The Two Phone Calls

Call one: QBP

Quality Bicycle Products, the big distributor in Minnesota. If the shop has a sales rep there, ask for them. Otherwise customer service works.

CUSTOMER SERVICE 800-346-0004

Open with: "Hi, I'm calling from The Vault Bicycle Shop in Las Vegas. We're a QBP dealer. We're rebuilding our website and I have a few questions about connecting it to QBP." Then go down the list.

"Can you set us up with an API key and eFTP credentials for our website? I'm told it's the same API key that POS systems like Lightspeed use. Does either one cost anything?"

These are two logins. Supposed to be free, but write down whatever they say.
"We also need the Content Licensing key, the one you call CLS, for product photos and descriptions. What does that cost, and can you email us the agreement before we sign anything?"

Nobody publishes this price. Get a number if you can.
"Our web developer is building the site himself instead of using Lightspeed or Workstand. Will those keys work for that, or only with software QBP has approved?"
The big one
"Can you email our web developer the technical instructions for sending orders through eFTP? The document that spells out what the order file has to look like. His email is brayden@webpath.agency."

If they send this, customer orders can go straight to their warehouse with nobody typing anything. If they hem and haw, ask again nicely.
"We want to sign up for Retail Fulfillment Services so QBP ships web orders straight to our customers. Does our account qualify? What's the per-box fee now? And what paperwork do you need from us?"

This is where the insurance certificate comes up. Ask where to send it and Mike takes it from there.
"Are there brands we can't show or ship from our own website? Can you email us the current list?"
"After QBP ships a customer's order, how does our website get the tracking number?"
"If a customer orders something that just sold out, what happens? Backorder, cancel, or ship from another warehouse?"
"How do cancellations and returns work on orders QBP ships to our customers?"

Before you hang up, write down

The name (and extension) of whoever helped you, so we can call them back.
Any prices or fees they mentioned.
What they promised to email, and what address they're sending it to.

Call two: J&B

J&B Importers in Miami. Same idea. Ask for the shop's rep if they have one, otherwise just the main line. If the rep can't answer the file questions, ask for their IT department.

MAIN LINE 800-666-5000

Open with: "Hi, I'm calling from The Vault Bicycle Shop in Las Vegas. We're a J&B dealer. We're rebuilding our website and I have questions about your data feed and dropshipping."

"Can we get an FTP login for your data feed? And what's in it besides inventory? Prices, product descriptions, UPC codes, photos?"

They'll know what FTP means.
"How often does the inventory file update during the day?"
"Can you email our web developer the file layout, meaning which column in the inventory file goes with which warehouse? He's at brayden@webpath.agency."
"Do you have a dropship program we can use from our own website without going through Workstand? How do we get approved? And is it still five dollars a shipment plus the FedEx cost?"

Dropship means the customer orders on our site and J&B ships it to their door.
"Which brands are excluded from dropship? Can you email us the current list?"
The big one
"Is there a way for our website to send you dropship orders automatically? A file upload, an email, an FTP drop, anything besides someone logging into jbi.bike and typing them in. If there is, can you email our developer the instructions and the file format?"

Same deal as the QBP one. This is the one I really need.
"How do we get tracking numbers back after you ship a customer's order?"
"If something's out of stock when an order comes in, do you backorder or cancel? And how do returns work on shipments to customers?"
"Can we use your product photos and descriptions on our website? Do we need to sign anything for that?"

Before you hang up, write down

Who you talked to, and their extension.
Any fees they quoted.
What they're emailing, and what address they're sending it to.

Before you dial

Call one: QBP

Call two: J&B

When you're done