buyer ’ s group The Buyers Group: An Important NCA Membership Perk My duty is to make sure everyone knows the value of membership in the National Costumers Association. The Buyers Group is what first attracted me to the NCA. My frugal side demands that I attempt to get the best possible deal when purchasing products to maximize profits. When I discovered the NCA and its fabulous Buyers Group program, I achieved that goal. Our business—Discount Costumes in Warner Robins, Ga.—joined the NCA in 2006, when we only offered rental costumes, inflatables and balloon decorating in our 2,500-sq.-ft. building. Within five years, we opened a second, 3,600-sq.-ft. location stocked wall-to-wall with costumes and accessories in the same city. We are now looking for an even larger facility. Without the NCA, especially The Buyers Group’s superb discounts for NCA members, this would not have happened. As past membership chairperson, I speak with business owners who have expressed three common concerns about The Buyer’s Group: “I am a Rental Only store, so I do not need it.” Rental was all my business did at first. Don’t be afraid to test the waters; you will be pleasantly surprised. The Buyers Group includes companies that offer costumes you can rent
or sell. I find that decade-themed costumes are a yearround commodity. This is a great way to start, then you can go up from there. “I am a very small shop and can’t afford even the minimums.” Some vendors offer initial orders as low as $100 to NCA members. Some companies might make you order more to get discounts, but I find that just lowering the minimums has been helpful to me. “I can’t afford to go to the Halloween & Party Expo (HPE) to get the discounts.” That’s the beauty of it—NCA members receive a booklet that lists participants and their discounts. Additional savings are available by going to the HPE Show; however, as long as you have a computer, you will get monthly email blasts from companies touting special offers above and beyond their regular Buyers Group discounts. Some include free shipping plus discounts as high as 90 percent off. So join the National Costumers Association now—you’ll get your membership dues back in no time! Marion Bradley NCA President
NCA Vendors offer discounts to NCA Members NCA vendors once again will offer specific Buyers Group Programs to NCA members for the 2019 buying year. These programs are offered as a way to help support you and your bottom line. Our vendors strive to help us all succeed. In return we should strive to make these fellow NCA vendor members successful by continuing to buy products from them. When putting your 2019 orders together, ask yourself: “Is this an NCA vendor member? If not, do I want to order my product from this vendor, or do I want to look for similar product that a fellow member carries so we can support each other?” If you order from a non-member company, encourage them to become a member and offer an NCA Buyers Group Program. It is important to take feb|March 2019
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advantage of these programs so our vendors know we support them the way that they support us. The companies listed on the following pages have pledged special discounts to NCA members. Remember to list your NCA member number on ALL orders, even for firms not listed here, to show industry vendors the strength of our organization. If you notice an additional discount is provided, please contact the NCA office at 800-NCA-1321 so we can assist the supplier in publishing the great discounts. The National Costumers Association, its officers, or its representatives, are not responsible for errors in this printing. Always verify all discounts and terms with the company before finalizing purchases.
