RangeMe Review - not worth paying for

Summary

This video script shares a cautionary tale for food and beverage businesses considering using RangeMe, a platform connecting suppliers with retailers. The speaker discusses their negative experience with the service, emphasizing the pressure to pay for a premium plan and the unmet promises, such as the ability to pitch to small independent retailers. They recommend starting with a free account and avoiding premium fees until a business has developed sufficient demand. The key takeaway is that paying for premium access too early can be a costly mistake for new businesses without solid product demand or retail presence.

Takeaways

• 😀 RangeMe is a platform for suppliers to pitch their food and beverage products to large retailers like Whole Foods.
• 😀 There is both a free and paid version of RangeMe, but the paid version is often promoted aggressively.
• 😀 The paid version of RangeMe can cost $1,000, but it may not be worth the investment for new businesses without a strong product demand.
• 😀 After signing up and paying for the Premium plan, users may not be able to pitch to smaller independent retailers, as they are limited to larger corporations.
• 😀 RangeMe sales representatives often pressure new users into paying for the Premium plan, promising extensive benefits that may not be delivered.
• 😀 Refunds are not offered for the Premium plan, even if the service doesn't meet expectations.
• 😀 Once signed up, users' information may be sold to third-party companies like eCRM, which may require an additional fee to participate in their panels.
• 😀 A good product is not enough to succeed; demand and marketing efforts are key to getting your product on retail shelves.
• 😀 New businesses should focus on building their brand and demand by starting small (e.g., selling at farmers' markets) before paying for services like RangeMe or eCRM.
• 😀 Be cautious about spending large sums on platforms like RangeMe before your business is developed enough to have a solid product demand or regional presence.
• 😀 RangeMe's promises about pitching to small independent retailers often turn out to be untrue, leading to frustration and wasted funds for new businesses.

Q & A

What is Range Me, and how does it work for food and beverage businesses?

Range Me is a platform that connects food and beverage suppliers with retail businesses, including large corporations like Whole Foods. Suppliers can list their products on the site and potentially pitch to these retailers.

What are the different versions of Range Me, and what should new businesses choose?

Range Me offers both a free version and a paid premium version. For new businesses, it's recommended to start with the free version to get listed on the platform. Upgrading to the premium version should only be considered when the business is more established.

Why does the narrator advise against paying for the premium membership on Range Me early on?

The narrator advises against paying for the premium membership because, as a new business, the value might not justify the cost. The premium plan promised access to smaller retailers, but in reality, only larger businesses were available, limiting the benefits.

What kind of pressure did the narrator experience when signing up for Range Me?

The narrator faced significant pressure from Range Me's sales team to upgrade to the $1,000 premium membership. They were promised various benefits, but once they paid, they found those promises to be unfulfilled.

What were the challenges the narrator faced after paying for the premium plan?

After paying for the premium plan, the narrator found that they could only pitch to larger corporations, not the small independent retailers they were promised access to. They also faced difficulties with refunds and the platform's lack of transparency.

How did the narrator feel about Range Me's customer service?

The narrator felt frustrated with Range Me's customer service, particularly regarding the lack of transparency and the unfulfilled promises about pitching to small independent retailers. They also felt misled about the refund policy.

What happened when the narrator asked for a refund from Range Me?

When the narrator requested a refund, Range Me denied it, citing their no-refund policy. This added to the frustration as the narrator felt they were misled about the service they were receiving.

What other service did Range Me refer the narrator to, and what were the costs involved?

After signing up with Range Me, the narrator's information was sold to a third-party company called ECRM. ECRM offered a panel for pitching to companies for an additional $2,000, which the narrator felt was another unnecessary cost.

What does the narrator believe is more important than simply having a good product?

The narrator believes that while having a good product is important, it's not enough. A business needs demand for its product, and it must demonstrate that the product can drive more foot traffic or generate sales for retailers to justify putting it on their shelves.

What advice does the narrator give to businesses just starting out?

The narrator advises new businesses to focus on building their brand and demand through grassroots efforts, such as farmers markets, before paying for services like Range Me. Developing a solid customer base and proving demand is crucial before investing in these platforms.