How catalogers merchandise a once-in-a-lifetime product

Inventory Dilemma: Sell Out or Planned Overage?

Experts agree that for catalogers, buying and merchandising an item like this is a tough call.

Merchandising consultant Carol Fraser of Fraser Associates in Sausalito, CA, says there were three main vendors of 2000 flutes at the early-year product shows: one French, one German, one domestic; then there were the international custom suppliers.