage you to always talk to the recipient before sending along a sales package. or, ideally, try to set up an in-person meeting as an alternative to sending something.

ask for just 10 minutes. that`s all you need to get them psyched!!!

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Rich Sloan , Co-Founder, Chief Startupologist, StartupNation

Rich, that is their policy for submitting products to them for consideration. They just tell you to send it and don`t give any other information except the buyers` names and the mailing address. I will try to locate their phone number and track down the buyer.
Chris

To submit a retail item for consideration, send the following information to:

xxxxx
xxxxx

• Your company name, address, phone, fax, and email address
• Name of contact person
• Wholesale price list
• Photos, catalogs, or actual sample (samples will not be returned)
• Points of interest pertaining to your company and/or products
• If an import item, include the country of origin and FOB shipping port
• If a food item, indicate shelf life and any special handling requirements

Direct your product to one of the buyers listed below.  Due to the volume of items we receive, you must allow 6-8 weeks for a response.  After the product is reviewed, we will respond to all submissions by phone or mail.

Submission of a product does not guarantee acceptance for retail sale.

If your product is selected for potential sale in our stores, you will be contacted by one of our buyers to complete the Merchandise Vendor Application. Please do not complete the application unless you are contacted by a Buyer to do so.

1. Review a checklist of the information needed to complete the Vendor Application.
2. Vendors must have comprehensive general liability and contractual insurance with minimum primary policy limits of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence. 
3. Vendors must meet all applicable industry standards for specific types of merchandise they manufacture or distribute.
4. It is required that the Retail Merchandise Vendor Application Form is completed and copies of all appropriate licenses submitted before Cracker Barrel can do business with any vendor.

If asked to complete the Retail Merchandise Vendor Application form, please click here.

Completion of the Vendor Application should not be construed as a guarantee that Cracker Barrel will purchase any goods or services from the prospective vendor. Final acceptance is subject to application approval the vendor’s ability to comply with all requirements and specifications noted in the Compliance Manual section of this website.

then make a friend of a manager at one of their locations. you MUST work around this formal process and get a personal referral.

i totally understand and respect the rules. you`ve done that now. at this point you`ve got to find a personal contact... be "guerilla" about this. you have to get personally recognized somehow. can you do this?

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Rich Sloan , Co-Founder, Chief Startupologist, StartupNation

Rich, I can see it now... Chris is hangin’ out in here hail beaten auto, in the parking lot of the store. Spots the store manager leaving for home after a six hour wait. When the store manager reaches home, Chris pops out and says, “I have heard you are a great person to know. We should have lunch sometime.”

What shall be the ending;

Store manager, “Wow, I have been hearing people whispering behind my back lately. Sure I would love to go to lunch. How about tomorrow?”


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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

Thanks! Okay, I will track her down and try to get some answers. I really thought my products would wow them. It was kind of hurtful to get that form letter, but I guess everyone feels that way when they submit their stuff. Everyone thinks their product is great. I guess it would be nice to know if I`ve been rejected due to lack of shelf space, or my product-types don`t sell well there, or my packaging isn`t quite right, or what. I want to know if I should resubmit ever, or just not bother. And if there`s something I can make that they`re looking for, then I`ll try that.

I`ll let you guys know how I fare.