Posted by:
JeffV
(---.dsl.ksc2mo.swbell.net)
Well this is an interesting problem, and probably doesn't have an "easy" solution. But I do see a couple potential courses of action. First let me offer my opinion that I too believe a business owner has a right to do business as they see fit, but they also cannot expect customers, whether retail or wholesale, to have to like it. And if they lose customers due to their business methods, then they will have to live with that as well.
I can speak to this with a little experience as a business owner myself. In our business we too sell at both the retail and wholesale market, however, we do not sell retail in direct competition to our wholesale customers. We sell our products at the retail level in the US and Canada only, and wholesale to the retailers in the Caribbean. And our wholesale customers do get discounted pricing. Therefore I do not feel we come in direct competition with our wholesale buyers, and they have known this in advance.
With regard to the retailers in this situation, it doesn't appear Rima's has chosen to be understanding of their wholesale customer's needs. If the facts presented in the article are true, then in spite of the frustrations and complaints, Rima's has chosen to ignore the wholesale customers, maybe with the intent to shut them down. I think there are two potential solutions.
1. Individually find alternate sources for your products, either on island or off island.
2. Band together and form an alliance, or association.
With this second scenario an officer could be appointed to accomplish two goals:
1. Represent the market vendors to Rima's and to the local governing authorities,
2. Find suitable manufacturers to produce products that can only be manufactured exclusively for association members. With the vendors pooled together, there should be larger quantity orders and they should be able to bargain lower price points. This might even work with Rima's. "You must sell to all Assoc. members at x% below your retail." I know this solution will take more time to develop, but probably provides a more permanant solution. So if they need an Assoc. head, I'm available
,
I'm curious what your thoughts about this are. I don't obviously reside on island so my information on the subject facts are somewhat limited, but it seems to me that if they banded together with Marigot vendors, as well as beach vendors, there would be a large enough buying block to get the price point where it needs to be. Perhaps eventually underselling Rima's. If Rima's looses their competitive edge, they'll be ready to listen. What are your thoughts?
JeffV