Special Orders at The Common Market

from Spoonful - July/August 2023

In Our Community

An easy & convenient way to save money and support your Co-op!

Do you find yourself buying large quantities of specific items from the Co-op? Save yourself some time - and money! - buy using our Special Order Program!

Our Special Order Program allows you to order item you’d like to purchase in larger quantities - up to 10 cases at a time. It’s perfect for restaurant owners, business owners, or anyone looking to stock up! We asked our Special Order gurus, Erin and Tom, what they wanted customers to know about the program. Here's what they had to say:

What's the most unusual item you've ordered for someone?

Tom: “The items themselves aren’t so unusual, but I do wonder sometimes about the quantity that some people order. What compels a person to order 10 cases of smoked fish? Maybe I don’t want to know."

Can customers only special order things that we carry in the store, or can you find pretty much anything for them?

Erin: “Customers can order items we sell, but also other items from the same brands. For instance, Amy’s has lots of products we don’t sell in the store, but we can usually special order it for you, even if it’s something we don’t normally carry. As long as our vendors carry it, we can most likely get it for you.”

What’s the easiest way customers can special order items from The Common Market?

What should we know about Special Orders?

Erin: “It’s a great and convenient way to get items you and your family really enjoy at a discounted price. You can order full cases, so you don’t have to worry about the store not having enough of something you need when you shop.

Erin: “The easiest way is the online order form. You can look up a product’s UPC code and other information online and fill out the form, which comes directly to me (find the form online at commonmarket. coop/shop/special-order/) You can also place special orders at the Customer Service Desk.”

Why is it better to order items from The Common Market rather than Amazon?

Erin: “It’s better because our customer service is unmatched! You’re supporting a local business by shopping at the Market. Also, when you place a special order, you receive a discount off the regular sticker price (5% for all customers, 12% for Co-op Owners, and 20% for employees!)"

Tom: " When you order from a place like Amazon, that money is whisked away from your local community. The profit generated gets split up between 10,220,000,000 shares that are owned by people outside of our community and especially far outside of our incometax bracket. By ordering from us, that money stays in our community, creating a healthier, happier, and more sustainable place for all of us to work and live."