Waiting for responses from suppliers

[Wolfie888]

Hi all,
I've recently been sourcing supplies for my new e-store and thought I was getting somewhere. I approached the relevant manufacturers and distribution companies, asking to sell their stock. They agreed and sent me trade pricelists and advised that my order could be sent via email, and they would then email me back an invoice. 3 days after sending my orders, I've not even received an acknowledgment from 4 companies, let alone an invoice. I'm new to business and I'd love some advice on whether I have realistic expectations - am I naive to expect a response within a day or 2, or am I right to have hoped for a reply by now? Are there any general working practices in relation to this.

Background info: I'm selling design-led homewares/gifts. The companies in question are not mainstream brands, yet far from unheard of.

Any comments would be gratefully received.

 

[Mister B]

As a rule of thumb, I would have expected them to get back to you within 24 hours unless your orders were pitifully small, in which case they may have put you right to the back of the queue. The other consideration is that your mail may have got caight up in a spam filter.

Best thing for you to do is give them a polite call asking them if they've received the order. I'm sure that they will be fine.

Good luck with your new venture.

Mister B

 

[Joanne_UK]

I usually get a reply the same day or within one day (we sell jewellery and gifts) but I know a lot of my suppliers are faster when I fax them the orders.

Sometimes they take longer if some of the items are out of stock but also if it is a new supplier they may have an "exclusivity" policy and they are checking to make sure you are not in "conflict" with other retailers.

You should contact them