HELP!

[SouthernEssence]

An owner of a gift shop out of town is wanting me to send her samples. I only have 1 wholesale customer and they're 3 miles away so I've never sent samples before.

What do I send? Do I send her whole bars in the packaging and everything? I have about 20 different soaps, do I send her like 5 bars?

 

[dragonfly princess]

Send just 1 or 2 of what you make. If they like them, make them pay for them Just my personal 2 cents....

 

[Lane]

I'd send one nice bar, packaged and labeled. And then some 'raw' samples like inch cubes in little baggies with their scents labeled so they can get a feel for your variety. I wouldn't send a sample of EVERY bar you make, but like five of your best.

 

[Tabitha]

Lane hit it on the nose.

One sample so they can see the finished labeled produc & the smaller cubes for scent samples.

 

[Lane]

Lane hit it on the nose.

One sample so they can see the finished labeled produc & the smaller cubes for scent samples.

Thanks! I once sent a large sample package to a local store who was asking about carrying my line. I sent 10 really pretty packages bars, and never heard back from the place... If you figure you sell the bars at $5.00, I was out $50.00.

 

[NEASoapWorks]

Yep

I would send one bar, for presentation, and some smaller "slices" for variety.

 

[SouthernEssence]

Ok I sent her the samples. She wanted something Lavender so I sent her my Lavender & Goats Milk in a full size bar with packaging. I also sent 6 end pieces (about 1/4 thick) of other soaps. Of course I took a picture too. :wink:

 

[Lane]

That looks great! Good use of your end pieces too... I really like your boxes!!

 

[Lucy]

How far from you is this store? I would make the effort to visit personally if it it's nt hundreds of miles away. You can always ship product afterwards.

 

[SouthernEssence]

How far from you is this store? I would make the effort to visit personally if it it's nt hundreds of miles away. You can always ship product afterwards.

3 hours away. I'm not spending that much on gas for a possible sale.

I just mapquested it 164.72 miles, 3 hours and 18 minutes.

 

[Guest]

presentation

What I do is make small scent samples, about the size of petit fours. I send about four or five of my best scents.

Then, shrink wrap them and place them on a long piece of cardboard...then shrink wrap the whole thing....place my label on it, and send it in a decorative box along with one full-size bar and my press kit.

 

[pink-north]

Southern Essence, how did you go about getting your first wholesale account. I'm considering asking a shop owner here in town to carry my soaps, but I don't know what I should say or how I should approach her. Any help for a newbie like myself? I would really appreciate it.

 

[SouthernEssence]

Southern Essence, how did you go about getting your first wholesale account. I'm considering asking a shop owner here in town to carry my soaps, but I don't know what I should say or how I should approach her. Any help for a newbie like myself? I would really appreciate it.

They contact me through my website.

 

[pink-north]

How do they know who you are and that you even exist? Did you send out flyers, a press kit, anything?

 

[SouthernEssence]

How do they know who you are and that you even exist? Did you send out flyers, a press kit, anything?

They just find my website online and fill out the wholesale form I have on my site. See: www.southern-essence.com

 

[pink-north]

Thank you for answering my questions. I appreciate it.

 

[Krickett]

Just what is a press kit? I am like so clueless here!! Many Thx for the answers!


Krickett