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OnTray

posts: 39

Dec 17, 2007 10:33 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I am interested in finding independent sales reps to market and sell my product, OnTray. What do you all think is the best way to find them? Is the best way placing ads or does anyone know if there are online gathering places for these people (sales reps)? My other reps have found me, so I`m not sure how to find more!

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Laura Hamrick
Creator of OnTray; the Container 2 Go!
http://www.ontray2go.com

bert

posts: 393

Dec 17, 2007 11:53 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Cool product idea! You should market them directly to the grocery and department store chains. I will bet if you can get them to set up a display at their front doors where the carts are at you will not need sales reps or other advertising. Selling them any other way seems very hard to me. The timing for sales appeal is at the stores when they walk in...

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Bert at Harvey Software, Inc.
Multi-Carrier Shipping Software and Supply Chain Solutions for Internet Retailers

Also a provider of free shipping information and resources at Harvey Software`s Parcel Shipping Blog along with free tracking solutions at TrackingPage.com...

OnTray

posts: 39

Dec 17, 2007 4:44 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Thanks Bert!

The problem with marketing directly to the grocery chains is that you need to work with a buyer. They are so incredibly busy, that actually catching them on the phone is difficult. I`ve slowly become a stalker! Oh well, I`ll keep plugging away!

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Laura Hamrick
Creator of OnTray; the Container 2 Go!
http://www.ontray2go.com

LiveWise

posts: 89

Dec 18, 2007 1:40 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Great Idea! I really like it, but, do the kids keep the food on the tray? I know how messy my floor got with my little girl. My suggestion is to make some with a lid that has a small opening so that the kids could only get one or two out at a time. Offer these trays for older kids that aren`t going to make the Cheerios fly.

Also, I think you should go to the grocery chains too. Be bold. They didn`t put those fun shopping carts that kids ride in without somebody going out on a limb. In addition, maybe you could approach pre-schools and sell them/have order forms through the school.

I think that if you had independent reps, you would probably have to increase the price of the product to pay the reps so much and it may take it out of the price range I would pay for the product..

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Natalie Berrett
Part of the largest and fastest growing bookstore franchises in the world!
100% Money Back Satisfaction Guarantee!
www.MyBookWise.com/LiveWise
FREE Preferred Customer Membership.
Save up to 42% on books, CDs, DVDs, and college textbooks. Video games are coming soon.
A portion of the profits goes towards helping abused kids and fighting illiteracy.

OnTray

posts: 39

Dec 18, 2007 8:34 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Thanks Natalie!

If you visit my site, www.ontray2go.com, and scroll down a bit on my homepage, my designer put together a great animation of how the product works. You`ll see that OnTray has a lid that slides off, and can be attached to the bottom so you don`t lose it. It can also slide off just a little bit so you can have a slight opening like you suggested. My children love that I have snacks in the tray and know that throwing food is unacceptable behavior. I guess it`s a case by case scenario.

I like your idea of preschools. I`ll be sure to look into that. Thanks!

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Laura Hamrick
Creator of OnTray; the Container 2 Go!
http://www.ontray2go.com

bert

posts: 393

Dec 18, 2007 11:03 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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LiveWise, it is funny the first thing I thought of was Cheerios too!

Laura, Maybe Cheerios would promote the product in stores for you...

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Bert at Harvey Software, Inc.
Multi-Carrier Shipping Software and Supply Chain Solutions for Internet Retailers

Also a provider of free shipping information and resources at Harvey Software`s Parcel Shipping Blog along with free tracking solutions at TrackingPage.com...

OnTray

posts: 39

Dec 18, 2007 11:33 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Great idea! I have the paperwork to proceed with that option (Cheerios), so maybe I`ll make that top priority in `08. Thanks!

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Laura Hamrick
Creator of OnTray; the Container 2 Go!
http://www.ontray2go.com

studiocherie

posts: 68

Dec 18, 2007 8:24 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Hi Laura,

If you want to be in the baby boutiques, checkout jamesgirone.com. It`s mostly about fashion, since that is what really moves through those stores and makes them money, but you may find something there. Here is a list of sales reps you could contact. Not sure if that link will work, so if it doesn`t, go to the jamesgirone link and scroll right and down then click on "manufacturers reps."

I am in the same process with my products because there is only so much one person can do!

My sister lives in a small town outside Seattle that has at least two small variety stores that are mom and pop operations. Those people are easy to talk to and very open to small, inexpensive items - especially a new invention like yours. Maybe through the forum here you could recruit people in small towns to rep your product to mom and pop shops. Make your own sales force! I just thought of another friend of mine who owns a small town drug store... Hmmm, I think we need to talk.

For Baby Care Accessories as cool as On-Tray...(not an actual slogan)

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Warm Regards,
Cherie

Quality accessories for you and baby, made in USA
Studio Cherie

OnTray

posts: 39

Dec 18, 2007 9:03 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Cherie,

You are amazing. What a fantastic resource! This just goes to show you that networking is such a terrific tool. I will let you know if anything comes of me surfing jamesgirone.com.

Thanks again, Cherie!

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Laura Hamrick
Creator of OnTray; the Container 2 Go!
http://www.ontray2go.com

tgroup

posts: 111

Dec 19, 2007 9:50 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Hey Laura-

You might want to check out some of the gift shows (as an attendee) in your area. Walk around and see if you find any rep groups carrying complementary lines or calling on the stores you want to target. You`ll also usually find a bulletin board with reps looking for lines. There`s also the Manufacturers Agents National Association (costs about $400 to join).

Good luck,
RF

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