Setting The Record Straight: Wholesale
Each month, Know The Score is going to give you an inside look at the processes and procedures that go on behind the scenes here at Waxwork Records in a new segment called "Setting The Record Straight." First up, the wholesale department!
Here at Waxwork, we believe in the power of the record store. There’s nothing better than digging through some crates and finding a hidden gem! So, we work hard to make sure that record stores worldwide have the ability to stock their shelves with Waxwork soundtracks. Sure, you’ve seen our releases in your favorite stores, and we're sure you’ve thought to yourself, “Huh, I wonder the process this little record went through to get here.” Well, my friend, fear not! Because Jamie, your humble wholesale hero, is here to provide you with all the answers!
How it All Starts
The story of a record ending up in your local record shop begins the same way as when you order on our website (and you can read all about that process here!) Instead of your record being happily packaged by your devoted warehouse team, the orders that are placed by stores are received directly by Jamie, and he jumps into action! Wholesale orders can range from one to hundreds of records, so there is a lot of tinkering to decide what records can fit into what box to make things make the most sense. No store wants to receive 50 boxes, or boxes that weigh 50 pounds! We also make sure that boxes are not overstuffed with records, minimizing any amount of damage that may occur during transit. If you've seen one of our larger packages, you've seen the lengths we go through to ensure a safe delivery. After the boxes are packed and protected, Jamie ships them off to eager stores.
Distributing Our Records
There is, however, another way that the Wonderful World of Waxwork ends up in stores: distribution. Waxwork Records works with a number of distributors around the world to make sure that all stores have access to our releases. When these orders come in, they can be in quantities of 50, 100, 500, even into the thousands! These are boxed up and placed on pallets in our warehouse and shipped by truck (or boat depending on the final destination!) to our distributors. From there, stores can order our records alongside titles from Taylor Swift and Pink Floyd and whatever else is moving the needle at their shop.
Wholesale and Exclusive Variants
Occasionally, we will press limited wholesale variants of our releases. These variants are available only in stores around the world, and are distinct from what you get when ordering directly from our website.
Finally, we have the elusive Exclusive. Some stores or distributors get their own variant of our titles. These can range from big box retailers to major record stores to small mom-and-pop stores. Exclusives are pressed in small numbers, and those variants are only available to those specific customers, those titles never being pressed again in those colors. Just another little benefit to entice you into record stores!
How Can You Sign Up?
After reading all of this, you may now be asking yourself “Jamie, how do I, or my favorite purveyor of vinyl records become a wholesaler?” I’m glad you asked! Do you own a brick-and-mortar store? Would spooky soundtracks fit in with your shop vibes? Do you want to fill your shelves with some cool records? Let us know! Have your store owner email wholesale@waxworkrecords.com and we can start the process of getting you a wholesale account!
Leave a comment