How and why did ritchieintexas.com become a reality?
In 2003, Ritchie Industries and Becker Wholesale Supply of Slaton, Texas entered into a factory / distributor relationship. Becker Wholesale was authorized to distribute Ritchie waterers, Ritchie fountains, Ritche horse waterers, & Ritchie parts throughout ALL of the state of Texas, Eastern New Mexico (East of the mountains), and Southern Oklahoma (South of Interstate 40).
The primary marketing strategies used in marketing Ritchie products:
1. Attending trade shows where agricultural, farm, ranch, horse and other animal related products were being shown to the industry. Meeting new prospective dealers and end users, answering questions, training, selling, shipping, and delivering Ritchie products.
2. Regularly calling on established and prospecitve Ritchie dealers as well as large cattle, horse, goat, sheep, swine, & large livestock concerns such as feed yards and dairies.
3. Following up on sales leads from the factory via phone, email, or fax. Advertising methods have included many and varied kinds of magazine, newspaper, and yellow pages phone book advertising placed both locally and nationally. In 2007 we are also using strategically placed billboards throughout the territory with local dealers listed on them (free advertising for the dealers). LOOK RIGHT --->
4. The Becker Wholesale website was developed and used to find, educate and inform customers about Ritchie products and their nearest dealers. However, this website has never been active with secure order and pay features, freight calculators, etc. It has only been a site of information and contact.
In 2006, it was decided that dealers who had a desire to sell Ritchie on the internet would be encouraged to do so within the territory...but to our surprise, there was none at that time who were prepared to publish an active Ritchie website and give customers the option to order and pay for Ritchie online.
Becker's has created the first "in Texas, for Texas" retail Ritchie website...ritchieintexas.com
This site will provide encouragement and example to dealers who wish to develop their own online e-marketing plan. This important sales strategy is going to be rewarding to any dealer who develops a well designed online Ritchie store. Meanwhile, until more dealers serve Texas customers wishing to buy Ritchie products online within our territory, ritchieintexas.com will provide this important avenue of service.
An important note:
Ritchieintexas.com is designed to reach and serve the retail Ritchie customers of Texas, Eastern New Mexico, and Southern Oklahoma (south of I-40). Ritchie believes the distributor / dealer relationship is the best way to serve its customers across the United States so Ritchie related websites are only permitted to take orders from customers located in their authorized geographic territory. With everyone's co-operation, Ritchie hopes that internet sales can be a huge success for all.
Dealers who wish to use the same software / training program we used to build this website can checkout storesonline.com
