Delivering Excellence To Your Wholesale Customers

A major part of the wholesale order process is delivery, and I want to explore it from the retailer's perspective. Let's look at some simple ways you can make receiving stock as easy as possible for your stockists.

1. If there are any items missing from the delivery, inform your customer prior to dispatch and mark the missing items clearly on the documentation accompanying the delivery.
2. Let the customer know when the order has been dispatched, and include tracking details if you have them.
3. Include a clear dispatch note and/or invoice with the goods. If the shipment includes multiple boxes, each box should have its own list. This makes the checking-in process quick and easy. You should also keep copies of these lists, at least until the shipment has been safely delivered and taken into stock.
4. Pack the items neatly and in an orderly way. If possible, keep styles/types of product together so it is easy for your retailer to organise after unpacking.
5. If the shipment includes multiple boxes, make a note on the front of each box identifying which number it is. For example Box 1/3, Box 2/3, Box 3/3 etc. This makes things much easier for everybody if a box goes missing.
6. Take great care when packing the order. Mistakes made with quantities, size and colour are all common problems with wholesale orders and can cause a lot of head-scratching and frustration for retailers. If possible, have somebody check each box before it is sealed.

Further Reading:
Simplifying the wholesale process
Getting started with wholesale
Getting the best from your wholesale customers
Keeping your online retailers happy