Editor’s note: Since this posted, Greg has agreed to honor my request that the credit apply to a current, open invoice. I appreciate his willingness to make this a positive experience for his retailers, and hope that other companies will contact me first to avoid awkward scenarios in the future.
To retailers who received information about a Boatman Geller promotion that includes a 20% off consumer coupon to be exchanged for an equivalent account credit after the fact, no, I did not authorize use of The 3/50 Project name in any way, shape, or form. And yes, the vendor has been notified this is off limits-—again.
The 3/50 Project welcomes vendors to create promotions that support our cause, as long as they don’t require retailers to pay them money to reap the benefits. In this case, BG is issuing 20% off coupons to consumers as a manufacturer’s promotion. Rather than subtract the discount from the store invoice, however, the vendor is issuing it as an account credit to be used on a future order.
From the Dealer Update sent to stores, retailers:
“will be reimbursed in full via an account credit by Boatman Geller upon proper submission.”
In an email to me yesterday, Greg Geller confirmed that the company is:
…crediting them [the wholesale discount amount] towards a future purpose.
The vendor makes the sale, but the retailer takes the 20% hit at the register, forced to place yet another order to recoup the loss.
Requiring retailers to hand a vendor more money to recover a financial loss created by the vendor is out of bounds. This isn’t a promotion stores opted into; it’s one being run by the vendor, from their website. Stores “inherited” this thing. It is not now, nor has ever been, an activity I would have approved in association with use of our name.
So…to be über clear: The 3/50 Project was not created to make money off the backs of independent retailers. Period.
Vendors, if you have an idea and you’d like to mention The 3/50 Project in conjunction with it, touch base with me first. Drop me a line using the contact page on the350project.net. Don’t cut corners, then expect it’s going to fly later on. Registered trademarks and copyrights don’t work that way.
Click here to tell me what you think....
Thank you for being so understanding of our intentions and helping us clearly support the 3/50 Project and all its efforts. With your help, the 20% discount we’re offering Boatman Geller customers (at brick and mortar locations only) is now directly discounted from the wholesale invoice associated with that particular order. It’s a great deal for our storefront retailers and clearly supports the initiatives of the 3/50 project. Thank you again, and I hope other supporters will use our offer as an example moving forward, which can be found on our website.
Keep up the great work,
Greg Geller
President | Boatman Geller
Editor’s note: We are truly appreciative of Greg’s cooperation in bringing this promotion in line with what The 3/50 Project stands for.