Once you've developed trust, ask for referrals. You can design a referral program too.
Other than advertising costs, the only start-up cost you will really need is a vehicle (a roomy station wagon or van) that can accommodate your orders.
Other Business Considerations
If you don't have such a vehicle and money is tight, you can explore the possibility of leasing one. If you lease an automobile under your business name, you can write the monthly payments off. Of course you don't have to concern yourself with auto repair hassles...by leasing.
As business picks up, consider adding coolers to keep perishables on ice so that you can lengthen your delivery route.
Another thought... turn your baseme or extra bedroom into warehouse so you can stock high profit bulky items like sodas or disposable diapers.
This way you can purchase in quantity from a wholesaler or food warehouse, increasing your profits.
Designing your Grocery Shopping Business
Some shopping services ask their customers to place orders on a regimented schedule; one each week or every ten days.
It's also common that customers are requested to check off their items on a pre-printed shopping list. You can design the list so that "Produce" is in one section, "Meats" in another, and so on.
This method guarantees a minimum number of orders per week and allows for long range scheduling.
Other services are more flexible by allowing customers to "call in" to order on as-needed basis. This method maybe harder to schedule but could pull in more business because of increased frequency or impulse buying.
Because it is not a very good idea to carry a lot of cash around with you, it may be a good idea for your company to pay for the order as you purchase them and then collect a check from your customers upon delivery.
You will probably want to choose one particular supermarket in which to do all your shopping. Not only do you become familiar with the location of all the items you need, but you can become familiar with the store's personnel. A friendly "hello" how are you", may be the little boost you need to be able to get the best cuts of beef from the butcher or the best produce from the produce manager.
Time Is Money
If you are only shopping for prepackaged food, you can really move through the supermarket, but if you have to inspect produce, meats, or fish, the time you spend is going to be greatly increased. So, charge accordingly.
You may also want to consider shopping in stores other than supermarkets. Customers may want you to stop by the liquor store, deli or carry-out.
You may wish to increase your fees for this additional service or charge the same as you do for groceries. It's up to you.
Note: if you base your pricing on the dollar volume for the delivery, the more expensive price tags at those specialty stores will make it worthwhile to make the extra stops.
Organizational ability is the key to a successful grocery shopping service. It is a challenge to keep orders straight since you will probably be shopping for several accounts at once.
Bridging the Gap between Opportunity and Success,
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Organizational ability is the key to a successful grocery shopping service. It is a challenge to keep orders straight since you will probably be shopping for several accounts at once.
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