| When first opening a dollar store people | | | | special needs and expectation on your checklist |
| sometimes make assumptions about locating their | | | | and be sure you bring them up early in the first |
| dollar store suppliers. Some assume other | | | | call. Be sure you also include the more specific |
| close-by dollar store owners will be happy to | | | | information and questions you need answered |
| share all their supplier information. Some assume | | | | such as cost, purchasing less than case-lot sized |
| product distributors are willing to provide the | | | | quantities, and the expectation of weekly or |
| names and other information about their direct | | | | monthly specials. |
| competitors. In other cases there is the | | | | When opening a dollar store it’s also |
| assumption that a quick online search or two will | | | | important to understand that every supplier |
| yield the very best supplier names. Then there | | | | company has many customer representatives. |
| are those who assume making a quick trip to a | | | | Even when someone else says their experiences |
| trade show will yield all the answers. The list goes | | | | with a company were outstanding, you may have |
| on from there. The fact is that each of these | | | | a different representative who doesn’t place |
| options may yield some valuable supplier leads. | | | | customer service at the top of their list. Be sure |
| However it comes down to your continued | | | | to go into every initial order noting problems and |
| investigation, research and due diligence that | | | | concerns. Make sure you provide feedback and |
| determines whether you have in fact found the | | | | ask for help to resolve problems with dollar store |
| perfect supplier for your business or not. | | | | suppliers early on. Get them resolved so future |
| It’s important for everyone who is opening a | | | | dealings are smooth and easy for you. |
| dollar store to realize that finding the perfect | | | | Always perform thorough due diligence before |
| supplier is an ongoing process. You will never be | | | | making the decision to add dollar store suppliers to |
| able to stop asking and looking for suggestions on | | | | your preferred supplier list. You’ll be very |
| potential new dollar store suppliers for your | | | | busy after first opening a dollar store and there |
| business. You will never be able to stop following | | | | simply isn’t time to fix problem after problem |
| up and speaking with prospective suppliers. This is | | | | that could have been discovered beforehand had |
| a part of being in the business you’ve chosen. | | | | you done the research and investigation upfront. |
| You need second sources for the hot, | | | | Check prospective suppliers out. Always start |
| high-volume products you sell. You need new | | | | with a smaller test order to verify all is okay. |
| lower cost sources to help keep the | | | | Once the new supplier has proven they can meet |
| cost-of-goods-sold in your store under control. | | | | your needs go ahead and start ramping up the |
| It’s important to take the time to establish a | | | | size of your orders with them. |
| brief list of your expectations of suppliers in | | | | To your dollar store success! |
| advance of actually contacting them. Some stores | | | | Learn how you can Start your own Dollar Store |
| may have special needs such as tailgate delivery, | | | | Business. |
| or freight caps on all purchases. Include those | | | | |