DPIS  |  Policies and Procedures  |  Schedule/Cancel Demos  |  Demo Rates  |  Chinese Site

Policies and Procedures

The above table is for a quick reference only. There is more information in this page than the table displays. Please scroll through this entire page for a more complete understanding of the information provided.

New Vendors

Dear New Vendor,

Thank you for your interest in Club Demonstration Services, Taiwan (CDST). CDST's mission is to provide high quality product demonstration and marketing services to Costco Wholesale customers, with the intent of improving sales through promoting product trial in a friendly, professional style. CDST is an in-house demonstration company exclusive to Costco Wholesale. We abide by and adhere to all Costco policies and standards. Our intention is to create lasting customer awareness that will increase sales, not just during the demonstration, but for months to follow.

Before any request for demonstrations will be processed, the Demonstration Agreement, Credit Application and Vendor Information Sheet must be completed, signed and faxed to the Scheduling Department in Taiwan where you would like to run demonstrations.

(The above links will take you to a page that you must print, sign and fax to the Scheduling Department)

You will be notified by your scheduling associate when your account has been approved.  Once approved, you must complete a Scheduling Request Form to schedule demonstrations and a Demonstration Product Information Sheet (DPIS) on each item you would like to have demonstrated.  Please allow a minimum of two weeks to process your paperwork.

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Established Vendors

Once you are established, you will only have to send in a completed Work Order and a Demonstration Product Information Sheet (DPIS) for new items.

Scheduling Policies/Guidelines - A minimum of TWO WEEKS application is required prior to the demonstration date.  Advanced scheduling is strongly suggested as Vendors are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis.

Days of the Week Policy - Vendors may request specific demonstration dates, however, Club Demonstration Services Taiwan has been directed by Costco Wholesale to maintain balanced demonstration activity throughout the week.  Members shop every day of the week and demonstrations sell product on Monday as well as Saturday.

Demo date requests must be balanced so that for every weekend demonstration scheduled, Vendors must perform a demo on a weekday. PLEASE NOTE: COSTCO HAS DETERMINED THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY ARE CONSIDERED WEEKEND DAYS.

Road Shows are exempt from the days of the week policy.   Road Shows feature Vendor items not normally carried in the warehouse.  These items are promoted 4 to 5 consecutive days with a minimum of 7 hours per day.

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Rescheduling Policy - The demonstration may not occur on the scheduled date due to no product, low stock, staff illness, weather, etc.  The CDST Warehouse Supervisor will automatically reschedule the demonstration if this occurs.

CDST is authorized by Costco Wholesale to perform the demonstration within 14 days from the originally scheduled date.  If the demonstration cannot be performed (usually due to no stock or low stock), in that time period, the demonstration is permanently canceled. 

It is possible that a weekend date demonstration could be rescheduled to an early weekday and vice versa.

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Confirmations   How do I know if my work order has been processed?

Vendors will receive an emailed confirmation indicating demonstration dates, warehouse locations and the scheduled item.  The Vendor is accountable for addressing date, item or warehouse discrepancies with the Scheduling Associate within 24 hours after receipt of confirmation.

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Cancellation Policy - Club Demonstration Services requires a 72 working hour notice for all cancellations. Cancellations must be arranged through CDST website 72 working hours prior to demo date. Demonstrations are not cancelled until you receive a confirmation.  Please contact the Scheduling Dept. if you do not receive a confirmation within 72 working hours.  Every effort will be made to cancel with short notice; however, any demonstrations performed because of the short cancellation notice will be due and payable by the Vendor.

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Changes/Additions - Changes/Additions must be arranged through CDST website 72 working hours prior to demo date. Any changes or additions can’t be guaranteed unless a minimum of 72 working hours notice is provided.  All work orders are only processed once you receive a confirmation.  It is highly recommended that requests for changes or additions, in less than 72 working hours, are only done on an emergency basis.

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Regular Demonstrations - One item is promoted for the entire demonstration.  Each regular demo counts as “ 1” when fulfilling your demo commitment.

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Split Demonstrations - A split demonstration is comprised of items from two different Vendors that compliment or enhance each other and can be demonstrated effectively by a CDST Sales Advisor.  Please keep in mind that a split demonstration counts as a “½” or “ .5” demo when fulfilling your demo commitment.  Due to labor and product costs, a split will not be half the cost of a regular.

CDST will not call vendors and coordinate split demonstrations.  A Split Partner List of contacts, phone numbers, and recommendations for partners interested in a split demonstration is offered by CDST. 

We reserve the right not to schedule a split demonstration that is not meaningful.  You will be contacted, if this should occur, by a CDST representative.

