• Kevin Natapow

 

That is a tough one- as a former retailer I know that we want to get our merchandise in as quickly as possible and be able to make those critical sales not only for our own store, but for our great wholesale partners and ultimately the artisans. Something that may be helpful is a direct email/update to your retail partners with a photo essay type format so they could really see what things looked like before in terms of production, capacity, etc. juxtaposed to the reality now. It may help them understand the severity of what is happening there. Also, maybe getting pre-orders in early (too late now) so that the artisans, and all along the supply chain would have as advance notice as possible. This is also something I am working on for the regular season as well with wholesalers and retailers.

 

  • (Ganesh)

 

This is a good idea. I try to communicate conditions on the phone with people, but an image, when available may be helpful.

 

  • (Ganesh)

 

Good advice. We do have an advance order system and it is really helpful to the producers but not every customer takes advantage of that so I think we will emphasize that more in the future.

    1. I’d like to say, as a retailer and your customer, I get and appreciate everything you and your team are doing to help the people in Nepal. If I ask about a status it’s because I don’t know and am trying to plan spending. Some sites will show an item as unavailable, I don’t know if you have that ability. Or a message when we log on.

 

  • Kevin Natapow

 

Just like any relationship, communication is key smile emoticon

 

  • (Ganesh Himal)

 

Thank you, I will definitely look at that on our website and show items as unavailable. That is great. I am hoping that people are reading our newsletter too so that they are staying informed on current situations there. Please let me know if there is a better way to help communicate! Please always ask about status too! We need to hear that!

    1. I agree! I myself tried to order sari placemats this week and got the phone call that they weren’t available – which I totally understand! But I had no idea. If they could show up as out of stock in the online store that would be helpful but even more helpful would be a quick print out or explanation that we could share with our customers. Our customers know and love the sari placemats, so they want to know about the artisans and how they are coping after the earthquake. In some cases it has prompted a great conversation about how to donate to help the specific artisans that we work with!

 

  • (Ganesh Himal)

 

Really good feedback- thank you! We need to inform everyone of the blockade that India has on Nepal borders as well. They are not allowing in any petrol, cooking gas, thread….etc. It is crippling Nepal.

 

  • (Ganesh Himal)

 

I am curious, if you saw an item as unavailable would you still back order it? Or just skip it all together. As much as the delay is a pain our producers… and us…rely heavily on backorders and knowing what you need.

  1. I would back order
  2. Kevin Natapow

Backorders are key but retailers also need to keep an eye on them this time of year as you don’t want them to go to far beyond a certain date if they are seasonal items or you placed an order for more (a bulk up) for the season but won’t need that many in January/February.

 

  • (Ganesh Himal)

 

Very true Kevin, I try to ask our customers especially this time of year if they want something back ordered or not.

    1. I would back order but it would be helpful to know right then what is out so I can make some thoughtful substitutions.

 

  • (Ganesh Himal)

 

Great feedback, thanks!

  1.  I feel like GH is one of my best vendors when it comes to back orders. You guys are very prompt and thoughtful
  2. Kevin Natapow

I second that!

    1. Backorders can be hard to keep track of. If it is something I’m counting on I likely would want to be in line for it. If it’s seasonal I probably wouldn’t.
    2. Same here! I always appreciate getting GH back order calls and suggestions on what else might work!

 

  • (Ganesh Himal)

 

Thanks! Good to hear that positive feedback

 

  • Kevin Natapow

 

I have a good system for keeping track of backorder– email me!