Hey Scott, good luck! If I vote for yours will you vote for mine? ;)

I just got an email that the voting starts for this tomorrow with close to 4,000 entries. Since this involves the public voting, the top 10 winners of the popular vote go to the next round. here is the link to my submission, may I ask that you please vote!!! double u 3x getontheshelf.com/product/1052/The-Holey-Rail and also to comment, like, and share in any social media sources to help my odds a little? Thanks!!! Sorry, can’t do the direct link…

My entry is listed now, they will probably end up with close to 2000 entries for this, of course Jared has more entries than I have fingers and toes and if it’s a popularity contest where the game is to get friends to vote you up… I’m finished before the game even starts. But I have a product that is shelf ready, perhaps that will influence the decision makers.

Today is the last day to enter your video,
Good luck!!

A little disappointed so far. They’ve listed over 90 more products in the search and my submission still hasn’t shown up. No response to an inquiry either. Like so many other opportunities… oh well.

It does sound interesting, keep us posted.

Since I’ve been selling retail for several years, I have a feel for what it should retail at. If Wallmart prices it at what the market will bear and not try and offer some blow-out pricing, then considering profit margins that I’ve become to expect, I think we could work it out pretty easy. That is quite a ways down the road though. There is a lot of competition already and more to come. I still haven’t seen my submission posted so I’m guessing that they are going to be overwhelmed. I think Walmart might be a little generous in this program too. They could be trying to capitalize on trying to help the little guy and not act like the monopoly they’ve become. If so, this could be a rare opportunity.

Also, if it looks right for your product, give it a whirl. I am showing at 3 separate companies while I have the same product in an EN search. For me it is about finding the right fit. Keep us updated and I will do the same.

Thanks Scott, the other issue is their beat down price. My Ace’s take my price and run with it. I don’t think Walmart will.

I don’t have the capital either. Which is why I’ve been building the business and afraid to venture out beyond the internet sales. I’ve risked everything and there isn’t much left to hock that will allow me to even restock. Too many years building up to this point has left me broke.

Sooooo, Walmart is looking for the next big thing. Snuggies, for example, needed a ton of advertising to get it on the market and to be successful. My product is one of those “just let me think about it” and the “need” usually comes for my customers.

Walmart is looking for a staple food. Not a Snuggy. If it sells, with minimal returns, they will profit and "should be willing to help financially. If not getting the financial help from them, there are companies (people) that will lend money based on purchase orders.

Scott, I don’t have the capital for this one, even if they help me a bit. I am not ready for this size of distribution. Unless I am missing something?

Thanks for the info guys. Dealing with a big retailer is scarey .. I will stay in my lil pond at en.. I rather these guys go out and fight for me rather me making a a.. Of myself. Sorry I chicken out.. But best of luck to he brave souls :)

Also it looks like Walmart set it up to be a popularity contest, totally condusive to those that like to create friends to generate votes. There are gamers that will quickly catch on to this and corrupt it. Oh well, I’m still in.

I’m in. I’ve been in production and will have sold close to 5,000 units in the last year. Production is no where capable of meeting the demands that Walmart would require. But if it sells and Walmart wants to help… it could work out very well.

I just made the submission and see anothers idea that I’ve shown some support to is already posted on the site. Best of luck to any that want to join in.

Good to know, Philip. That seals the deal for me. I had already decided not enter before learning all of that because according to the fine print, they are looking for products for online sales (but may consider store sales). My product/service is for the store. I’m not sure this would be my best way to enter the market.

I respect your sincerity and input Philip Its better to be proactive than reactive we have a big meeting with our manufacture coming up and probably will inspect the orders before dispatch our selves. Belt and braces

David,

Exactly right (I didn’t want to scare everyone off completely!). Big retailers have something called a “routing guide” which is about the thickness of a phone book in some cases. It describes in minute detail how to box and ship things to them. And as David mentioned, if you stray at all from that guide, you can expect a huge discount off what they owe you (they call it a “chargeback”). Whether your order is a day late, or if a packing label is just an inch too far to the left, or if you use a cardboard box that is 1 mm to thin….whatever little profit you had is history. In a lot of cases, the chargebacks will eat past your profit and before you know it you’re in debt to your manufacturer. It is a bit ridiculous but the shipping and receiving department of a big retailer is usually a profit center for them…not an expense!

The article says they will assist inventors in getting through the production hoops so who knows

So, this is for submitting an existing product, as opposed to an idea/invention that needs to be brought to manufacturing, right?

Assuming so, here is another “get on the shelf” link, for the home improvement market. The President’s Council periodically holds “Buyer’s Days” where you pay a fee and recive some period (15 minutes? half-hour?) to present your product to buyers from leading home improvement retailers.

http://www.presidentscouncil.com/htm/pr_program...

I cannot vouch for this organization’s credentials, but a brief Google search didn’t turn up anything negative about them. And people from True Value HW and the like are on their Board.

They also have an online buyers-sellers linkage program at

http://www.presidentscouncil.com/htm/pr_program...

Description; "Buyingdays.com is an access point for buyers and sellers in the Home Improvement / Building Materials Industry that is available to registered buyers and suppliers. Suppliers are able to present new products to retailers around the world who are interested in finding potential new suppliers and products. "

Well written Philip i can relate to all you say . Some places can fine you if you do not deliver on time or a label is in the wrong place so you can be at a loss before your product hits the shelf. No joke All in the terms and conditions you have to sign. As we have just read for TV sales.

Yolanda, don’t worry about your video. As long as it conveys your idea well, I’m sure they will overlook video quality!

I’m personally a little reluctant to submit something since the videos you enter are viewable by the public. For those of you with inventions which are already in production and/or patented, this could be a great opportunity. I do want to warn you however that working with Walmart can make or break you, and it is usually the latter. I have worked with them in a prior life and they squeeze you very very hard on your margins (their “every day low prices” have to come from somewhere!). Of course 10,000,000 units times 10 cents is a nice profit, but if your production is not buttoned up, it could put you out of business and in debt very quickly.

I also wasn’t sure from their Website if they helped you with production financing. If they place a 100,000 unit order, are you capable of funding that production? Or will you have to take out a loan or get factored (and how will that affect your already-tight margins)?

I was but my video is not as good as the others

Just got done watching all the video submissions. Some cool ideas! Is anyone from EN planning to enter?

That’s amazing! Thanks Sarkis!

http://www.getontheshelf.com/

You could win:

•featured placement on Walmart.com,
•valuable marketing support,
•advice on scaling up,
•and a spot on Walmart store shelves!
FAQ.

No purchase necessary. Enter Dec. 21, 2011 to Feb. 22, 2012.
Subject to Official Rules.
Current voting dates: Round 1- March 7 to April 3, 2012;
Round 2- April 11 to April 24, 2012.

Greg You welcome,

let’s see the singers I mean the inventors competing

cool I will try that

Great link Sarkis – thanks!