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With traders, suppliers and traditional petroleum marketers filling the supply chain, re-sellers are carving out their space. Providing a convenient and cost-effective alternative for customers, they are often the most attractive option for buying fuel.
Re-sellers provide the customer with the options they deserve, and what customer doesn’t enjoy options?
The best alternative
Re-sellers can drive a profitable and sustainable business but they also face a slate of unique challenges to remain a customer’s top choice while protecting razor thin margins.
In order to remain relevant, re-sellers must meet their expanding customer base with the most innovative industry tools and strategies, all while maintaining a strong supply and profit and keeping customer relations at the center of the operation.
Getting digital
Customers want hassle-free transactions that allow them to quickly and confidently complete transactions with ease. They require their pricing and bills of lading (BOLs) be received electronically – as they do from major oil companies. This expedites everyone’s process, improves accuracy and enhances the overall customer experience.
Buyers won’t buy if you don’t supply!
While price is the biggest factor in the buying decision, having readily available product is key. Quite simply, buyers won’t buy if you don’t have supply! Protecting volume for those customers is possible using product allocations which allow re-sellers to reserve gallons needed for their own deliveries, gallons for contract customers and a balance for uncommitted buyers.
Real-time action
Since re-sellers sell product directly at the terminal to customers lifting on their accounts (most often with other suppliers), re-sellers have a significantly higher risk for buyers to exceed their credit limits. Utilizing the same tools as suppliers, they should impose credit allocations along with pre-arranged controls to manage that risk in real-time across all terminals regardless of the terminal operator.
First class customer service
In order to maintain strong business relationships with suppliers and customers, re-sellers should always openly communicate and have a pulse on available inventory, so as not to miss an opportunity.
Customer bonus: Prioritizing volume for top customers is another great way to strengthen customer relations and create customer loyalty.
You can do this, and do it well!
From creating seamless communication and transactions, to the improvement in product and credit management, re-sellers reduce their risks with the use of industry tools and strategies. These added benefits will not only make re-sellers more marketable to consumers, but also will help manage workloads, profit and keep business moving forward.
To learn more about how Schneider Electric solutions can help with the art of re-selling, visit our website today.
