Last week’s Q&A with Cary’s of Oregon introduced you to their firm and its award-winning chocolate English toffee.

Let’s learn more about this company that caters to our need to fill gift baskets with outstanding snacks customers request and appreciate.

Q: What are three top reasons you’ve heard from gift basket designers on why they buy from you?

A: Designers consistently rave about the product’s box colors and sizes, its excellent value, and overall delicious product.

Q: What makes your company one that designers choose for snack products?

A: The three reasons mentioned in the question above answer this, plus we’re easy to work with!

Q: What’s the minimum order requirement, and can retailers purchase samples to try products before committing to buying more?

A: We like a minimum of $125, but with the economy as it is, we’ll waive this minimum. Email us at purchases@carysoforegon.com or call us at 888-822-9300 for details. Also, you are welcome to purchase samples.

Q: List 3-5 of the top products ordered by gift basket designers. What’s the reason they count on you for these products?

A: The top products ordered are:

• Dark Chocolate Espresso
• Milk Chocolate Chai
• Dark Chocolate Mango Tea Toffees

They’re great for coffee or tea-themed baskets and other designs, too.

Q: When a special occasion (Valentine’s Day, Christmas, for example) is approaching, what’s the optimum time to place an order to make sure stock items are available (two weeks before, one month)?

A: Depending on the quantity you want to order, 4-6 weeks prior to ship date is the optimum time to place your order.

What questions or comments do you have? I encourage you to share your feedback in the comments section below.

My thanks to Cary’s of Oregon for their participation in this Q&A, being a partner of this blog, and sponsor of the fifth edition of How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business.

Stay tuned next week for the next Wholesaler Wednesday segment featuring Bomba Insurance Agency.

Shirley George Frazier

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There’s one way to make customers’ mouths water every time they see your gift baskets, and that’s by including Cary’s of Oregon in them.

Well known for their award-winning, milk and dark chocolate English toffees, Cary’s of Oregon creates flavorful treats that inspires customers to request it frequently.

Just the sight of their beautifully-packaged boxes creates excitement for your clients and more sales for you.

Let’s get to know this dynamic firm and why their products are a must have in your gift baskets.

Q: What’s the most-common question that designers ask when ordering for the first time, and what is your response?

CARYS: Designers want to know what’s the most popular toffee flavor, which is Milk Chocolate Toasted Almond. They also ask about the toffee’s shelf life, and that’s six months, but don’t expect it to stay in your inventory that long!

Q: How do you ensure that retailers receive products that are still within the freshness dating on each package?

CARY’S: Because we’re a small company, we’re able to make the product to order so that every package is always fresh.

Q: Share with us information about the products that have won awards and each category.

CARY’S: Trail Toffee won a silver SOFI award (Specialty Outstanding Food Innovation) at the Fancy Food Show for outstanding snack product. Trail Toffee is made with a combination of toffee bits, toasted almonds, dried cranberries and raisins. It’s fantastic!

Q: Some of your products don’t melt in the summertime, which is fantastic news for gift basket designers who want to offer chocolate or something just as delicious during warm months. Tell us about them and why they’re popular in baskets.

CARY’S: We offer the Trail Toffee mentioned earlier and another product called Toffee Fingers. Toffee Fingers is a pure toffee without any chocolate coating. It’s available in 4 oz. & and 8 oz. boxes, perfect sizes for gift baskets.

(Designers: You can view Trail Toffee and Toffee Fingers by clicking here, and note that the prices shown are retail, not wholesale. Email purchases@carysoforegon.com or call them at 888-822-9300.)

Q: What’s the strangest item you’ve been asked to stock, either by a wholesaler or retailer, which you turned down because it was too “out there?”

CARY’S: We specialize in making English Toffee, so no such items have been requested!

What questions or comments do you have for Cary’s of Oregon? I encourage you to share your feedback in the comments section below.

Stay tuned next week for five more questions about placing early orders and more.

