Thursday, July 09, 2009

Sales Reps and YOU!

Over the past month I have been seeking sales representation of my greeting card line through various sales representative agencies and independent reps, and I am shocked to find out it's not as easy as I thought! I was sure, I would contact a few people and they would take on little A Punkin Card Company and I would see my cards in Target by the holidays. Boy, was I incorrect.
This is a hard game of find the right person with the right contacts to get your line out there. It's more detective work then simple Hi's and Hello's. I was contacted by several reps right away (I placed an ad on Greatrep.com). Full of excitement, I emailed them back right away! Questions about this, what their terms or fees were, success they had, etc. Weeks went by with no responses and I was sure it's something I said or didn't say that lead me to not receive a response.
Still, I have no received answers from some of the reps, others did get around to emailing me back but did not have the qualifications I was looking for. Now I am back to square one. Still looking for sales reps to get A Punkin Card Company in stores all over the country.
I did receive an inquire from an Australian representative company this week through Etsy. And I must say, they have been the best at answering my questions, sending me references, and letting me know everything I can getting myself into. Why is it that this company can answer my questions 30 minutes after I sent the email and the others, after 5 weeks, have not returned a simple email? I don't know, and I am not here to rant or gripe. I just want artists out there like me to understand, it's hard and not easy at all. I assumed it would be like popping popcorn in the microwave. Press a button and it's done. Well, take it from me, it's not and now I know!

6 comments:

Judy said...

Trust me, the ones that don't get back to you in a timely manner won't serve your potential customers any better. Their lack of response IS answering you most important questions! Be patient and keep looking.

A Punkin Card Company said...

That is the best advice I have heard all day! Thank you.

Maison de Lucille said...

I have zero advice, I just ran across your blog via Etsy. I love your creations! I concur with Judy :-)

A Punkin Card Company said...

Maison, thanks for your advice! Also welcome to the blog!!

Alyssa S. said...

I sure hope it all works out for you soon. I'll keep checking at Target for your cards :)

A Punkin Card Company said...

I would die if my cards were at Target!! You would see me at the store on the floor.. dead!

 

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