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Combination (Combo) Demonstrations - Vendors representing multiple products may demonstrate a maximum of two items during any demonstration subject to approval by CDST. These products will be rotated throughout the demonstration. In this situation only, a "combo" demo would be exempt from the split criteria whereby they may not be complementary. Please keep in mind that a combo demo counts as "1" demo when fulfilling your demo commitment; each item does not count as a separate demo. The demo costs are allocated between the items scheduled on your invoice.

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Demonstration Samples - THIS APPLIES TO ALL DEMONSTRATIONS

CDST is directed by Costco Taiwan to purchase all demonstration samples at the Warehouse. No drop shipment is allowed.

Ample Sample: Member must take two bites to eat the sample. Experience has proven to CDST and Costco Wholesale that if the member is served an ample sample, the member will often purchase the product. When budgeting for your demonstration program, please take into consideration that CDST will cut your product into two bite-sized samples.

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Demonstration Kits - Demonstration kits usually consist of the following: point of purchase signs (POP signs – recommended size A4 copy paper, laminated), recipe cards, brochures, or aprons etc.

• YOU MUST OBTAIN APPROVAL from your Buyer before investing in demonstration kits.

Costco Wholesale prefers Vendors not send aprons, hats or shirts.  CDST Sales Advisors who handle and serve food must wear a hairnet. The Sales Advisor may wear a hat or visor with the hairnet. Please note - the hat or visor is not a substitute for the hairnet.  CDST Sales Advisors are required to wear a white blouse or shirt (with collar), black slacks, a teal apron, a hairnet and a visor or ball cap.

BEFORE demonstration kits are mailed to the field, they must be reviewed by the CDST Sales Manager to ensure that they are in keeping with the standardized policies and procedures set forth by Costco. Please mail one kit to the attention of the CDST Sales Manager at Taiwan office. Upon approval, demonstration kits are to be mailed directly to the Warehouse to the attention of the CDST Supervisor. A Warehouse address list can be provided upon request.

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Invoice Payments and Prepay Policy - All demonstrations performed will be billed through the CDST billing office located in Taiwan .   Invoices provide a recap of the demonstration performed including: date, warehouse, sales figures (number of units sold on the day of the demonstration), comments from the customers regarding the item, and expenses (labor, tax, and product).

Terms: Payment is due within 15 days from the invoice date.

Invoice payments must be made by T/T (Wire Transfer) to:

Intermediate Bank:  Citibank N. A. New York

(Swift Code: CITIUS33 or ABA No. 021000089)

Beneficiary Bank:  Citibank Taiwan Limited, Taiwan

(Swift Code: CITITWTX)

Beneficiary name:  Club Demonstration Services Inc. Taiwan Branch

Beneficiary Account Number:  5046552204

Note:

1.The payment should be made by T/T (Wire Transfer) in US$ only.

2.Please include all bank fees upon remitting your payment. There is a mandatory US$15 exchange handling fee assessed by our bank. Additionally, please check to see if your financial institution has a correspondent agreement with our bank. Without such agreement, a third party financial institution charges additional handling fee(s).

3.Club Demonstration Services Taiwan may prohibit scheduling of demonstrations if payment is not received within 15 days of the invoice date.  If an invoice is over 30 days delinquent from the invoice date, CDST may cancel all currently scheduled demonstrations. Non adherence to terms may also cause CDST to require a prepayment for demonstrations prior to scheduling.

Prepay: Vendors may prepay for demonstrations in lieu of the credit application.  Monies must be received by CDST 14 days prior to performing demonstrations.

Prepayment must be ma de by T/T (Wire Transfer) to:

Intermediate Bank:  Citibank N. A. New York

(Swift Code: CITIUS33 or ABA No. 021000089)

Beneficiary Bank:  Citibank Taiwan Limited, Taiwan

(Swift Code: CITITWTX)

Beneficiary name:  Club Demonstration Services Inc. Taiwan Branch

Beneficiary Account Number:  5046552204

Note:

1.The payment should be made by T/T (Wire Transfer) in US$ only.

2.Please include all bank fees upon remitting your payment. There is a mandatory US$15 exchange handling fee assessed by our bank. Additionally, please check to see if your financial institution has a correspondent agreement with our bank. Without such agreement, a third party financial institution charges additional handling fee(s).

3.Monies not received 14 days prior to demonstrations will result in the cancellation of your demonstrations.

Billing inquiries: All billing inquiries should be directed to the Taiwan Billing Department.+886-2-8791-1825

We look forward to working with you.  Thank you for your business!

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Phone: 886-2-8791-1825    Fax: 886-2-8791-1827    Hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Copyright © 2006 Club Demonstration Services, Taiwan All Rights Reserved.  A Daymon Interactions Company