I’m pleased that Cary’s of Oregon supports our industry, is a partner of this blog, and is sponsoring the fifth edition of How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business.

Shirley George Frazier

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Last week you were introduced to or re-acquainted with Nashville Wraps and why they’re a top supplier in the gift basket industry.

In this final Q&A, let’s learn more about how this icon serves your business.

Q: What are three top reasons you’ve heard from gift basket designers on why they buy from you?

NW: 1. Great selection, 2. Wholesale pricing, 3. Fast shipping

Q: What’s the minimum order requirement, and can retailers purchase samples to try some supplies before committing to buying more?

NW: There is charge $10 for samples mailed 1st class to a U.S. address. There are additional charges if it is a premium sample and for expedited and/or international requests.

Q: List 3-5 of the top products ordered by gift basket designers. What’s the reason they count on you for these items?

NW: 1. Crinkle Cut Shred

2. Basket Boxes

3. Cello Basket Bags

4. Pull Bows

5. Shrink Wrap Bags

We always have a great selection so they can get most all their gift basket supplies at wholesale pricing from us. Plus, Nashville Wraps offers more value to the customer through our experienced staff and informative blogs and videos.

Q: When a special occasion (Valentine’s Day, Christmas, for example) is approaching, what’s the optimum time to place an order to make sure stock items are available (two weeks before, one month)?

NW: We recommend one month before to ensure availability, but we work hard to have adequate inventory of these items.

Q: What’s the usual turnaround time for shipping after an order is received?

NW: Our goal is to ship within 24 hours.

What questions or comments do you have? I encourage you to share your feedback in the comments section below.

My thanks to Nashville Wraps for their participation in this Q&A, being a partner of this blog, and sponsor of the fifth edition of How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business.

Next week’s Wholesaler Wednesday will feature Cary’s of Oregon. Please join us then.

Shirley George Frazier

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Nashville Wraps, a name synonymous with quality and dependable service, stands steadfast in the industry as a true partner to gift basket businesses worldwide.

Based in Hendersonville, Tennessee, this firm is the “go to” group for cellophane, shrink wrap, shred, tote bags, and hundreds of other supplies we select on a daily basis for gift basket design.

It’s a real treat to have them here today to answer questions that let you know who they are (if you’re new to the industry) and confirm their dedication (if you’re familiar with their products and service).

Q: What makes your company one that designers choose for bags, bows, shrink wrap, and other supplies?

NW: We are one of the few packaging companies that has in-house designers that help create our exclusive designer collections. This makes the job for gift basket designers easier because they can get a coordinated look to which they simply add creative gift basket touches.

Our Green Way® eco-friendly packaging offers designers one of the largest selections of recycled, sustainable and/or natural products available.

Q: What’s the most-common question that designers ask when ordering for the first time, and what is your response?

NW: Many new designers want to know what type and how much filler to put in their gift baskets, basket boxes or containers. They also want to know if we recommend basket size cello bags or cello rolls.

Since it depends on the container, we recommend calling our helpful Customer Care Department at 1-800-547-9727.

Q: What’s new this year in your inventory for gift baskets, something you’ve added that wasn’t available in 2009?

NW: We’ve had several customers purchase our new 100% Cotton Hot Dots Totes as a reusable gift basket alternative. Click this link to see the Hot Dots Totes.

Q: What’s the strangest product you’ve been asked to stock, either by a wholesaler or retailer, which you turned down because it was too “out there?”

NW: We’ve been asked to carry some strange things over the years. We’re open to most ideas!

Q: What are some of the unique and helpful areas on your Web site that designers may not know exist?

NW: On our website in the right margin under Specialty Packaging Pages you can find a gift basket supplies link, and there’s more:

Gift Basket Supplies

Read “How To Tips” on our Blog

Watch our “How To” videos on YouTube

View Nashville Wraps Customer Images on Flickr

Designers: The photo link, which is last in this list, is one you must click. Fabulous ideas!

