Business Tips For Perishable Goods Vendors (2)

Good day people. I'm here for Part 2. You can search for and read the first part on the blog.

I got a text message from the supermarket on a Friday asking me to deliver some cartons of eggs the next day. Apparently, they had tried to get me on the phone but I wasn't picking the phone. I tried to call back but the network signals were really poor. I immediately sent a text message reminding them of the 72-hour policy and asked them to confirm if they were still interested so I could place the order with my supplier. I kept trying to call the supermarket that day but the calls did not connect. I practically forgot about the order and life continued.
On Monday, I got a call from the Procurement Manager of the supermarket and he sounded very annoyed that I hadn't responded to his text message. With the benefit of hindsight, considering the events that played out, I suspect that he was really playing smart so that I would not impose the 72 hour requirement. I quickly told him I had responded but perhaps the network decided to swallow the sms. He said they were out of stock and needed me to supply them immediately.
I didn't have enough eggs in stock to cover the order immediately. I asked him to allow me discuss with my suppliers to see how I could accommodate their request. I immediately called my suppliers. That's when the story began to truly unfold.
Apparently, the supermarket had tried to renegotiate their prices with their existing supplier and they had my proposal as proof. The supplier insisted on the Recommended Prices that the Egg Company had developed but did not share with me despite all my attempts to get it. Of course, they couldn't reach an agreement. I suspect the discussions took place between Friday and Monday and the impasse must have been reached on Monday just before I received the call from the supermarket.
When I called my supplier to order the eggs, we discussed details. I requested that the eggs be delivered straight to the supermarket instead of delivering them to my house and then I'll go to make the delivery in the evening when I return from the office. As I mentioned the supermarket's name, I was told that I couldn't supply them because they already had a supplier. I told my suppliers that the condition of not marketing to a store/supermarket that already had a supplier was strange to me. I was expected to get them new stores. I was like 'See sufferhead marketing work o'...A key lesson learned for me is to rigorously and aggressively ask for and receive the supplier's policies.
I told them not to bother with the supply. I quickly called the supermarket and told them that I will be unable to supply the eggs and told the Procurement Manager the real reason. I refused to pick my supplier's calls as I was fed up with them and their extra-curricular policies. I planned to stop the business and just look for something else to do.
I finally decided to write a letter to counter the proposal I submitted initially. Interestingly, the day I decided to see the Procurement Manager to discuss my cancellation letter was the same day the supermarket's supplier decided to come around to discuss with them. I heard what he was talking about so I knew he was the supplier.
After a lot of discussions with the manager, I was able to convince him to accept my cancellation letter. He threatened to stop patronizing the Egg Company and actually gave me the business card of another company that had approached them for supplies. I'll probably search out the other company soon but I'm not yet ready (and may never be) for any business that involves strife and making someone else cry. I'm a more Isaac-like business person unless I'm led to fight... Lol.

PS: I still found the brand on the Supermarket's shelf when I shopped there last, lol. And I still sell the eggs on a smaller scale...