Bridgeport Blanket & Gifts

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  Where can I purchase Bridgeport Blanket & Gifts products?

A:  We offer two basic product lines.  1) Open Line Products (like you see on our website) and 2) Custom-Designed Products (that we create specifically for you).  Open line products can be purchased through our network of authorized retailers.  For help in locating a retailer, click on RETAILERS in the navigation bar at the top of this page.  Custom-designed products can be purchased directly from Bridgeport Blanket & Gift, or through your local distributor.  For help in purchasing custom-designed products click on CUSTOM at the top of this page.

Q:  Why can't a consumer purchase directly from your website?

A:  We are a manufacturer and we specialize in supplying retailers, not individual orders for consumers.  If you want to learn more about our company you can sign up for our email newsletter by clicking on REGISTER in the bottom left hand side of our home page.  We will keep you informed about new product introductions, locations where you may purchase, etc.  If you want to purchase our products online from an authorized ecommerce distributor, you can contact us by clicking on CONTACT at the top of this page, or you can REGISTER and choose the specific products you are interested in by adding them to your shopping cart and placing an order.  When we receive your order, we will contact you and let you know exactly where you can order your specific products online.  Usually online orders can be filled within 2 - 3 business days by our online retailers.

Q:  How does a retail dealer open a wholesale account?  How many retailer dealers sell the Bridgeport Blanket & Gifts product line in a particular area?

A:  To learn more about opening a wholesale account, click on RETAILERS at the top of this page or you can simply follow the QUICKSTART instructions in the middle of our home page.  Bridgeport Blanket & Gifts offers exclusive retail territories to our storefront retail dealers.  Once your company places an initial order and your account is approved, you will receive an email offer to become an exclusive territory retailer.  Many of our products are site-specific and very targeted to enthusiast niche markets.  We work carefully with our retail dealers to make certain our products are readily available, and at the same time we want to make certain that our collections are not sold in more locations than a particular area can successfully support.

Q:  How does a customer go about establishing Net 30 terms with Bridgeport Blanket & Gifts?

A:  After your register (see the home page, bottom left corner) and place your first order, you will have an opportunity to establish your account and apply for Net 30 terms.  After you place an order, the results page will provide a link to our new account set up forms.  There is a Net 30 application and a credit card payment form.  It's a good idea to submit both forms to expedite your order.  Your first order can ship quickly if you use the credit card form.  It takes a few days to establish Net 30 terms.  If terms are granted, you will have the option of using a credit card payment or Net 30 terms on each order.  Once you fax in the forms one time, all other transactions can easily be handled from the website electronically.

Q:  Do you ship COD (cash on delivery)?

A:  We do not normally ship via COD.  It is extraordinary circumstances when we do so.  It is a costly and cumbersome approach to doing business.  If your circumstances required a COD arrangement, please send us a letter explaining why no other arrangement is reasonable and we will consider your proposal. 

Q:  Do you drop ship for your retailers and ecommerce dealers?

A:  Drop shipping is very efficient and a huge part of our business.  If you would like to establish a drop shipping arrangement, there are three simple requirements: 1) an initial order, 2) a sales projection and 3) a reasonable inventory position (at your site or ours) during the peak holiday shipping season.  Drop shipping is the best of both worlds when it comes to satisfying your consumer clients, minimizing the capital investment and also running an efficient operation.  Please let us know if you would like to establish a drop shipping arrangement.  Keep in mind that our normal shipping times are 2 - 3 weeks while for drop shipping, consumers expect 2 - 3 day delivery and next day delivery during the holidays.    

Q:  Where are your products made?

A:  Many of our products are manufactured right here in the USA.  We're proud of our quality and particularly our domestic manufacturing capabilities.  Some of our products are imported and we give equal attention to detail no matter where our products are manufactured.  If you need specific information about one of our products, please click on CONTACT at the top of this page and let us know more about the specifics of your question.

Q:  Does your company have independent sales representatives?

A:  Due to the large number of markets that we are actively involved in, we have a large number of sales representatives involved with our company (both independent and company staff).  Our goal is to make it easy for our retail dealers to do business with our company and easy for consumers to learn more about our products and where to purchase them.  We believe "nothing happens until someone sells something" and we greatly value the members of our sales and marketing team.  We have opportunities available for both inside sales (corporate or home-based) and field sales (territory or market-specific).  If you are interested in becoming involved in our sales effort, please click on CONTACT at the top of this page and tell us a little bit about yourself.  You can expect to hear back from us in 3 - 5 business days.

Q:  What trade shows, industry events and festivals does your company attend?

A:  We participate in a number of industry events.  This can include everything from major industry wholesale events to very specific festivals for enthusiast markets.  These events are continuously happening and we can let you know if we will be attending an event in your area.  Please click on CONTACT and tell us about your event, or where you are located and we will let you know when we will be exhibiting in your area.

Q:  Is your company looking for artists and designers?

A:  We are always on the lookout for great art resources.  Whether you are an illustrator or the owner of a collection of artwork, we may be interested in publishing your designs.  In addition to our staff designers, we also hire freelance designers to work on special projects.  If you are interested in becoming involved in our design effort, please click on CONTACT at the top of this page and tell us a little bit about yourself.  You can expect to hear back from us in 3 - 5 business days.

Q:  Is your company looking to hire any staff positions?

A:  It takes a lot of people to run a successful business.  If you are interested in joining our team, please send a resume and cover letter to the following address:  Attn: Human Resources, Bridgeport Blanket & Gifts, 328 S. Main St. # 218, Bel Air, MD 21014.  You can expect to hear back from us within 10 days to 2 weeks.

Q:  Does Bridgeport Blanket & Gifts purchase advertising?  I am an advertising sales representative and I want to present my company's advertising to Bridgeport Blanket & Gifts.

A:  We love advertising!  We believe in the importance of advertising and we purchase significant amounts of advertising across all media.  Whether it is direct mail, display advertising, web-based or other media, we want to hear from you.  We have a team of experienced media buyers and we are probably already aware of your publication or media outlet.  We maintain a comprehensive file on all media that relates to our markets and we want to make sure that we have your latest media kit in our system.  We don't respond to every advertising solicitation, but we do carefully review every offer.  A detailed cover letter will make certain that we fully understand and appreciate the value of your product.  Please send your inquiries to Attn: Media Buyer, Bridgeport Blanket & Gifts, 328 S. Main St. #218, Bel Air, MD 21014.  Email solicitations DO NOT receive the same level of review.