• After you've arrived and picked up your badge at registration, grab a Directory and The Showtimer, both available at all Registration Counters and Information Booths.
• Check luggage at the Coat/Luggage Check. (It's only $2 per item.)
• Visit Market Travel, located on the 1st floor of the World Trade Center, and reserve your rates for the rest of the year.
• Attend Market Orientation, it occurs each morning at 9 a.m., to find showrooms, locate merchandise and check out the Buyers' Lounge.
• The Showtimer lists our seminars and fashion shows. Events are usually free, unless otherwise noted.
• If you miss Market Orientation, take time to walk around and visit each floor.
• Stop by our Information Booths, located on each floor, for help locating showrooms or amenities.

Have additional questions? Frequently Asked Questions

Open-To-Buy refers to the amount that you can spend for merchandise within a specific time period, as determined by the Dollar Merchandise Plan. Calculate your Open-To-Buy to keep your merchandise investment in line with your merchandise dollars.

Your Open-To-Buy is the amount of planned purchases that have been budgeted for a given period of time, minus the actual orders (on order) that have already been placed, but haven't been delivered. Open-To-Buy may be expressed in dollars, units or both.

Open-To-Buy is like your checking account. Your purchases are deducted from your balance. For each month in your six-month plan, allot an amount for retail purchases. Because most merchandise orders are not received as they are placed, keep an eye on your balance. Information from unit control can help you calculate your Open-To-Buy.

Beginning of the month dollar inventory
-   Retail sales
+  Purchases
-   Markdown $
=  End of the month inventory

Order Writing

When writing orders, detail the following:

• Beginning, delivery and completion dates
• Style numbers
• Quantities and colors
• Transportation and shipping
• Cost per style
• Special terms

Original order forms are given to the manufacturer. Duplicates are needed for the receiving and accounting departments. Use the third copy to determine:

• Outstanding orders
• Receipt of goods in the department
• Follow-up
• Unit control records

Is my order finalized?

Until an order has actually been placed, you're free to change your mind about the order. Once the order is placed, it is considered a contract between the store and the vendor, and you have committed to receiving the merchandise.

Showrooms recommend that you write the orders and leave them before you leave town. Otherwise, mail it in upon your return.

• When you write orders, include brief notes about the merchandise.
• These notes may help salespeople, as well as advertising and display departments.
• Note expensive items bought for special customers or items that will be used for events.
• Take quick photos to review merchandise. Just ask vendors for permission first.
• Write orders as soon as possible to ensure on-time deliveries.
• NEVER pack uncompleted orders or line sheets in luggage you check with the airlines.
• Request to ship brochures or catalogs to your store. Don't weigh yourself down!
• If you have too much paperwork, mail it via UPS or FedEx located on the 1st floor of the World Trade Center.

A ship date refers to the date the merchandise leaves the manufacturer's warehouse. It does not include the time it takes to arrive at your store.

Always confirm the exact ship date and estimated delivery time.

An "in store" date refers to the date the merchandise will arrive at your store. If you are targeting a specific date, you will need your merchandise at least three to five days before that date. Request in store dates for shipping and write them clearly on each order.

In addition to determining the form of FOB, determine the best method of shipping. Time and cost are important when determining transportation and storage.

The main methods of shipping after UPS are:

• Railroad freight
• Railway express
• Motor freight
• Parcel post
• Air Express air freight
• Truck-rail

Before shipping COD, most showrooms require a deposit.

Specify the method of transportation when placing your orders.

Remember, vendors rate and analyze the profitability of doing business with your store. They rate your store based on how well it does with their merchandise and on the fairness with which you treat them. Excessive cancellations, returns or customer service problems can cause some to rate stores as unprofitable.