Over the years, I’ve traveled to about every type of business that uses sample swatches: retail stores, trim and upholstery shops, boat stores, distributors, manufactures, wholesalers, the list is endless. Mostly these business all have one thing in common-they store there sample books and cards etc. in big piles, drawer, closet or shelves..
A large percentage of my business is selling to manufactures or importers of vinyl and clothe fabrics; who in turn, sell through wholesale distributors, who in turn distribute to business I’ve listed above.
I’ve been preaching for many years, “these companies need to help the end user companies, to keep their sample programs to a higher standard”;after-all its one of the most expensiveve cost of doing business for fabric companies..I always use the analogy, of the cigarette salesman from the 1920’s thru the 70’s, who traveled their territories, with a car full of cigarette signs, a hammer and a box full of nails..These salesman would call on every drug store, gas station, and market that carried cigarettes..Whatever salesman came in the store last, that was the sign you saw—lucky strikes were nailed over the top of chesterfields, over Phillip MOrris over Pall Mall etc. ( you get the idea)
Why an I telling you this? Because there will be 47 1/2 to 300 samples next to or on top of your companies samples..
SUGGESTION: With this economy, there are many people out of work; some are retired, who need extra income, or are just bored at home-pay these people by the hour, or the customer or both, plus gas expenses, letting them call on all your accounts in different areas..He or she can carry a hammer and nails, clean rags, Windex,etc. and CREATE LOADS OF GOOD WILL cleaning and straightening up all the customers samples; OF COURSE PUTTING YOUR SAMPLES TO THE FRONT OF THE STACK.
You could also sell a line of sample hanging racks, and your cleaning person, trained correctly, could introduce new products you are selling…
WOW! WOULDN’T THAT BE TERRIFIC?