Chapter Nine
Services & Products Offered for
Sale & Purchasing
Your Franchise Operations Manual
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We have determined what items are best for our stores to sell in our franchises. Only specific products and
particular items offered for sale may be purchased. Since these brands and the quantity is specific to store
size and location, please contact the company for these "approved " brands. This list will be your guide to
purchasing.
ITEMS OFFERED FOR SALE
Half-Priced Granite has been in business for over 50 years. We have been able to do this by offering a 25
year guarantee for all our granite and by offering granite at half the prices of the depot stores. Not only do
we offer pre-engineered granite at discount prices but we also offer sinks and faucets half off the depot
stores as well.
We offer 6 colors of Pre-Engineered Granite: Baltic Brown Granite, Uba Tuba Granite, Desert Sand
Granite, Santa Cecilia Granite, Giallo Fiorito Granite and New Venetian Granite.
The sinks that we offer come in different sizes and are unique to the hole cut-outs of our pre-engineered
granite. We offer a 50/50 kitchen sink, a 70/30 kitchen sink, a 30/70 kitchen sink, a 50/50 cast iron kitchen
sink, a topmount sink as well as our KS 50 sink and a B2210 white, and a B2210 bisque sink.
We offer 2 types of faucets, the Classic sink faucet and the Deluxe sink faucet, both come in 3 specific
finishes: Brushed nickel, Chrome and Oil Rubbed Bronze.
We also offer our exclusive Bellinzoni Palimer Sealer.
PRICING STRATEGY
The company recommended prices are designed to help you achieve a certain cost and provide value to the
customer. The prices are set to appeal to a wide variety of customers. Pricing will be set by Half-Priced
Granite. Please contact the company for further assistance.
Periodically, the Company reviews the cost of products and takes into consideration the rate of inflation
and market conditions. The Company will propose, if deemed necessary, a recommended adjustment to
current prices. These recommendations will be sent out by the Company if and when needed.
International Pricing
For stores that are located outside the U.S. and Canada, we recommend that similar guidelines be followed
in accordance with local currencies.
Increasing Prices
Since many consumers are sensitive to increasing prices, we suggest limited number of increases at any one
time.
RECOMMENDED PRICES
Recommended prices for particular items are set forth by the Company and need to be adhered to at all
times.
LOGOTYPE PAPER/ PACKAGING GOODS
Half-Priced Granite logo items must be purchased only from authorized manufacturers who have been
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granted approval by the Company to reproduce the Half-Priced Granite logo.
Packaging Designs
Our paper products may include special packaging designs that incorporate information or promotional
taglines, along with our logo. These designs may not be valid for use in all countries. If this is the case,
different versions of our paper/packaging products may be produced and you will be required to use the
version appropriate to your country. There may be cases, however, where a particular design will not be
available for us outside the U.S. or Canada.
APPROVED PRODUCTS
The Company has developed a system for approving the products that are permitted for sale or purchase in
Half-Priced Granite. For certain products, you are required to purchase specific brands. Again, since
location and store size affect product placement, please contact the Company for more detailed descriptions
and product specifications.
The Half-Priced Granite Standards Program
To enhance consistency across the system and increase purchasing efficiency, the Company may develop a
Half-Priced Granite Standard and Quality Assurance Program. This program will include product
consistency through a single Half-Priced Granite Standard specification for each product category.
1. Price
Price is always a critical factor because it will greatly influence your product cost. If you feel that a price is
not in-line with your market, please contact the Company.
2. Service
While price and consistent quality are primary factors in your Half-Priced Granite franchise, good service
is also critical to your operation. The first area of responsibility of a Half-Priced Granite franchise owner
is to hire, train and retain first class employees. The second area of responsibility of any franchise owner is
to build and retain relationships with customers in the retail sales and catering marketing area.
So while it is the Company’s responsibility to deal with distribution warehouses and the services they
provide, it is the franchisees responsibility to make sure that all orders from the Company are delivered in a
timely manner, so that our customers receive first class service in a timely manner.
Purchase Only Approved Products
Half-Priced Granite has preferred vendors depending on your geographical location. Please contact the
Company to find out which products can be ordered through preferred vendors.
PRODUCT ORDERING PROCEDURE
Proper ordering is vital to your control. Please contact the company for further information regarding
proper ordering procedures.
RECEIVING
Half-Priced Granite uses a company approved POS system for receiving orders. Note that a store owner
or manager should be present when goods are delivered in order to verify the quantity, quality, and the
condition of the items delivered.
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Checking Deliveries
1.
Unpack all products immediately to check for any damage.
2.
Make sure delivered goods are approved brands.
3.
If products are unacceptable for any reason, refuse them. Mark those cartons with an “X” and
return them to the delivery person. Note on the invoice the reason for refusal. Have the delivery
person co-sign the invoice.
4.
Check for completeness of the shipment. Check case quantity against the quantity ordered and
have the delivery person co-sign the invoice.
5.
Sign only for merchandise actually received.
6.
Date and initial all products received.
RELATIONSHIP
FACILITY
WITH
COMPANY
AND
OFF-SITE
COMPANY
It is important to have good communication with the Company and the any Company approved off-site
facilities. A rapport should develop as soon as you become a steady and valued customer. Occasionally,
you may encounter a difficulty with facility or delivery person. Be aware that the following situations or
mistakes can occur.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Incorrect quantities being delivered.
Packaging of merchandise with excessive moisture to add more weight.
Packing satisfactory merchandise on top of a carton with poor quality merchandise underneath.
Sending incomplete shipments without adjusting your invoice.
The best approach is to establish a pattern of carefully checking each delivery and contacting the company
facility immediately if there are any problems with the delivered product.
Your relationship with the company facilities is like a partnership. A professional business approach on
your part is necessary to maintain a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship. Extend these courtesies to
the facility.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Pay your bills promptly.
Place your orders on time.
Order whenever possible. Some distribution centers may have an additional charge for quantities
below a certain minimum.
Give the facility advance notice of upcoming sales or special promotions so they can order
accordingly.
Deplete inventories specially ordered for your market.
QUALITY CONTROL
The Company will help you resolve any product quality problems you may experience. Whether it's out-ofcode or damaged store/paper products, contact the Company. Only if you call a problem in to us will we
have an idea if the tainted product is out in the system on a system-wide, regional or individual store level.
Guidelines For Resolving Problems
1.
Isolate and remove damaged product.
2.
Write down the manufacturer's name and any identification numbers found on the box. This will
help determine when and in what batch the product was manufactured.
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3.
Write down what the problem is
4.
Contact the Company once the above is complete. Give all the details. The Company will work
with the manufacturer toward a resolution.
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