Smart Parts Ramps up Dealer Direct Marketing

Bypassing distributors, Smart Parts' Authorized Dealer program for fields and stores provides better margins to the dealer and better service for the customer.

Loyalhanna, PA – October 22, 2007 – While many paintball dealers and field owners have become accustomed to one-stop shopping through large wholesale distributors, Smart Parts, Inc. is ceasing its distributor level pricing programs to focus on working directly with Smart Parts Authorized dealers and fields.

“Ultimately, it comes down to quality of service,” said Smart Parts Vice President, Adam Gardner. “Store and field owners are the backbone of the paintball industry. By partnering with them directly, we can better inform them about our rapidly expanding product line, which in turn means the end user gets to deal with a more knowledgeable sales and support staff. Dealer direct sales also give us more capability to enforce our Minimum Advertised Price program which protects the dealer's ability to earn a fair profit, while delivering competitive prices to the player.”

Rebecca Gamble is the company's Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) coordinator, and works full time to make sure the policies are followed. “I'm very exciting about the new focus on direct sales to Smart Parts Authorized Dealers,” says Gamble. “It eliminates the wildcard of distributors selling to Internet and garage based dealers who advertise blow MAP, undercutting the legitimate businesses which provide true service and support to the customer.”

Paintball store and field owners interested in learning more about becoming a Smart Parts Authorized Dealer, as well as the company's free technician certification program, and all new products are invited to visit the Smart Parts Expo Trailer at the 2007 PSP Paintball World Cup, October 22nd through 28th at Disney's Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida, or call Smart Parts, Inc., at 800-992-2147 to speak with a dealer sales representative.

Smart Parts, Inc., is a leading developer and manufacturer of equipment and accessories for the sport of paintball. For more information, visit SMART PARTS.

Direct-to-Retailer pricing = more than wholesalers pay but less than what the wholesalers get. Win Win for SP as they get more for their product and the dealers pay less for the product than they would through a distributor. I wonder what the minimum on orders will be for them to cover all the shipping costs now.