selling to a retailer

[ShirtsNGiggles]

I'm planning on writing a letter or contacting a specific retailer to buy my products.

Ideally I would like them to buy some of my products and sell retail price in their store. I would first like to just approach one store, and then maybe more of them later on.

Who should I address this letter to? Store manager possibly?
What are some most important things I should put in the letter? Our prices, quality, how they will benefit?
How long should this letter be?

[eightmanagement]

Yes, I would approach the store manager first, maybe via telephone. Find out who does the new product ordering, then send a formal letter to them. If it is the store manager, just tell them that you will send them a formal letter and follow up via phone in a week. I wouldn't give away your pricing right away, wait until they follow up with you. Show them your products, maybe some comparison's to comparable established brands, and possibly some of their competitors who are already carrying your line. Be aggressive in your follow up; ask if you can bring samples by. If you get the admin, try to schedule an appointment.

Good luck.

[orion_joel]

If you are writing a letter, i would address it to the manager, in most cases unless it is a fairly lkarge department store, you will porbably find that the Manager has the final say in most if not all purchasing decision.

I would state in the letter, that you will follow up by phone in a week, and maybe even offer to bring a free sample for the manager personally if they can let you know the correct Size. I dont know about you but me as a manager of a company still like to see the word FREE and if nothing else that would at least get me to call you to see what you are offering and give me a more interested oppinion rather then oh here is someone else trying to sell me somthing.

[Wayne Luke]

As a buyer, I can say that if I get a letter from someone wanting me to buy a new product that it will go into a pile to be looked at when I have time. If it is email, it usually be deleted. I don't run a very large business. In fact it is part time right now and my wife and I will only make about $10,000 on it this year. However our mailbox is packed with hundreds of such letters each week and I simply don't have the time or energy or motivation to care about them.

However, if someone does contact me they need to give me all the information. I don't have time to attend product demonstrations in a week, I want to know what you are selling and for how much within the first minute. Don't tell me that and it isn't worth my time. Want to stand out then you send me a package with your product catalog, a sample product, offer me some nice incentive to carry your product and I will look into it. Show some initiative and give a presentation. Much better impression than a letter. Remember you are basically advertising your product and company by reaching out like this.