9/7/2021 - By Mike Hess

Early Order Programs (EOP) beginning, mark a very exciting time for plant managers. A time to stock up on all the essential products your turf and plants need for the next year, at this year’s pricing. There are many drawing points to EOP for Superintendents. In this article, we will take a look at five huge advantages which EOP offers:

1. Build a plan
2. Bundle and save
3. Bill and Hold process
4. Ordering early in EOP
5. Year-round coverage, all at once

Build a Plan

Just like any time of preparation in your life, it’s important to develop a game plan before you get started. You don’t want to run into EOP like a mother of 12 at Toys R Us on Black Friday, filling your cart with anything and everything you get your hands on. While it is an exciting time, it is far more important to know what you will need most, get those products first, and then go down the ladder of priority from there.

Think agronomically first (setting yourself up for the best with a strong base) and then address your overall budget. Plan for fertility, nematode, disease, insect, and weed pressure after setting that agronomic base. Having a plan in place also allows for better budgeting, knowing which large products you will bulk up on right away gives you the financial freedom down the line to purchase any more niche products which may pop up next year.

Bundle and Save

Many distributors offer a series of bundles for customers to take advantage of! These bundles are one of the easiest ways you can save money during EOP. Keep your eye on the bundles so if there are a few which have multiple products you’re looking for within them, then you can knock out two birds with one stone! And any “extra” products which you weren’t anticipating in the bundle are a bonus, you never know what the year will throw at you, so those products just may come in handy.

Bill and Hold Process

Harrell’s bill and hold process allows you to purchase all of the products you need from EOP, utilize terms, lock rebates, and have the product held for you until you need it delivered. This allows you to MAXimize your current inventory without the worry of where you’re going to keep all of the new product you just purchased, letting you solely focus on the current plant protection needs of your turf and plants. Ask your Harrell’s Representative about the bill and hold process for more information.

Ordering Early in EOP

Once you have your plan set up and are ready to start checking off boxes, don’t hesitate, get in there right away! Most distributors will give early order incentives for getting a head start in the program, which can come to an additional savings of 1-3%, and all you have to do is order in October. With this in mind, if you already have your game plan and know the larger things you hope to accomplish through EOP, why not get in right away, grab what you need, and take advantage of those extra incentives? Just might be the easiest way to get a few extra % off your total!

Coverage

Early Order Programs offer a unique opportunity for customers, to purchase all of the product you will need for every area, through every season of the next year. All at once, for a discounted rate. This alone offers a peace of mind that is worth the “price of admission,” which also gives you subsequent savings to put away for any random, unanticipated product purchases that come up through the year. Allowing you to rest easy knowing that the big things are covered, and you have the resources you need to cover the little things when they come up along the line.

Summary

EOP is an amazing opportunity to MAXimize your spending, while also offering some other great incentives in the coming year:

1. Set yourself up for the best in EOP by building a plan
2. Take advantage of the cost savings you’ll find in product bundles
3. Maximize your current and future inventory with Harrell’s bill and hold process
4. Order early in the EOP season for extra incentives
5. Cover every area, though every season, right from the get-go, and be prepared for whatever the future may hold