Page 180 - 597 Business Ideas You can Start from Home - doing what you LOVE! (Beginner Internet Marketing Series)

Step 9. Find and Sell to Buyers 1 73

don't want to give names out because they do not want their buyers
hounded by people like you and me. They have other work to do
and there are lots of us out there. Instead, they may transfer you to
an announcement of how they would like new vendors to submit
their products. When you have to send a package to the attention of
"New Vendor Submission" or ''Accessories Buyer" because you don't
have a name, it is pretty much impossible to follow up with anyone.
So, you have to find creative ways to break down the barrier and get
more specific contact information.

Tips for Getting Past Corporate Red Tape

Here's a secret way I have found to get a buyer's name (though
once this gets out, there may be a new phone system that won't
allow "hackers" like me). When you call the corporate buying office
and the phone system answers: "You have reached the Big Com­
pany's corporate office. If you know your party's extension, you
may dial it at anytime. If you would like a dial-by-name directory,

please press 1 ." Press 1 . Then it usually says, "If you know your

party's last name, please dial the first three letters of the person's
last name followed by the pound sign." Dial SMI, for Smith, a very
common name. Then you will be told the names of the people who
match that entry. If there isn't anyone, try another name combina­
tion (HAR for Harris is also common). Keep trying until you get a
list of names in response.

You will hear something like "Would you like Tom Smith or
Mary Smitson?" Press the extension number for either. When Mary
or Tom pick up their line, say, "Oh, I must have the wrong exten­
sion, I am looking for the kitchen accessory buyer, can you connect
me or just give me their e-mail address?" Once you are connected,
you'll either get that person on the phone (people will usually
answer with his or her name) or you will hear the name on the voice
mail message. This technique often works because the person who
initially answered is busy and wants to end the call. Funny enough,
but this has worked like a charm for me many times.