Welcome to Product Guru! Within this article, we will explain everything you need to know about our Buyer Platform.
At Product Guru, we are constantly evolving our services for our community of buyers, to help you find innovative products with ease. Our new and highly intuitive dashboard has been designed with this in mind, to help you find exactly what you’re looking for, in a quick and seamless way.
What functions are on your dashboard?
- Browse Products
- Filter Products
- Save Searches
- Shortlist Products
- Team Collaborations
- Virtual Events
- And much more!
Browsing Products
The browse products page has been set up to help assist you in finding all the products which your company could be looking for.
While searching, you are able to search via Categories, or if you are looking for a more in depth search, you can use Filter Search. Within this section you can filter by Category, RRP & Margin, Brand, Location, Size & Volume and much more.
When performing a search with filters applied, you’ll see the option to Save Search. You can use this function to repeat the search later with specific filters, to find items quicker.
Within each product, you will have all the information which has been provided by the supplier. You will find data in relevant fields to help you make informed decisions when choosing the right products.
If you would like more information about a specific product, you have the option to contact the supplier by selecting Message Sender, or if you'd like a sample before making any final decisions you'd select Request Sample. The supplier will then be notified of either the sample request or message and respond.
If this is a product you'd like to go back to, or share on with colleagues, you are able to save this by clicking the heart shape beside the name. This will then add it to your short list and you can see this at a later date.
Shortlisting & Team Collaborations
As mentioned above, when you select the heart beside a product name, you will be given the option to add this to your saved folders.
The new feature means you will be able to share these with team members for further discussion.
As you can see in the above screenshot, there is the add users icon at the bottom of each list. If you would like to keep it just for yourself, or if this is to be shown to your team member, both is now possible.
Within each list (if shared with team members), you will now be able to rate the products as a group. This will take the average from all members. These can be sorted from highest rating to lowest overall.
If this is something you'd like to discuss further as a team before deciding to contact the supplier, there is now a group chat option where this is possible. Any team member could send the product in and have the rest discuss further.
Contacting Suppliers
You can message suppliers directly to request more details about products you’re interested in, and you can request samples too.
Suppliers cannot contact you first, they can only respond once you have reached out.
All messages are kept private between yourself and the supplier, once you receive a response you will be notified via email (as will the supplier when you message).
Requesting & Tracking samples
Once you have requested a sample, as explained further up in the article, you will be able to keep track of these on your dashboard. You are able to track these, and also message the supplier to chase these up.
Once you have received the product we ask if you could let the supplier know - it saves them having to chase this up.
When you'd like to track your sample, you can do so by selecting this option. You will be shown a screen like below. Any updates will be provided via this webpage.
Virtual Events
Over the last year, our Virtual Events have been a great way for buyers to see innovative products presented by challenger brands in quick video sessions. Each supplier has 7 minutes to explain their product in detail, and you as a buyer are able to ato ask questions and take one-click next actions, such as requesting samples and providing feedback.
Within your Virtual Event tab on your dashboard, you will be able to see all events we have planned, and you can attend any which you think would be beneficial to your company.
Each events lasts approximately 90mins, we ask you are available for the full event.
Once the event has started, all buyers who have requested to attend will be brought into a virtual room. On your screen, you will see the supplier pitching, and all their brand information to the right-hand side.
If you would like further information on a product, all you need to do is select the one you wish more information on and it will bring up a product description, as well as the unit cost, RRP, GM and VAT rate.
Whilst on the event, once a supplier has finished their 7min presentation, you will be prompted to request a sample or if the item is not for you there will be an option to let the supplier know. This means they will not be able to contact you.
At the end of the event, suppliers can reach out for further contact. This is the only time in which a supplier can contact you first.
Once the event is complete, you will have a summary provided of all the sample requests and shortlisted products throughout the pitch. You will be given the option to request more samples, or find similar products to the ones you have already chosen.
At the end of each pitch the suppliers can reach out directly if you have not requested a sample or sent any further communication.
This will be found via your messages, we do ask if you could respond to the supplier and let them know your next steps with their product.
Settings
Within your account settings, you will see a screenshot like below. You are able to edit your profile, privacy, email preferences, default categories, update password as well as your sample email text. This is used when requesting for a sample, to save having to re-enter the details each time.
Support
If you have any further questions or any issues at all, please feel free to contact us on Live Chat or email support@productguru.co.uk and we will help anyway we can.