14 replies to this topic

[Chris Miller]

This is a question for our suppliers. The poll is 100% anonymous and no one will know how you voted, or have access to the results of the poll. You are not obligated to reply to the post either.

The question is simple.... Does your company sell exclusively to distributors or do you have direct sales channels within the industry, or perhaps retail channels for your products?

The reason for this poll is to get a feel for how many suppliers out there make 100% of their revenue selling to the industry, through distributors. I have a feeling the number is small....

[BarbC]

Hi Chris,

If I were a supplier I would not take this poll you as the owner can see the messages. I am surprised you even posted this here.

We know the suppliers selling direct, we see them with their retail divisions in Target, Walmart, etc.

We see their LIVE Contact US and SIGN UP for Our Newsletter pages.

There is an ethical way of doing things, new and it works. You know what it is..... Promo Leads.

Take Care.

Barbara

[Chris Miller]

Barbara,

I am not posting this to discover suppliers who you think do business "unethically" (is that really the word?, or maybe "not to our liking"?). I am trying to see how many suppliers make 100% of their revenue through distributors, and this industry only. I don't think there are many.

[BarbC]

Chris,

I understand your intention. My question to you is.... does it really matter and why?

Enjoy the day.

Barbara

[dallastucker]

ActNow Media ONLY sells through distributors...

[ScottH]

Chris-if you were an ASI member, you'd have this info! They just published it last month...

LOL!

[Chris Miller]

scottheavin said:

Chris-if you were an ASI member, you'd have this info! They just published it last month...

LOL!

ASI reports what people tell them. And 1/2 of it is complete BS. Talk about LOL... I literally did just laugh out loud. :D :D

[ScottH]

Chris Miller said:

ASI reports what people tell them. And 1/2 of it is complete BS. Talk about LOL... I literally did just laugh out loud. :D :D

Aren't you asking suppliers to 'report' here? Think they only lie to ASI? :)

[royster13]

I am going to guess that less than 10% of the suppliers operating sell exclusively to PPDs....Suppliers often sell into other markets....Souvenirs, photo shops, trophy shops, golf pro shops, colleges, credit unions, etc. etc. etc.....

[jimknecht]

Yesterday I was talking with one of the big mug suppliers in the industry & he told me their industry sales were way down this year & that they would be badly hurt if not for their sales in other markets... such as souvenir.

BTW, Dooley is 100% committed to our distributors & this industry. Yes, times are changing (as always) but I still feel good about trusting you folks with all my sales.

[tmertz]

TradeNet manufactures products private label that are not used/sold in this industry.

We have resellers that sell into the retail market.

We provide trade printing services to quick printers.

As a company rule we do not sell anything to the ultimate user. 100% of TradeNet's sales are through resellers or Distributors but in multiple industries.

[ScreenPlay]

We're exclusively contract screen-printing, pad-printing, embroidery etc, and I don't see anything wrong with asking the question.

[Promo Man]

I have no problem with a supplier selling direct, even to our customer base - as long as they are providing pricing that allows us to be competitive and make our standard margins.

[royster13]

Just curious what a "standard margin" is these days....With all the competition from direct sellers it is getting harder and harder to use what worked in the past.....

[rosec]

I'd b.s. ASI every day of the week....but you really can not pull wool over eyes here......

1% of Anaconda is promotional through distribuitors. Our division deals only with the distribuitors. We keep things seperate as to avoid cross selling and confusion.

We have about 5 to 8 accounts - not big boys- that were our accounts before ASI was even thought of. They will remain ours. Other than that we are the second largest privately owned supplier to schools, leauges and government agencys in the country.

as always, R

Edited by rosec, 30 December 2009 - 01:36 PM.
tpyo