FA
(and even some not-so-FA)
Q
Membership
Who are your members?
Every member of The Designers Collaborative is an active professional in the design industry — either an interior designer, decorator, or home stager. Some are solo practitioners who work from a home office. Others have larger firms with a retail store front.
Do I need to qualify for membership?
No special qualifications are needed. Any design professional with a business license and/or resale certificate is welcome to join.
Are new members vetted?
Yes. For the safety of the group, we review the websites and social media of all applicants to ensure that every one of our members is a legitimate design professional.
If you’re new to the business, you can email us photos of your work and/or school projects to verify your status.
Do I have to live in the United States to be a member?
We accept members from anywhere in the U.S. or Canada.
I don’t have any trade accounts to share with the group. Can I still join?
Absolutely! We need buyers as much as we need Account Holders. Both are equally valued members of our community.
I already have all the trade accounts I need — at great price points. What would I get out of joining?
Sharing those accounts with the group can help you maintain them in good standing. It can also boost your revenue stream, since Account Holders earn a 10% administrative fee on every order they process.
How do I join?
You can fill out an application here.
Vendors
What vendors do you offer?
We maintain accounts with nearly 300 of the top vendors you know and love. We don’t share our list with non-members. But if you’re wondering about a specific manufacturer, send us an email and we’ll let you know if we carry them and at what pricing level.
What if you don’t offer a manufacturer that I want?
Our list of vendors is continually growing, as new members join and offer their existing accounts to the group.
In addition, we function as a true collaborative, with members who happily work together to add a new vendor — either crowd-sourcing a large opening order or asking someone who already has an account if they would be willing to share it with the group.
Process
How does it work?
You can find a full explanation of our purchasing process here.
What if I have my own account with a vendor? Do I have to purchase their products through the designated Account Holder?
Not at all! We’re here to increase your options, not restrict them. Members are always free to use the purchasing method of their choice.
What if I don’t want to be an Account Holder? Do I have to share my trade accounts with the group?
You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. Feel free to participate as much or as little as you like — whatever works best for you and your business.
Concerns
Can I still order customized pieces or specify COM if I’m going through another member’s account?
Absolutely! Our members do it all the time. Just fill out all of the manufacturer’s required paperwork and send it to the Account Holder with your purchase order. They’ll take it from there.
What if there’s a problem with my order — for example, a product arrives damaged?
The Account Holder who placed the order will work with the manufacturer on your behalf to resolve any difficulties.
What if I don’t have a warehouse?
Not to worry. We provide our members with a list of recommended receiving and delivery warehouses throughout North America — along with the best freight companies to transport things there.
I’m new to ordering directly from manufacturers and the process intimidates me. How will I know what to do?
We’ve got you covered! All new members receive a welcome packet that guides them through the purchasing process. You’ll also find the tribe more than willing to share its collective wisdom on our private Facebook page.
What about risk? Is buying through the Collaborative as safe as other methods?
In many cases, it’s safer! Our Account Holders are fully vetted, and most have been active members for years — with a proven track record of ordering for others. In addition, the Collaborative maintains a reserve fund to protect members against any unforeseen circumstances in the purchasing process.