Ask The Gift Basket Expert » Products and Supplies

How Can I Fill Gift Basket Orders with a Limited Inventory?

Shirley George Frazier — Fri, 04 May 2012 15:34:19 +0000

Erika asks: “It seems that every time a person asks me to make a gift basket, I don’t have everything they want. How do I get around this problem without buying lots more products?”

As a designer, you want to accommodate every person who calls, but this isn’t possible without buying one of everything in the marketplace, and even then there will be a problem with size, color, or shape.

Think about large stores such as Macy’s and Harrods. They own a huge amount of inventory. However, people who shop at those stores walk out every day without purchasing. Even if this fact doesn’t solve your dilemma, it proves that you’re in good company.

The only thing you can do is continually review your inventory to match it with what customers consistently request. Stock the basic items such as cookies, crackers, cheese, popcorn, nuts, and beverages, and also keep gift items for spa and baby baskets in inventory. Wholesale providers are listed at Gift Basket Wholesale Supplies and Organic Wholesale Supplies.

Whatever your customers order most often is your target. You cannot stock everything, but you can satisfy most people who buy.

© 2008-2010 Shirley George Frazier. All rights reserved. Shirley George Frazier is recognized as the leading authority on the gift basket industry. She is author of How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business, The Gift Basket Design Book, and Marketing Strategies for the Home-Based Business. Visit GiftBasketBusiness.com for videos, CDs, reports, tips, online newsletter, and much more to learn, grow, and profit with gift baskets.

Can I Put “Not for Individual Sale” Products in My Gift Baskets?

Shirley George Frazier — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 08:03:22 +0000

Yvonne asks:

“I purchased four bags of candy that were combined in one package, and when I opened it, a label on each bag said that the product was not be to resold individually. Am I wrong to put each bag into four different gift baskets?“

Manufacturers often add such labeling to their products to persuade variety store retailers from buying certain products in bulk and then separating the product for individual sale.

If you visit flea markets or swap meets, you’ll also see “not for individual sale” labels on some products.

This is understandable. However, if you are not buying products packaged this way on a regular basis, then it’s okay to separate the products for individual inclusion in your gift baskets.

If these are edible products, make sure the expiration date is still valid, and also peel the “not for individual sale” labels from the items before including them in your gift baskets.

To buy products that are packaged and ready for resale (no extra package wrap to throw away), visit GiftBasketWholesaleSupplies.com and OrganicWholesaleSupplies.com for manufacturer and wholesale sources designers count on regularly.

Where to Find Baskets

Shirley George Frazier — Fri, 13 May 2011 08:35:14 +0000

Zena asks: “It’s becoming more difficult to find baskets to make gift baskets. How can I find basket sources when suppliers aren’t around?”

There are plenty of basket sources still available, especially if you’re located in the United States. Even if you’re not U.S. based, baskets are imported to your country from many places for many reasons, including gift basket making.

Before I qualified to buy baskets from wholesalers, I visited retail stores selling baskets, and these stores usually leave tags attached to baskets for sale telling you who made it or where the retailer purchased it.

Learning where florists buy their supplies is another way to locate suppliers.

The website, BasketsGiftBaskets.com, may also be helpful in leading you to basket sources.

Baskets are made mostly in Asian-based countries, and they’re not slowing down production. Keep looking in retail stores and through wholesale facilities that cater to florists and related professionals. You’ll find that baskets are plentiful in places right in your backyard.

Why Add Paper and Not Shred Inside the Basket?

Shirley George Frazier — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 14:28:30 +0000

Judy asks: “Why do I have to use newspaper at the bottom of my baskets? Why not use shred? Isn’t that easier and cleaner?”

This question is similar to one that was recently asked in the Start Your Own Gift Basket Business course that I teach online. You can read more about it and enroll through this link.

My experience with newspaper is that it stabilizes products more securely than shred, which tends to cause wobbling and also makes it easy for products to sink quickly into the basket.

It’s fine to add shred in the bottom of your basket. However, consider the cost of shred versus the cost of newspaper. The latter is less costly. Do your own calculations to determine how much you’ll spend.

It’s well known that the ink printed onto newspaper causes hands to become smudged and dirty. If you prefer not to use newspaper, the same paper in the plain, unprinted version is also an option and a popular choice for designers who add this cream, tan, or off-white color paper within their baskets.

You aren’t required to use newspaper, but the product is less costly than shred and provides more stability to the gifts and foods included within each design.

Where to Buy Products Before You’re Able to Buy from Wholesalers

Shirley George Frazier — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 19:31:16 +0000

Rain asks:

“What are the main places that I can get supplies if I’m not yet in business but want to buy quality products?”

In this situation, when you’re preparing to start your business and don’t yet have the forms and applications processed and approved by your state government or country officials, the main places to find supplies are at the locations where consumers normally shop.

This includes:

Supermarket
Specialty shops
Discount stores
Beverage depots
Strip and indoor malls

Buying products and supplies at these shopping facilities means that you’ll pay regular retail prices, except in places where merchandise is discounted or on sale, but this is not a negative situation.

You’ll be able to test your gift-basket making expertise, with help from gift basket videos and class tutorials, while waiting for governmental paperwork to arrive. That will give you time to practice the creative side of business while your administrative documents are being delivered.

Ask The Gift Basket Expert » Products and Supplies

How Can I Fill Gift Basket Orders with a Limited Inventory?

Related posts:

Can I Put “Not for Individual Sale” Products in My Gift Baskets?

Related posts:

Where to Find Baskets

Related posts:

Why Add Paper and Not Shred Inside the Basket?

Related posts:

Where to Buy Products Before You’re Able to Buy from Wholesalers

Related posts: