News - New store opening August 3

Upcoming Changes At Wilco
I’m sure you have noticed the running down of stock over recent months. We do apologise but we are preparing for our biggest change ever as Wilco will soon be moving to new, purpose-built facilities – Champagne Estate in Port Vila and a new store in Santo.   This provides a great opportunity to improve our product range and service for the benefit of all of our customers.  So I thought I’d let you know about some of the changes you can expect to see - new products, new ranges, improved facilities, greater convenience, reduced margins, fairer pricing.

Products and Pricing
We’re reducing our margins on most stock lines and changing the way many lines are packaged and priced.  For example, most hardware lines will now be stocked in low quantity convenience packs suitable for casual and domestic customers and in economy packs suitable for trade customers, with pricing reflecting the quantities purchased. We’re expanding our range from our current 15,000 products to over 30,000 lines.  Along with this expansion, we’re introducing a number of new departments for your convenience.

Payment
Improved product ranges and fairer pricing can only be guaranteed if we receive payment promptly. This means no more dishonoured cheques.  Think of Wilco as Cash and Carry accepting cash, debit and credit cards.  Yes, this does mean we won’t be accepting cheques as a payment method so please get prepared. We’ll make it as easy as we can, though, with EFTPOS machines in-store accepting all local bank cards, with a minimum purchase requirement of just vt2000.  ATMS will also be available inside the store for those needing access to cash. Plus the ANZ Bank will have a branch for over the counter transactions conveniently located in store.

Email Paperwork
We’re enhancing our systems to allow us to email quotes, invoices and statements. And we can email any of them to up to three email addresses that you advise.  This will be our preferred way of doing business and we invite you to join us in saving reams of paper and doing our bit towards a greener Vanuatu. 

Signatures and Invoices
For those of you with Cash or Credit Accounts, we’re introducing e-Pads to electronically collect and store signatures with invoices. This means we can email your invoices inclusive of e-Pad signatures rather than printing them.   No more lost paper invoices! Of course, you can still elect to have paper invoices, either docket size with e-Pad signatures or the A4 ones you’re used to now, although this is not our preferred option. Reprints may incur a charge.
Monthly statements will be emailed in PDF format showing transaction items. Those without email access can elect paper statements to be posted.

Discounts
We’re offering fairer pricing to all so there will be less need for Cash Accounts and discounts.  All discounts, cash accounts and credit facilities will be reviewed and simplified.  We believe our philosophy of reducing our margins for everyone is fairer than higher margins with discounts for the few. We will still offer options to access our buying power for projects and we will be more than happy to discuss these options with those looking at project work.  Our goal is to keep the business local and we’ll do what we can to achieve this.

Credit Facilities
We acknowledge that, for a limited number of customers , credit terms may still be required.  All credit facilities will need a new application and must agree to abide strictly by the terms of credit. Please ask for an application should you require one. 
Please note that all applications for Cash or Credit Accounts will need to be with us by end of June. Changes to our software mean only new approved accounts will be setup when we move so if you have an existing account you will need to submit a new application before the end of June.

One roof, huge range, good service – everyone’s been asking and now they’re almost here. We value your business and we value your comments and feedback.  Please let us know what stock you’d like to see in our new store, we’ll do our best to source and stock it.  We aim to be consistent in stocking our improved product range so running out of stock should be a rarity in the future.  Again, I apologise for the shortages over the last few months and I thank you for your patience and support. We look forward to welcoming you to our new product ranges, pricing and service soon.

Andrew Hobbs
Managing Director