Christmas Ornament Small Orders
This page discusses small orders of Polish Christmas Ornaments, the problems and some solutions.
But let us first put the Christmas ornament distribution process from factory to consumer in order. This distribution process for ornaments is no different than that for any other product.
Factories produce large quantities and sell to major retailers and distributors. Distributors sell to small wholesalers and retailers. Small wholesalers sell to retailers. Retailers sell to consumers.
Factories only supply large orders. Distributors and small wholesalers supply small orders.
Some factories consider a pallet load of Christmas ornaments a small order. ( A pallet will contain perhaps 1,500 to 3,000) ornaments. When one considers that when factories produce a product to order, they often require a 50 piece (and more) minimum for each piece in the order. And minimum order requirements may exceed $5,000 per order, it is easier to put "small" in perspective.
Those wanting small orders generally want less than 50 of any one Christmas ornament. They want a mix of ornaments. And they want to choose the ornaments that make up the mix.
Things To Consider
Shipping
You should check the cost of shipping to your location. In some cases the cost of shipping even a pallet can be twice the cost of the product.
Shipping balls is particularly expensive. They contain a lot of volume as compared to a form of the same cost.
Some buyers, however, find that they can make enough profit on Polish Christmas ornaments that they ship pallet loads by Air Freight. That is the most expensive way to ship.
Others use UPS for 20 and 30 piece orders.
Here is a discussion, with a case study, of Shipping Costs.
Factory Interest
Factories spend most of their time concentrating on suppling large distributors and major retailers. They make large numbers of custom designed ornaments, with special packaging, for these companies.
Most sell at the major trade shows in Europe - usually in February - to buyers who come to look at the offers. Some sell at trade shows in the US.
Email inquiries from companies that use free emial services and do not show a web site address are generally ignored. See Look Professional
Priority is given to companies ordering more than factory minimums. Expect that that means more than $5,000 in Christmas Ornaments. Note - if you intend to order more than the factory minimum, so state in your email to the factory.
Small order requests or requests without a statement as to how much will be ordered are often ignored.
Requests stating the order depends on the price or what they have to offer are ignored.
If you want a small order, visit the factory to buy in person, or if you cannot, use a Christmas Ornament procurement service, Look Professional and be upfront about what you want.
Factories respond to Procurement Services. They know when a procurement service is involved, the client is serious - even if it is for a small order.
Product Choice
Small orders are supplied generally from only what the manufacturer has in stock. There are some exceptions in that some factories, by reason of their size, only supply small orders. But if they do not have a product in stock, you are likely to be subject to a minimum order or any piece.
Companies do not keep stocking lists.
When a factory produces for a large customer, in order to compensate for breakage and production errors, it makes more than is required for the order. That excess stock is either used for subsequent large orders of that piece or put into a showroom for sales to companies that visit the factory and hand pick what they want.
So product choice is limited to what is on the shelves or subject to order minimums from the smaller factories.
Assembling Your Order
Companies interested in small orders are generally working with a limited budget. So the total value of the order is their main concern. So if your budget, as compared to the total number of ornaments, is your main concern, read this.
Visit The Factory Showroom And Pick.
This is the standard process used by companies in Poland. And it is one of the reasons for the showrooms. They are factory stores that supply smaller shops and small distributors who fill a delivery van and go from shop to shop.
Here is info about a buying trip. After you read that, it might put the costs of a procurement service in perspective.
Order By Email
Submit a request for quotation indicating that you want the supplier to recommend a shipment consisting of a variety of ornaments with a total value not to exceed a given dollar amount. Remember that shipping will probably be equal to or greater than the amount of the order. Specify the type ie: forms, balls, houses, fruits, or a mix. Ask for the faster movers.
Note that the manufacturer wants repeat orders so you are not likely to get duds dumped on you. What is in stock is what major distributors have ordered. They know what sells. You are getting the benefit of their knowledge and market research.
When you submit the request, Look Professional or you will have wasted your time.
Use A Christmas Ornament Procurement Service
This is probably your best bet.
Services know who has what, how to deal with them and they will visit the factory for you to hand pick an order for you.
And because they hope that you will be a regular customer, you should expect that they will do a good job for you.
