Opening a dollar store can seem like an overwhelming challenge.  There are many critical tasks that must be completed, and they must be done in the right order.  Failing to take the right steps in the right order can spell trouble when your grand opening date draws near.  Many turn to a dollar store expert as a means of reducing the risk of making mistakes or missing critical tasks.  Yet all experts are not equal in what they provide for the fees they charge.  It is important that you carefully weigh the qualifications, the deliverables being offered and the costs before making your final decision.  In this article I provide 4 tips to help you with the decision making process.

Tip #1) It is extremely important to make sure your dollar store expert really knows the dollar store industry.  There’s nothing to replace the hands-on experience of actually opening a store and then growing it into a successful business.  Yet many experts gained their expertise in other fields, or simply by having clients pay them to open their stores while gaining the experience.

Tip #2) Make sure you know exactly what you will receive for your money.  Be very specific when it comes to what you will be receiving for the hard earned money you spend.  Don’t accept a general list of things that come to you.  Be detailed and ask lots of questions.  For example, are any of the products being delivered in the package name brands that customers will recognize?  Know exactly which items are name brand, the products for every department, and the quantities of each product to be provided.

Tip #3) Don’t accept smoke and mirrors when it comes to the exact fee you will be paying for the service.  It may be extremely hard to decipher what money goes to what when you are presented with a flat fee.  Make sure to request they break out exactly what the money will be used for.  How much is for merchandise?  How much is for store fixtures and displays?  How much is for equipment?  How much are the fees paid to your expert?  Be clear about every penny.

Tip #4) If they are setting up your new store; be sure they provide specific details about what will make your store stand out from the crowd.  In today’s tough economy you must do everything possible to attract the attention of your targeted shoppers.  You must provide the answer to their specific needs and wants.  Be sure to require a specific description of not only the tasks that will be completed.  Also understand exactly what they do that’s above and beyond their competition when it comes to making your store stand above the crowd.

To your dollar store success!

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