March 8 & 21, 2018 - more info from the grapevine. I get lots of calls from old-timers and leaders, "this is what I've heard, what have you heard?" Unfortunately, nothing directly from Fuller itself. Now that David Sabin is gone, Fuller Industries (the Kansas factory) told them that they are willing to manufacture the products again. This was to be the ONLY way that Fuller USA had any future as far as I'm concerned. China is NOT what people buy Fuller Brush for. But I also have multiple confirmations now that dealers will have to register ($$$???) and buy case lots. I'm not doing inventory again. My office is just now starting to look presentable.
I did email Larry Gray with many specific questions. I got a reply with my questions ignored, other than a vague "picking and packing individual products costs too much", and that "retail prices will be higher". He does seem to be an officer in this new company, making decisions "as good as" the decisions that put Fuller out of business the first time.
Higher prices? Indeed. One person who called me lives in NJ near Galaxy, and got through the intermediaries to the guy in charge to ask questions, and they seem to have not even heard of Fuller before buying it. He had no conception of the distributor system, or even what the regular prices were, or why they should ship to our customers. He (the former Fuller distributor) said he saw new Fuller products on Amazon, and Galaxy said, that is us, and the distributor contract will have a stipulation that they will not undercut any company prices, or they will lose purchasing rights. [I thought price fixing was illegal?] Checking Amazon, our $9.99 Laundry Stain Spray is $21.99. The Carpet Sweepers are now $59.99. Other products have doubled in price. So... I assume the case lot price will be half-price or so, meaning we will be paying what last year was the full retail price. I can't picture this business plan keeping them in business for much more than a year. Good bye Fuller Brush. Mismanaged again before they even get started.
(Jeff's Comments) I have a couple problems with this. First of all, I noticed what I perceived to be a lessening of quality in some Fuller products over the past 5 years. These were mainly cleaning solutions, but products that once did a great job now seemed to be no better than what I could buy in a store. Substantially increasing the price is definitely a no-go for me. Also, I held very little inventory. Being told I have to buy in case lots and sell at a specified price will not work. That's not even considering having to pay up front for the "privilege" of selling Fuller products. (End Jeff's comments)
June 4, 2018 UPDATE
That April sales hotline told us to email them for a "questionnaire" to see if we deserved an application to sell. I got it back immediately, and it was a simple page asking how much we planned to sell every month, and our method of operation, and if we would honor their map system. I told them I would not honor any territory on the map, I sold nationwide. I also told them I had no idea how much I would be selling because of all the various rumors and no facts from them. What is the product line? We've heard it will be much smaller. Really only case lots? What will the retail and wholesale prices be? Will you at least direct-ship case lots to our customers? And if we do get started, will you really blackball us and refuse to sell to us if we sell below your retail prices? My former top retailer said his sales dropped dramatically after the new company started internet ads taking his business away. So they also lost him and his $30,000/month.
That April sales hotline told us to email them for a "questionnaire" to see if we deserved an application to sell. I got it back immediately, and it was a simple page asking how much we planned to sell every month, and our method of operation, and if we would honor their map system. I told them I would not honor any territory on the map, I sold nationwide. I also told them I had no idea how much I would be selling because of all the various rumors and no facts from them. What is the product line? We've heard it will be much smaller. Really only case lots? What will the retail and wholesale prices be? Will you at least direct-ship case lots to our customers? And if we do get started, will you really blackball us and refuse to sell to us if we sell below your retail prices? My former top retailer said his sales dropped dramatically after the new company started internet ads taking his business away. So they also lost him and his $30,000/month.
I sent that in a month ago
and have yet to hear any acknowledgment. I even emailed Larry Gray, my supposed
Fuller Brush buddy, to ask him, and still cannot receive the time of day from
him. I think he's ashamed to face me, after encouraging me all these years to
recruit and train more people, and then they took them all away without
compensation.
If I, as one of their Top
Ten distributors for a couple decades, cannot even get a reply from them, anyone
reading this might as well move on and forget about Fuller Brush and Stanley.
They seem to have no phone numbers in operation because I've been unable to
reach any department or person via phone. If they can't even acknowledge me
after 26 years, then I return the favor. They have lost all the respect that I ever had for them. I continue to
finish selling off my inventory. If you have inventory, I'll try to connect you
with customers.
As I've said before, RIP
Fuller Brush & Stanley, mismanaged more than ever.
Below are my comments:
I think the update above says it all. The new owners cannot be bothered with the past top performers. They must have some grand scheme of how they are going to raise prices, build a new sales force and return Fuller to prominence. Good luck with that.
I agree with the March comments that this business model won't last them a year. Whether or not they will be able to regroup will remain to be seen. I think it's very possible we're seeing the last of Fuller Brush. Sad, very sad.
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