MSA Vendors Are Superior

March 20, 2017

By Blue Anderson

MSA vendors are superior. I doubt I’ll get much pushback on that statement from this MSA-loving readership. But, there is nothing like a cold-call from a non-member rep to make you wish all of your vendors were MSA Superior.

An unknown, but seasoned, sales pro stopped by my store on her way to another account, afterward sending me an email saying she had the perfect garment lines for us and asking if I had time to see her in the afternoon. Being a decent buyer, I checked out her wares online, and although one company was pedestrian beachwear, her secondary line caught my eye: mid-priced, waterproof rainwear. “Hmm,” I thought, “I’m building a ’Survival’ store for a spring opening, and that may just fit the ticket.” I emailed her back and said, “Please stop by and I’ll take a look at the Mossy Tech merchandise.”

Later that afternoon, the rep rolled her garment bags into my office. I gave her a quick overview of the store, emphasizing that I was looking for merchandise that would relate to our new exhibit, “Science of Storms,” and fit into our survival-themed pop-up store. We went back into my office where she pulled out her No. 1 seller up and down the coast: a teal, girlie tee with an image of a crab on the left chest.

I said, “Nice, but no, I’d like to see your rain gear.” She said to wait, we’d get to that later—as this line was the hot, hot, hottest, she must show me it first, and then we’d get to the other line. I replied, a little more firmly, “No, I need to see the rainwear first, that is what I am looking for.”

Now, I’ve been in the retail business a long time, and I suspect she just as long, but I was a little taken aback when she said—in her best guru voice—“No, you must let me guide you.” I was teetering between shouting, “Cut! That’s a wrap!” and walking away, or trying one more time to get my elusive glimpse at the waterproof rain gear catalog. I opted to try once more, stating firmly that I couldn’t look at anything else until I saw the Mossy Tech line. She looked at me as if I said, “I have an ink gun and I’m not afraid to use it on your samples.” She quietly said, “OK, you lead.”

MSA vendors: Thank you for knowing what we do and why we do it. Thank you for listening for cues and being creative with your lines. Thank you for knowing we may get one shot at bringing in new merchandise; that we might not need your wares now, but may need them after our next museum exhibits meeting. Thank you for sharing information about your fellow vendor members when you may not have the right item for us.

MSA vendors jump in with both feet, no matter how cold and deep the water may seem, being active at our chapter meetings and at MSA Forward 2017. And MSA vendors don’t admonish us with that tired line from non-MSA reps, “but your mission is to make money,” when we don’t purchase their latest new doodad that doesn’t relate to our institutions.

So, will I ask this particular seasoned rep to join our MSA family, hoping she will learn about museum stores? (MSA Office, cover your eyes.) No. MSA vendors are superior. Thank you.

Feel free to share your favorite MSA vendor or individual museum store member story and how they have enhanced your business life or institution at Anderson@crmm.org.

Blue Anderson is the current MSA Board Secretary and President of the MSA Pacific Northwest Chapter. She is Manager of Visitor Services at the Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria, Oregon.