No Liv Dolls for Speciality – Big Box Only

Posted by jim on October 26, 2009 under Consumer Experience, eCommerce | Be the First to Comment

There is nothing worse in my business than a manufacturer refusing to sell to me. I remember last year – begging – yes actually begging – Step2 to sell to us. Mind you, I am not talking about extending us credit. These are prepaid orders. Step2 informed me that they were not adding anymore “e-tailers” so they wouldn’t let me buy….

Well, after I explained to them that we “e-tailers” HATE the term “e-tailer”, I finally got them to make an exception and sell me product. Can you believe it?

Once again, we are in the same situation, besides this time there is no one available to beg. We have been purchasing Bakugan (a Spin Masters product) from a distributor in NYC for 1-2 years now. This year Spin Masters has come out with a pretty sweet new product called Liv Dolls.  So, I contacted our supplier, told him to get me some product when he places his next order from the manufacturer.  And, nope, they won’t sell it to him.

That doesn’t stop me.  I call the manufacturer and, nope, they won’t sell to me either.  Only available in “mass” this year.  That’s ‘toy’ for ‘we don’t need your little insignificant store’.  They tell me I can buy them from Wal Mart.

In any event, be careful this Christmas.  If Big Box stores continue to dominate the toy market….  If they kill the category – it is only a matter of time before they select for you what toys you can buy.  If the independents like us go away, there will be no more balance.  Just check out this article in Time.