What questions or comments do you have for Nashville Wraps? I encourage you to share your feedback in the comments section below.

Stay tuned next week for five more questions about popular products, minimum ordering, and placing early orders.

I’m pleased that Nashville Wraps supports our industry, is a partner of this blog, and is sponsoring the fifth edition of How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business.

Shirley George Frazier

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Last week you became acquainted with BoxCo Industries, the gift basket industry’s well-known manufacturer of finely-crafted containers.

The Missouri-based firm shared insights by answering five questions, and this week completes the Q&A with five more tips about minimums, special orders, and when you’ll find new items on their site.

Q: What are three top reasons you’ve heard from gift basket designers on why they buy from you?

BOXCO:

• Selection
• Service
• Price

Q: What’s the minimum order requirement, and can retailers purchase samples to try products before committing to buying more?

BOXCO: $50 is the minimum order amount, and yes, they can purchase samples.

Q: When a special occasion (Valentine’s Day, Christmas, for example) is approaching, what’s the optimum time to place an order to make sure stock is available (two weeks before, one month)?

BOXCO: It depends on the holiday. For example, we recommend ordering 1-1/2 months before the Christmas holiday. Our popular designs go very fast and sometimes we don’t have time to produce more stock. We know this is frustrating for our customers, so we always remind them to order early. One month is about the average with all other seasonal holidays.

(Designers: Be sure to order BoxCo’s nested boxes early in every season to create stacked designs for huge profits.)

Q: Can designers request private label or custom box styles, and if so, what’s the recommended lead time?

BOXCO: Yes, the standard lead time is 8 weeks.

Q: Can we expect to see something new for the 2010 holiday season?

BOXCO: Absolutely! We have just finalized our line for 2010 and will be introducing the new line in June.

What questions or comments do you have? I encourage you to share your feedback in the comments section below.

My thanks to BoxCo Industries for their participation in this Q&A, being a partner of this blog, and sponsor of the fifth edition of How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business.

Next week’s Wholesaler Wednesday will feature Nashville Wraps. Please join us then.

Shirley George Frazier

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Gift basket designers have long associated BoxCo Industries with quality, innovation, and class.

Their uniquely-styled, themed containers guarantee second looks and wide smiles from customers who enjoy receiving gift arrangements in these alternative boxes.

Let’s learn more about this great wholesaler and why they are an industry standard.

Q: What makes your company one that designers choose for unique and alternative packaging?

BOXCO: All of our designs are created in-house and are based upon the trends in the fashion and packaging industry. We try to make sure we offer looks that are unique to the packaging industry.

Q: What’s the most-common question that designers ask when ordering for the first time, and what is your response?

BOXCO: “What is your minimum order?” Our minimum is $50. You can order less than that, but there is a $5.00 service fee.

Q: List five of the top themes ordered by gift basket designers.

BOXCO: Birthday, Baby, Get Well, Thank You, and Real Estate.

(Designers: See BoxCo’s top themes and more on this page.)

Q: What’s the reason retailers count on you for the top-selling themes?

BOXCO: Designers know that we offer them a large selection of each of these product categories.

Q: What’s the strangest theme you’ve been asked to design, which you turned down because it was too “out there?”

BOXCO: One customer asked us to create a “scratch and sniff” floral box.

What questions or comments do you have for BoxCo? I encourage you to share your feedback in the comments section below.

Stay tuned next week for five more questions about the most-popular products, what designers frequently ask, and more.

I’m pleased that BoxCo Industries supports our industry, is a partner of this blog, and is sponsoring the fifth edition of How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business.

Shirley George Frazier

No related posts.

Last week, ArtisticGiftBaskets.com shared insights with you about their service. This week features more details about products, minimums, and ordering strategies to familiarize yourself with this dynamic industry supplier.

Q:What makes your company one that designers choose for snacks and supplies?

AGB: Our service, selection, and pricing.

