COSTA MESA, Calif. (BRAIN) — The National Bicycle Dealers Association is extending the deadline for retailers to participate in its Supplier Scorecard program, which allows shops to rate their suppliers on 30 different supplier service categories including product availability, on-time shipping, order accuracy and control of distribution. Retailers can provide grades from A to F for each brand.
The NBDA will accept scorecards until May 16 due to increased interest. In addition, the NBDA said that based on retailer feedback, it will determine supplier awards to hand out at an awards gala at the Interbike show this fall.
The Supplier Scorecard program was created so independent bike dealers have more information on which to base their buying decisions, the NBDA said. It's also a tool to give brand managers feedback from their customers.
To date, retailers have graded 175 different suppliers through the online scoring system.
"As an incentive, we will randomly select 10 participating dealers that have each submitted 10 scorecards or more to attend the awards celebration courtesy of the NBDA," said Michael Baker, who handles marketing and communications for the retailer association. "The NBDA will have a dedicated table for those dealers."
Only independent, brick-and-mortar bicycle dealers can participate in the supplier rating program. Suppliers' average grades will be made public and brands can purchase detailed reports on themselves and the marketplace. Meanwhile, the identities of dealers who take part in the program are kept confidential.
Dealers can visit www.nbdasupplierscorecard.com, click on "Not Registered?", create an account, register, log in, to begin to rate vendors. Once registered, retailers can return to the site any time to rate additional companies.
Suppliers who want to be kept up-to-date on the progress of the program should fill out the Supplier Scorecard Information Form.
