Tag: Get Products Into Costco

How can I gain access to Costco’s vendor portal?

By vendorco

Costco’s vendor portal, also known as Costco’s Extranet, is a web based system that provides Costco vendors with access to a plethora of important information. The system is a free and secure accounting tool that allows vendors to track and maintain records of purchases and payments.

And it doesn’t stop there. The vendor portal keeps updated records of important forms and memos as they are released by Costco, as well as additional vendor maintenance and vendor services tools.

However, the extranet is only available to Costco vendors with a valid vendor number. Potential vendors do not have access to Costco’s vendor portal until they receive a vendor number.

If you need help getting your program accepted with Costco, contact us today to see how VendorCo can help at [email protected] or (949)326-8909

 

Costco In-Store Returns

By vendorco

Costco is well known for their hassle free return policy. Members are able to return items at any time if they are dissatisfied with the quality of the product (with the exception of some electronics items, see below for Costco’s full return policy). Costco’s return policy may be intimidating for some vendors; however, most Costco returns are resalable and are returned with the first couple of weeks.

Costco maintains an excellent balance between satisfying the member, while preventing vendors from being buried with returns. They do this by only purchasing high quality items that that will satisfy their members. If a company does have a high return rate of non-saleable items, they are at a high risk of being pushed off the sales floor by Costco buyers. If your product is high quality, long lasting, and lives up to its promise, then Costco’s satisfaction guarantee return policy should not be a huge concern.

Our vendors benefit from VendorCo’s return assistance. We help our vendors anticipate the likely return rate, as well as provide customer service assistance. To take advantage of all that VendorCo has to offer, contact us at [email protected].

Costco’s return policy:
COSTCO’S RISK FREE 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE

MEMBERSHIP:
We will refund your membership fee in full at any time if you are dissatisfied.

MERCHANDISE:
We guarantee your satisfaction on every product we sell with a full refund. The following must be returned within 90 days of purchase for a refund: televisions, projectors, computers, cameras, camcorders, touchscreen tablets, MP3 players and cellular phones.

Costco In-Store “Deal Breakers”

By vendorco

Countless manufacturers and service providers have attempted to sell their products to Costco in-store. More often than not, these hopeful vendors are turned away. Due to Costco’s limited sku count and strict requirements, it can be very difficult for potential sellers to stand out and rise above the competition. So before you proceed with presenting to Costco or even before you partner with a sales representative, you should be aware of a couple non-negotiable requirements, or “deal breakers” for a vendor relationship.

First, Costco will not be the majority of any vendors business. In other words, you must have established distribution and sales before proceeding with Costco. Costco is not the place to introduce your product into the market, and you will not be considered if you do not have established distribution. And secondly, you must be prepared to serve the Costco member by providing your product at a lower cost and/or higher value.

If you believe that your company may be qualified for Costco in-store sales, contact VendorCo to get the most out of your program, at [email protected]

Costco.com Advertising Opportunities

By vendorco

One of Costco’s most popular advertising options is the Costco Connection magazine, which is mailed to over 8 million Executive and Business Member homes, and is also available online for free download. While the Costco Connection is available for in-store items, there is an exclusive Costco.com insert which displays a limited number of items that are exclusive to Costco.com.

Additional Costco.com advertising opportunities include the Costco.com mailer, multi-vendor mailer, e-mail campaigns, new product category featured page, home page placement, themed landing pages, and display advertisements. All of these advertising options are targeted to reach Costco’s best members, and the reasonable prices may surprise you! More details, including demographic data and pricing, are available to our clients and Costco.com vendors.

The above mentioned paid advertising options are not the only way for Costco vendors to excel on Costco.com. Additional sales opportunities are also available, and you can read all about them on our next blog.

Costco National

By vendorco

Costco national sales tend to be the most lucrative. If your product is accepted for a national sales program, it is distributed to warehouses all across the United States. Your product may not be in every warehouse, but it will be distributed throughout all Costco regions.

National sales are intended for established manufacturers that have existing distribution and a nationally recognized brand or product. It is not easy to receive a purchase order for national sales, which is why most vendors choose to partner with a manufacturer representative.

VendorCo has a history of successful product placement, and over 20 years of hands of experience. If you are looking for a qualified, successful representation company, VendorCo is the right choice.

Contact us at [email protected] to get started!

