Freight costs should be an area of focus for those who open a dollar store.Always be aware of how much freight is actually costing. Be sure to do everything possible to reduce freight costs. Some methods for reducing freight costs include:
A general rule of thumb is that the shorter the distance freight is moved the lower the cost of the transportation. While there are many exceptions to this rule, always start the search for merchandise in the city where you open a dollar store.
Rent a truck and haul it yourself. There are those who open a dollar store that actually rent or even purchase their own truck. That way they have total control over freight costs. If you have the time, ability and money, this might be an option for you as well.
Obtain a contract for freight. While this takes some time and effort, it can really save you some money when you open a dollar store. This technique works well for standard deliveries. For example, if you make purchases from a specific vendor on a weekly basis, locate a trucking company that makes the run on a weekly basis and negotiate pallet spaces to help fill their truck, at a reduced rate of course.
When you open a dollar store you will soon learn that if you can make larger purchases your freight charges per pallet will typically decrease. A general rule of thumb is that as the number of pallets being shipped goes up the freight cost per pallet decreases. While this isn’t always true, be sure to ask about freight when you are in the position to increase the order.
Don’t be afraid to say NO if the price is too high. Remember that no-one will make concessions without being asked. Negotiate on everything in a professional manner and you will be surprised how often it will result in reductions in costs.
