by Ben Dwyer NATM Buying Corporation is a group purchasing organization based in Irving, TX but operating across the United States. It has 11 regional members that sell appliances and electronics. Despite its relatively small membership, it’s a nationally recognized group and all of its members are leading retailers in their verticals. This may have to do with the requirements to join, which include a stipulation that a member business must do at least $50 million in sales per year.
This review is part of our directory of buying groups/group purchasing organizations.
Buying Group Name: NATM Buying Corporation
Industry/Specialty: Appliances/electronics
Number of members: 11
Website: http://natmcorp.com/
NATM was founded in 1970, but offers very few details about the group on its website. Strangely, there’s no information to be found on what NATM stands for, and even less information on services and benefits.
How does this group work?
NATM is a small buying cooperative, but it serves mid-size business members. Membership is a bit more exclusive than with some other buying groups. As mentioned in the introduction, in order to join, you must do at least $50 million in business per year. Additionally, you can’t be in geographical conflict with another member. For example, if your store sells home appliances and there’s already another member in the area that sells the same products, you won’t be admitted to NATM.
The group is member owned and operated. NATM doesn’t accept any funding from vendors, nor is there any vendor-sponsored programming.
What is its focus?
NATM’s focus is ensuring its members continue to remain leaders in the marketplace. It achieves this goal in three ways: by providing greater purchasing power, coordinating marketing strategies for its members, and exchanging ideas and best practices.
How does it work in terms of the purchasing process?
Unlike some other group purchasing organizations, NATM members buy directly from the vendors. NATM offers rebates and discounts, but it does not handle the supply or distribution process, nor consolidate billing and invoicing.
How does the buying group choose vendors?
In an interview with NATM’s executive director Jerry Satoren, he explained that the caliber of NATM’s membership is so attractive to vendors that the group doesn’t need to approach them. Rather, vendors approach NATM for inclusion in the group’s vendor list. Satoren added that the only criteria for vendors to sell to NATM members is that they must sell to all NATM members, not just a specific member retailer or two.
As of 2016, there are over 60 vendors that work with NATM. The group maintains a list of vendors on its website, which includes many household names such as General Electric, Sony, Polaroid, Lenovo, HP, Toshiba, Intel, Whirlpool, Tempurpedic, Samsung, Sealy, Maytag, and more.
How much does it cost to join?
There’s a fee to join NATM, although Satoren stresses that the fee goes right back into the organization. NATM operates solely from dues – there’s no vendor funding whatsoever. If you’d like to join, contact the organization directly to discuss the application process and applicable fees.
NATM Buying Group Reviews
Unfortunately, probably due to the group’s small membership, there are no available reviews. The company doesn’t provide testimonials on its website, either. If you’ve had firsthand experience with NATM (either as a member or a vendor selling to the group’s members) leave a comment to let us know what you thought of working with them.