Q: What’s the most-common question designers ask when ordering for the first time, and what is your response?

AGB: The question we hear most is, “What is the minimum order amount?” We have no minimum order amount.

Q: List 3-5 of the top products ordered by gift basket designers. What’s the reason they count on you for these products?

AGB: The top products are baskets, cellophane, and shred. Designers appreciate the wide selection of these products on our site. We also provide fast shipping, and as stated earlier, they appreciate no minimums.

(Designers: Click here to visit ArtisticGiftBaskets.com, where you’ll find an easy-to-navigate structure that quickly identifies the gift basket products you need.)

Q: What’s the strangest item you’ve been asked to stock, either by a wholesaler or retailer, which you turned down because it was too “out there?”

AGB: Honestly, there’s been no such request yet.

Q: When a special occasion (Valentine’s Day, Christmas, for example) is approaching, what’s the optimum time to place an order to make sure stock items are available (two weeks before, one month)?

AGB: The best time to order is at least 2 months earlier. That way we can accommodate designers as much as possible.

What questions or comments do you have? I encourage you to share your feedback in the comments section below.

My thanks to ArtisticGiftBaskets.com for their participation in this Q&A, being a partner of this blog, and sponsor of the fifth edition of How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business.

Next week’s Wholesaler Wednesday will feature BoxCo Industries. Please join us then to learn about this industry icon.

Shirley George Frazier

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Wisconsin-based ArtisticGiftBaskets.com may be relatively new to our industry, but gift basket retailers swear by their quality and service, and their minimum order amount can’t be beat.

This Q&A familiarizes you with who they are and why their industry star continues to rise.

Q: Why did you decide to serve the gift basket industry? What was the reason for your decision?

AGB: We felt there was a lack of distributors targeting home-based businesses and independent retailers that prefer ordering online.

There are many types of clients with many types of needs. If a company could serve everyone, there would only be one company in the industry.

What we offer may not fit every designer’s needs, but we excel at providing great items gift basket retailers want most while continuing to grow and innovate in the areas that are beneficial for them and us.

(Designers: More about ArtisticGiftBaskets.com’s background is found on their About Us page.)

Q: What are three top reasons you’ve heard from gift basket designers on why they buy from you?

AGB: The reasons we continually hear are about our service, selection, and pricing.

Q: You’re categorized as a distributor. What’s the advantage of coming to you for products and supplies rather than buying directly from a manufacturer?

AGB: Designers find the advantage to be our low minimum quantity requirements and large product selection. This benefits gift basket retailers in two ways: 1) lower upfront costs, and 2) lower freight charges when aggregating orders.

Q: What’s the minimum order requirement, and can retailers purchase samples to try products before committing to buying more?

AGB: Designers are pleased to learn that there are no minimums! They can purchase one of any product.

(Designers: Click this link to visit the ArtisticGiftBaskets.com Web site which features products and supplies in many categories.)

Q: How do you ensure that retailers receive products that are still within the freshness dating on each package?

AGB: This is a difficult problem that requires much balancing. Natural and organic foods tend to have short shelf lives, and as more designers’ clients favor these products, the selling window shortens. It’s also important for retailers to understand the difference between expiration and “best by” dates.

Here’s how we handle items that are removed from our inventory:

In April, one retailer was upset because we would not refund monies for products purchased in December. The reason for the refund was that the retailer was not able to sell the items for reasons that had nothing to do with the merchandise.

Since we don’t sell on consignment and have very clear terms and conditions, it was unfortunate that we could not satisfy this retailer.

——————–

What questions or comments do you have for ArtisticGiftBaskets.com? I encourage you to share your feedback in the comments section below.

Stay tuned next week for five more questions about the most-popular products, what designers frequently ask, and more.

I’m pleased that ArtisticGiftBaskets.com supports our industry, is a partner of this blog, and is sponsoring the fifth edition of How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business.

Shirley George Frazier

No related posts.