Feedback Sought!

[DGTG Wholesale]

We have been pondering for a long time as to improve, many of our customers want us to have our stock file on the site, but to be honest we are loathe to do that as we have found that some of our "rivals" who don't hold stock at all have tried to use our own stock holding as if it was their own, so we are thinking of putting together the best 300 selling lines that we always hold in stock and putting that as a seperate section to give an idea to our customers of what sells and what we actually hold all the time. It is of course just a fraction of what we have, we were going to do the top 1000 selling lines but it would be just too big to manage. We would appreciate your feedback and your thoughts.

[gordym75]

Couldn't you have the stock file in a member's only area of the site and not advertise to anyone other than your customers?

Or is it a possibility that some of your rivals have signed up with you?

[DGTG Wholesale]

Truthfully the problem is that we did have our stock file advertised at one point, then it was used to claim a certain company held stock of the brands we carry, we have had images, descriptions, titles, stolen by the same people so we basically took it off, and yes they have signed up and got access in the past to our site. We caught them out but I am sure the same people have signed up again. So i don't want them to use our stock file again to claim stock they don't have, and never will.

[seamus]

what you could do is ask for proof that members looking for csv files actually run a business, give them a pdf file to download and fil out with their business details on there, gives you a chance to vet potentials before giving them access to csv files and images.

I know of another supplier (different type of stock) that does just that, basically make you jump through hoops before giving you access,
genuine businesses would have no trouble giving you the requested details, as they would have the info to hand, makes it very difficult for another middle man to get through

[DGTG Wholesale]

What we are actually doing at the moment, is trying to call each new customer, however you would be stunned by the amount of fake details people actually sign up with, it really is quite shocking. The other thing that is quite weird is that despite so many people complaining that they never hear anything from their supplier or have any contact from them, when you do get through to them sometimes they think your up to no good and give you a mouthful. The thing that is frustrating for us is we call each new customer to verify details if we don't know who they are but when you get them on the phone you are immediately asked are you anything to do with the crowd that has been the bain of our life, and has let so many people down.

All we are trying to do without giving away too much about what stock we have to our "rivals" is an idea of what is popular and what is in stock, and we can always increase it if neccessary as basically we have at least a thousand lines we can add to it. But it is only designed as an idea that we actually hold stock and not for our rivals benefit.

[Lian B]

Do you need to register to see your site? Im having a bit of trouble viewing it, the home page is fine, but when i click on something (anything) it says page cannot be displayed.

I do think it is helpful for your genuine members to be able to see your stock file. Maybe just put "if you need to see the file please phone and we will be happy to help"

[DGTG Wholesale]

Hi Lian

Yes you need to be registered to see prices. As said I think for us, although we would love to be able to show our stock file as it would clearly show we actually hold stock and are not middle men, we have been burnt too many times. We have seen the depths some people will go to to get ahead, and the damage it can do to retailers, brands etc and we really won't allow ourselves to be used in the way we have in the past. We are an honest bunch, and we like to sleep at night.

[seamus]

how about a video, a walk through of your warehouse, just to prove you are holding the stock, no detailed lists that the competition can take advantage of, but all the proof a customer would need,

[Gothic Dropshipping]

I think you can't avoid it, you really should supply such things to your customers and you can't stop a rival from sneakily joining up and copying ideas (trust me been there and had it done to me) just take it on the chin and strive to be the best you can and try not to concern yourself with people cloning your good business ideas as it takes more than the information to make a successful business.

[DGTG Wholesale]

The thing is these rivals I call them that as it is the only polite way to decribe them, have done everything they can not only to steal our business but to make themselves look like us in many different ways. When we took off our stockfile, and started to individually check customers out, then our business started to grow again, and they are on a downward slope. So while my long term aim is to have the stock file on the site available for download, I won't be doing it until I know these couple of people are now longer a threat to us or to our customers. Many of our customers went to them thinking they could get it cheaper and then were left in a situation were they had no stock to send to their customers, were out of pocket, and many still haven't got a refund, and legal cases are pending. I take on board what Seamus said though and it is something I have asked my programmer to see what he can do. Thank you all for your kind advice, we really appreciate it all and have taken on board all comments.

[EyeCandiLingerie]

May i just say with regards to DGTG I also thought as they so rightly said initially that they were part of another company ( two hour grilling someone got) and it was such a light relief to have a voice on the end of the phone who was not only professional but took everything that i threw at them ( trust me there was alot)

I know this is not really anything to do with the thread but i wanted to just tell everyone how helpful they really have been. One of the staff ( dont know if i am allowed to mention names.lol) has really gone out of their way to help me not only as a supplier but with other issues with my own retail site which shows to me that they are a great bunch. Not only that but deliveries have got to customers who have said they were packaged so well so hats off guys you are doing great.

Right back to work thanks for letting me have my say

Chrissy

[faze3]

DGTG - In the banner at the bottom of your site - I think "sexist" should be "sexiest" 

Alan.

[mags]

i must agree with sin they have been really helpful with me with everything i have asked and when i have been racking my brains struggleing what to do they have helped me not a lot of wholesalers would do that .so i say thankyou for all your help **** 

[conran]

I'd weigh up the benefits over the risks.

The benefit is that it improves the relationship with your customers, the risk is that your competitors get their hands on some info that really isn't that relevant or exactly secret.

Let them have it. It doesn't really do your business any harm does it? And if others are claiming to hold that stock and don't they're potentially doing their customers harm.

I'd consider outing them too. You might need to consider the legal aspect, but if you put that info up there, have a disclaimer with it stating that when you find a competitor stealing your info and using it as their own, you'll warn all your customers about that dubious company.