How to Get Your Product Into Costco

By vendorco

If you have stumbled upon our website looking for information about how to get your product into Costco, then you have come to the right place.

We encourage you to stop now, and ask yourself how much time you have spent thus far researching answers and information regarding how to get your product into Costco. Now imagine how much more time and effort you will put in before you are ready to actually move forward. Finally, think about eliminating all of that time, effort and energy spent researching a topic that is virtually inaccessible without firsthand experience.

You CAN eliminate the guesswork, by teaming up with VendorCo. With over 20 years of Costco specific expertise and experience, we have already done the research required to help you understand Costco. Whether you are interested in Manufacturer Representation, or you just want answers to your questions, VendorCo can help! We work with the Costco buyers on a daily basis, and we understand how to get your product into Costco.

You may be able to locate general information about how to get your product into Costco, but this public information can be wrought with errors, and is certainly not tailored to your company, product, and specific department. VendorCo is your premier source for Costco help – tailored specifically to your items!

Contact us today, at [email protected] for more information about our manufacturer representation, or view our services page to sign up for a consultation.

Costco Test

By vendorco

Although we have included a Costco Test in available avenues within Costco, a test program is not actually a sought after category. Instead, a test program is a precursor to Regional or National sales. If a buyer believes that your item may be a reasonable fit for regional or national sales, he/she may choose to test your item before placing it in all targeted warehouses.

During this time your product is placed on the warehouse floor and appears to be an in-line item to the Costco member. The buyers will expect your item to reach a specific sales goal within a reasonable time frame in order to be approved for national sales.

There is a lot to know before proceeding with a test program that goes far beyond this blog. Partnering with a manufacturer representative like VendorCo will help prepare you for the unexpected during your test program. Contact us for more information or to get started at [email protected].

Selling Products to Costco

By vendorco

Selling products to Costco requires patience, dedication, knowledge, and plenty of hard work in order to succeed. Specifically, selling products to Costco requires a nuanced understanding of the demographic, market opportunities, and unique processes and procedures. Failing to understand the inner workings of Costco may result in a loss of revenue, a failed program, and/or damaged relationships.

Don’t take the risk! Be sure that you are properly informed before attempting to sell products to Costco. Not sure where to begin? Fortunately, VendorCo can help. We are experts in Costco product placement and program development, and can help you prepare and plan for a successful relationship with Costco.

You can try to do it all on your own, guessing and struggling to figure out what Costco requires, or you can come to the professionals who understand Costco. We can perfect your product presentation and mold it into what is most desirable to the Costco buyer. The choice is yours, but taking the guesswork out of a stressful situation like working with Costco is well worth the time and effort for a better chance of success.

Selling products to Costco tarts with a phone call! Contact VendorCo today, at (949) 326-8909. We look forward to hearing from you.

Costco Advertising

By vendorco

Costco Advertising – what opportunities are available for Costco vendors? What methods does Costco utilize to advertise, both internally to its members and externally for potential members?

If you are interested in learning more about Costco Advertising, follow this month’s blog posts with the following titles:

  • Costco External Advertising
  • Costco Advertising: In-store Options
  • Costco Advertising: Costco.com Options
  • Costco Advertising: General Options
  • Costco Advertising: Buyer Picks
  • Costco Advertising: Road Show Options
  • Costco Advertising: More Information

If you are interested in selling your product or service Costco, and wish to account for advertising opportunities, call VendorCo today to find out what options you have that would be specific to your product and company. VendorCo is a third party manufacturer representative that has helped countless of Costco potentials become Costco vendors.

Contact VendorCo at (949) 326-8909 or via e-mail at [email protected]

Costco Product Testing

By vendorco

Before contacting Costco, you should be aware that Costco has its own unique processes and procedures for product testing. If you already sell to retail, you have likely been required to go through product testing before. Even if your product has passed testing inspections 1 or 1,000 times, you may need to go through this process again when you start working with Costco.

This is because Costco’s requirements for passing product testing may differ from other retailers, and may even be more stringent. For this and other reasons, Costco mandates the use of a few pre-approved testing facilities for all product testing.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your products will pass testing inspections; however, VendorCo can help explain Costco’s unique processes more clearly for our clients, so you are prepared for this requirement when it arises.

To be better prepared for Costco testing procedures, partner with VendorCo today. Contact us by phone at (949) 326-8909, or via e-mail at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!

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