The objective of this project is to facilitate greater visibility into the independent retail market. You will find the sales templates here as well as a button to add a document. This is where you will provide your communication and sales reporting quarterly.
This portal will be used to easily keep track of progress as we move forward with the introduction of the product and company to the network.
Hi, When I try to log into the directory I get the message: “Cheatin’, eh?” Can this be repaired? My username and password are my email that you have on file. Also, is there a more user-friendly access to the directory? For example, I would a like share the list with employees who can reach out directly to the various businesses. We are a startup. Employees are me, my wife, and a part-time employee. Thank you for any help you can provide.
Hi,
Can you send send me a copy of the email blast that was sent out? We would like to see what our potential partners are seeing on their end.
Please email it to brian@arpatea.com.
Thank you,
Brian Daniels
Hi,
Can you log me out of the system? I am getting the message “Cheatin’, eh?” and can’t access the directory. This is a frustrating issue. It happens basically anytime I try to access the directory. Also, can you send me a lot more contacts in an accessible format? This is the value of this system, correct? I was sent “some of the people who have shown interest.” Can you please send me ALL of the people who have shown interest? Why are you teasing me with only “some”? Thanks.
Can you please address my questions from 9/24? Thank you.
Hi Michelle,
Thank you for addressing this. So far I have been able to access the directory without issue. Please also add access for the following person:
Abigail Pokorski
abigail@arpatea.com
Thank you so much!
Brian Daniels
Hi Michelle,
Thank you for adding Abigail. However, she is not longer with us beginning today.
Also, I will be emailing you the required quarterly sales report. We will be working the directory. However, none of the companies that were sent to us have indicated that they would even like to receive a sample of our product. None except C & T Food Market has said no, but neither have any said yes. Do you have more “warm” leads to send or should we just focus on calling names on the directory? Is more than one email blast sent out? How often? Thank you.
Hi,
Thank you. I am in the process of hiring an employee, so once that is done calls and follow-ups will be regular.
Secondly, I cannot access the directory. Please reset it. Is there something more that can be done? This is a regular problem.
Thanks again!
Brian Daniels
Hi,
So I can only access the Directory sometimes by clicking the link that was sent to me. Most often, however, it doesn’t work. When it does work, I am taken directly to the directory and am not requested to enter a username or password. Most of the time, though, I am taken to a login page. When I enter my credentials I am either redirected your main page, or I receive the message “Cheatin’, eh?” It feels like it is on a timer because when I can access it, I can access it on a variety of devices and browers. I was only sent 9 leads initially. My new employee is going to be primarily calling businesses to promote our product. She will likely be calling 25+ business per day. Your database seems promising, but I can’t benefit from it if I cannot login. Please fix my access in a permanent way.
Am I current with my requirements for your company? Is there anything outstanding on my part? Thank you.
Hi,
I have a new, full-time employee. Her name is Savana Griggs. Her email is savana@arpatea.com. Can you create a separate user profile for her? — Thank you for speaking with me the other day. Refreshing the webpage after logging in was the key.
Secondly, I spoke with Patel Vipul with Brooklyn Born Mini Mart. He requested a sample. When I spoke with him recently he said the sample hasn’t sold yet, and when it sells he will place an order. I find this to be very unusual. Is this a case where your team can reach out? Our minimum wholesale orders are for a dozen boxes of tea at $60 or a dozen pouches at $96. The initial commitment for a retailer is very small.
Thirdly, I have two questions about what to include when we submit our sales reports:
1. Should each report only include businesses we contacted during the period, or should it be cumulative including all businesses we ever contacted?
2. Should we only include businesses that indicated that they want a sample or all businesses contacted?
And, lastly, we will submit the October sales report shortly.
Thank you,
Brian
Hello,
I just uploaded our 10/22 sales report template. It is a culmination of Sept & Oct contacts. Is it okay to send you an ever-growing file?
I have a suggestion for the Project Discussion reponses: It would be helpful if the most recent messages appeared at the top of the discussion so I don’t have to scroll to the bottom of the page to see new messages. Can you talk to your IT about that?
RE: Patel Vipul, you seem to be well acquainted with him. Is that correct? We offer many incentives to our retail partners which we outline in our brochure including 50% margin, low minimum orders, $20 flat shipping, free shipping on orders over $300, an 11″ x 17″ window poster, shelf talkers, tri-fold brochures, end-caps (custom order for orders over $500), promotion of his business on our website and social media, digital ads, and promotion of his business at our in-person events. So, yes, he has been made aware of our incentives.
We have sent out several samples. We will continue to work the database.
Sincerely,
Brian Daniels
Hi,
Multiple retailers we have reached out to have said they are interested in our tea, but that they require that we are associated with a distribtor. I thought the database was a list of Natural Grocers members who are looking for direct relationships. Can you provide insight?
Thanks,
Brian
Hi,
Of the retailers you delivered from the blast, only Fiddleheads seems to be genuinely interested. Notes regarding our interaction with all through 10/31 have been submitted. It’s businesses from the membership directory that are desiring that we have a connection with a distributor for them to begin working with us. We’ve probably spoken to 10 of around 100 who have specifically said they require us to be affiliated with a distributor before they will consider carrying our product.
Thanks for your continued communication.
Sincerely,
Brian Daniels
Hello,
I will get you those names shortly. The directory appears to not be working. I would set a screenshot, but you folks have that disabled. When we log in the database appears fully intact. Then as the screen finishes loading, the table reduces with no data. I will take a photograph and email that to you.
Thank you,
Brian
Hello,
On the 11/21 post I referenced several retailers who require that we are affiliated with a distributor in order to consider our products. I reached out to the companies and have been provided the following information:
14 Carrot – United, KeHe
Ashland Food Cooperative – Rogue Natural Foods
Abundance Coop – They said they will email me a list of their current distributors.
Acme Fresh Market – UniFi, KeHe, Sherwood Foods, Lipari Foods
PS. The directory is still not working. When I log in, the information loads temporary. The site continues to load. When it finishes loading the spreadsheet information disappears. I can still see the spreadsheet, but there is no data. Please see that the database is accessible to us as this has been our primary means of reaching new businesses since contracting with your company.
Hi,
We’re really striking out here. We have contacted 100+ retailers now. Only about 15 have accepted samples. We still haven’t had any orders yet. Many emails/phone calls. I thought these were partner retailers who were ready to receive product. How do we even do a test market when no one will carry our product? We contracted with you for test market placement to eventually solicit distributors. None of your “contacts” are legitimate. Please advise. How will you help? You should have been upfront that you were just selling access to a list.
Sincerely,
Brian Daniels
724-506-3319
Hi,
I’ve attached our 12/2022 report. Sorry for the delay. January’s report will be posted more promptly. We have been members of RangeMe since June 2022. We had discovered that many large distributors like UNFI, KeHe, and Giant Eagle (Pittsburgh-based grocery chain) only use RangeMe.
We are being much more selective about the companies we contact that are listed in your database.
Sincerely,
Brian Daniels