Know-How Exchange : Strategy

Sometimes its a combination, but most will purchase as a dealer and take it from there. Even when they purchase and resell, many have you take back unsold product. There are those types of product that will be drop shipped from vendor (I just sent a wreath from William Sonoma where that is the case) but, no they don't guarantee sale. They are going to vary, so get their info vs generic.

I don't think his marketing to dealers as he is is not produtive use of his time. Many of these catalogue stores (like William Sonoma) have bricks and mortar stores.. Gettting product in there is a double marketing punch. If he's getting sales, he may be ready to bring on a rep network.

As a person that promotes products to catalogs I can tell you each catalog will have a vendor form for submitting products. Just call for it. Ask for the merchandising or buying department. Many will test your product on their website first if they accept it. They will buy a small quantity from you at wholesale. They will not send back unsold product unless you have agreed to a "guaranteed sale" clause in the agreement. Be careful with that. This is how QVC works in most cases.

Dear Winnie,

Great advice above. There's one other thing you can do.

Given the number of Google searches for salt alternatives, no salt,
salt free recipes, and so on, why not also set up a simple website,
tell your story, give details, set up a simple PayPal button, and take orders directly from consumers.

That way, you can charge whatever's reasonable and make a decent profit. Throw in guides, recipes, video content, social proof and you have an instant additional solution.

Find a web designer at www.elance.com or at www.guru.com.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

Gary Bloomer
Wilmington, DE, USA

i am somewhat familiar with this process having done something like that for a gift product.

your friend might want to try to sell directly to a distributor who buys the product in bulk and then does all the work of getting it into stores - selling it to retailers. that is by far the easiest way to go but not the most lucrative for the producer.

also - depending on the price point... gift basket mfgs can be a good market to sell into. and... mfgs reps might be an avenue, as is the state agricultural division that promotes specialty foods.