Click images to enlarge
We believe that as part of our product offering at green garden gates, there are the sales of bulk quantities of bark, special soils, rock, sand and other amenities for the gardener. Area #U is designated for this purpose.
About 12 large bins will be constructed using interlocking concrete highway retaining wall blocks to form the rear and side separators.
We will use recycled blocks from companies that have deemed them outdated and not usable any longer.
The floor of the bins will either be compacted gravel or perhaps a concrete floor, depending on the costs. In addition, there will be a stockpile of other products that are needed for large home landscaping; large bags of peat moss, perlite and vermiculite, decorative large boulders, as well as a high quality line of both steel and high quality poly edging. We will choose the most popular bark and other products for the particular areas and choose the highest quality grade of these materials.
Large trucks with trailers that deliver the material to our site can easily enter and exit into the area by using gate #K or through the main entrance gates. The area is large enough for easy maneuvering to the bins. Customers can also use the same entrance and exit points. All the needed equipment for this process of loading is located very near the site.
An additional portable shack will be constructed for conducting the sales of these items.
Landscapers who need this bulk material normally gather their supplies early in the morning, earlier than normal customer hours of green garden gates. Therefore, gate #K will be opened early and manned by employees for this business prior to regular store opening.
The business processing for this section is located in the office shack #M. The area behind the shack is for tool and equipment storage. The shack is located strategically at the main gate for security purposes.
This area is also the main exit route for semis and trucks who are delivering supplies to the store from area #I and #H, as well as retail customers during the peak season at the store.
There is a gate at the back of the main site that accesses the retail area
_________________________________________________________
Checklist for Bulk Sales Section
Physical Plan
Are there enough bins to handle present and future growth?
Yes, we believe that 12 large bins are sufficient for present and future needs. If there is a dramatic increase, we can expand the bin storage continuing down the property line.
Are the bins constructed sturdy enough to last a long period of time?
We have made the investment in these large highway retaining wall interlocking blocks because they are almost indestructible. Once they are positioned, leveled and interlocked, they will give us years of service. We have seen bins constructed of railroad ties that need to be repaired often and fall over in time, looking unsightly. We don’t want that maintenance.
Are the bulk delivery trucks able to maneuver into the bins easily?
Yes, we have given them plenty of room to move forward, back and turn to drop the loads. The efficiency of the delivery process is an important element of the operation.
How is the security for the sales of these items? Can someone steal products from this area?
Customers present a purchase ticket before the loading occurs. The purchase can either be handled at the main registers or at the bulk loading shack at the site. There is an automatic gate that can be operated remotely by the loading employee, letting customers in and out of the site. During working hours, employees are assigned to this area.
How is the amount of product calibrated to insure the accuracy?
We have purchased several buckets for our loader for this issue. We have determined the accuracy of the buckets by pre-measuring loads in a heaping, level or half load calibration.
Can other products besides bulk loads be purchased at the bulk products shack?
Only items that are stored and displayed in this area can be purchased. All other retail items are to be purchased at the main registers.
Are the operators of the bulk loading area certified to operate the equipment?
Yes, they are all certified. No employee can operate this equipment unless they are certified.
Can the customer easily reach this area?
Yes, our customers can either walk or drive to the area easily. Samples of the products in this area are on display in several areas of the retail store.
Are there utilities to the area? Is the area lighted?
Yes, the area is lighted with street type lighting turned off and on by the store (in the off season, lighting can be shut down). There is water and power both available. The computer and cash register in the bulk sales shack are operated wirelessly to the main frame of the store.
Procedures
How does a customer get some bark loaded into their pickup?
The customer either can purchase the bark from the main counters or is given a receipt for the bark attendant and given directions where to drive. The driver enters the bark gate #K or through the main parking area through the back gate to the area. He presents the receipt and positions his vehicle for the load. The attendant loads and signs off on the receipt with initial, ripping the corner of the receipt. The customer is directed to drive out with large signing.
Another customer may drive directly into the bark area without stopping at the main retail store or the customer has purchased items at the store and decides on bark at the last minute.
A sale and receipt is generated by the attendant at the site. The loading procedure begins and the customer exits or leaves his vehicle in a designated area to do more shopping, depending on the congestion in that area at the time. All the information on the sale is wirelessly transferred to the store main frame.
What is the procedure for delivery bark and other bulk supplies to our store?
The trucker is directed to drive to the site either through the main parking area or gate #K depending on where he is located. He is directed to dump the load in one of the bins by the attendant. All paperwork is processed at the site by the attendant and wirelessly transferred to the main frame of the store. We do not allow any cleaning of the trucks on the site other than the removal of some small debris.
Who handles disputes with the customer on bark and bulk product sales?
The manager of that area is empowered to handle all disputes and corrections. He or she is given great latitude to insure our customer has a good experience.
Who does the ordering and re-ordering of bulk loads and other products as well as tools and equipment and apparel for this section?
The manager has complete authority in communication and with advice of the general manager. There is a monthly and yearly budget for purchases and expenses for this section
Who hires and fires for these jobs in the bulk sales area?
The manager interviews, trains, evaluates, plans the work schedule and if necessary, discharges employees with the advise and in communication with the general manager
How is the cleanup handled?
There is an hourly, daily and weekly checklist for cleaning and maintaining. Employees are assigned and in some cases, carry outs from the main store are brought to the area to clean.
It's just a fact that many of the bulk storage and sales areas are a mess, dirty, unkept, with bark spread out all over everywhere. We believe that there is not difference between a checkout counter and this bulk storage area; it has to be organized, neat and tidy all the time.
Are there security issues keeping money in the bark sales shack during the day? How do you prevent the theft of bark and other supplies in this area?
Yes, there are security concerns. The shack is locked. The register is locked with codes for access. The money and receipts are picked and up from the shack several times a day during the spring season
Nothing leaves the area without a presenting a sales receipt.
The loader initials the sales slip as well as tears off a corner of the customer's receipt. The entrances and exits are watched closely by the office that is positioned near those gates.
No comments:
Post a Comment