What is the best way to approach the big companys to buy our product?

[adamnichols45]

Im not quite sure how to go about contacting the big nationwide companys who stock products like ours!

What kinds of questions would they ask?

Just thinking...

[Rugles]

You are talking about getting your product into big chain stores?

Its impossibly difficult unless you have a previous relationship with the buyers.

Ever consider displaying your product at a trade show where you know the retailers are attending? Its an expensive gamble, but it does work. I attend trade show several times a year, often I will see a brand new product and 6 months later I see it on the shelves at a large retailer.

[HRoth]

You get a sales representative. This issue has just come up on a list where people make widgets and want to move from selling retail online to wholesaling to b&m stores. The sales representative contracts to market your product to the buyers for stores and gets a cut of the sales from you. They usually represent a number of manufacturers.

[ambellina]

I think that the trade show idea is a good one.

As for my own ideas, I feel like the best way to attract "big companies" is to be a leader in your industry - great product/service, great customer interaction, great reputation. Ideally, they will eventually come to you. Of course, this is not guaranteed, but I like to think in Pollyanna-ish ways.

When you do contact these big shots, though, be professional and CONCISE. Don't send unsolicited letters/e-mails that are longer than you would take the time to read. If you make phone calls, keep the pitch short and sweet. If people feel like you're taking up too much of their time (even with extremely useful information), that's just not a good thing.