New Inventory Approach, Need Feedback

[Deana@IslandEye]

The doctors I work with would like to try a new approach with our frame Inventory and are wondering if this method has ever been done before. We would not purchase the inventory that is displayed on the boards themselves, rather we would order each frame individually from the companies. The vendors would be responsible for the items that do not sell as it is basically thier inventory and not ours.

Has this approach ever been done before and are there any companies/vendors that would do this?

[Jubilee]

So are you talking about doing a consignment type inventory? Where the manufacturer places frames on the board, and you order the job "complete" with the frame being supplied or sent to the lab?

If you are thinking this route, there are a few pros (such as low initial investment cost) and cons (such as higher S&H fees)

There is some concerns in regards to insurance (in case of theft or natural disaster) and few companies do consignment anymore. (Though Altair-VSP does in most lines)

[optical24/7]

It's called consignment, and yes, there are companies that do it, but they are not designer names (if that's what you want). You'll end up paying more for them when they sell than you can find yourself for the same type of style/quality. I don't feel it's a good "investment".

[cocoisland58]

If you start from scratch on consignment it might work and you will be a different breed of store. If you are switching over it may not work to your advantage. If you already have frames that you have purchased you want to sell those before any consignment frames.