JD_131

Hi everyone. Although I’ve been reading the forums for a while but haven’t really posted, I do have question now that I hope can be answered on this forum.

My question is mainly about dealing with retail. I’ve read a lot of the retail discussions but haven’t seen an answer to this question – In the next few months I’ll be approaching retail buyers (mostly Westside Los Angeles boutiques), but I also want to sell on my own website. Does anyone have experience trying to do both? Will the retail stores be ok with that? I imagine that my online price should be a little higher than the storefront’s price. That way people could buy on my site for convenience and pay a little higher price without shlepping to the store, but it also maintains the boutique’s “face.” Along the same lines, does anyone have experience dealing with higher end boutiques as related to their contracts? Do I supply my own contract, or do they? Will they want to limit the number of places my t-shirt is sold so I’m contractually bound not to pitch to other boutiques?

Also, if I want to have my t-shirts in the stores by December for the Christmas season, when would be the suggested time to approach the buyers so they can have it by then? I’m thinking October or November.

Thanks so much everyone. I hope everyone can learn from this thread.

 

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soluckytobme

Hi, just a quick bit of info from my experience. I am fairly new to the web biz and have just started to contact boutiques with my brand new line in my town of Las Vegas, what I have found is that the boutiques that are carrying my tees don't have a problem with my own site selling retail. I explain to them that "most" local people want to have a store to go to (try on etc.) all of my online biz so far has been from out of state, they pay for shipping and typically a "local" will end up spending more that way even though my $$ is less. Also, all of my retailers know that my online prices are slightly less than theirs and I haven't encountered an issue yet! What ever you do, just stay honest and go from the feed back you receive. Hope that helps... A

 

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thinkpaddl

JD 131:

I like what you are trying to do as it's similar to what I would do starting out.

About contracts, I see them going in both direction from working in corporate and gov. business. Being new to this tshirt industry and wanting to control your own brand identity and distribution, I think you should sell the benefits to the buyer about having them sign your Sales Order Acknowledgement \ Terms and Condition Agreement stipulating responsibilities, payment terms RMAs, delivery dates, . For both parties protection. If the shop is small, they shouldn't hestitate. Make it look professional

I as a consumer would like to pay the same price whether online or offline. And this won't annoy your brick and mortar store.

 

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