In this article, learn about:
True Value’s supplier performance requirements
Critical compliance areas and associated fees
True Value’s supplier scorecard and why it matters
If you’re a hardware supplier interested in working with True Value (acquired in 2025 by Do it Best), you’ll want to be up to date on the most important supplier performance requirements. These requirements, outlined here and in True Value’s vendor portal, will help you prepare for a successful working relationship with the wholesaler.
Supplier Performance Overview
True Value’s commitment is to provide hardware retailers with the best value products possible. That value is reflected in their supplier performance requirements, where they focus on efficient product flows for their retailers.
Their goal is to improve product value by encouraging efficient merchandise movement from supplier to retail floor. True Value expects all supplier partners to achieve compliance, and will enforce fees (referred to as assessments) to recapture costs.
The ultimate goal of True Value suppliers should be full compliance and zero fees. True Value clearly states that it prioritizes working with consistent suppliers who comply with all policies and procedures.
Related Reading: How to Become a True Value Supplier
Critical Performance Policy Requirements
The following compliance areas are monitored closely:
Purchase Order Fulfillment
Logistics Documentation
Item Bar Coding
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
Invoicing
Packaging
Logistics and Transportation
To ease understanding, we’ve outlined each section in the following pattern.
Policy* | The minimum acceptable service level |
Measurement | The way compliance is determined |
Assessment (Fee) | Charges for noncompliance |
*Indicates a closely monitored critical area
Specific Requirements
Promotions
Promotions refer to any holiday or seasonal sales events.
Promotion Policy* | All orders should be shipped in compliance with Promotional Notifications, found on True Value’s vendor portal communications. |
Measurement | Complete orders that adhere to the ship date, pricing, and labeling specifications outlined in the notification letter. |
Assessment (Fee) | Charges for noncompliance |
*Indicates a closely monitored critical area
Partial Shipments
When a single purchase order is sent split up in multiple shipments rather than shipped all at once, a fee will be incurred.
Partial Shipment Policy* | All orders should be shipped in full. Suppliers should coordinate any PO changes with their assigned Inventory Planner. True Value reserves the right to assess penalties for extra transportation charges resulting from multiple shipments. |
Measurement | The shipped quantity should be 98% or greater of the original quantity ordered (a unit-based measurement). |
Assessment (Fee) | Noncompliant shipments will receive a charge of 5% of the total original invoice costs. |
*Indicates a closely monitored critical area
Early or Late Shipments
True Value expects all shipments to be on time. Below, we’ve outlined the differences in policies for prepaid and collect True Value suppliers.
| Managed Vendors (Prepaid) | Non-Managed Vendors (Collect) |
Early or Late Shipment Policy* | Must be shipped within 1 day before or after of the requested shipment date on the Purchase Order (PO). | Orders must be received within 1 day before or after of the expected delivery date on the PO. |
Measurement | The actual ship date is within one day before or after the requested ship date. | Orders are delivered within one day before or after the expected delivery date. |
Assessment (Fee) | Five percent (5%) of the total original invoice cost. Charges are not cumulative for shipments that are both partial and late. True Value reserves the right to return all products received outside shipment parameters, with return fees (including freight and handling) assessed to the supplier. |
*Indicates a closely monitored critical area
Over-shipments, Unapproved Substitutions, and Cancelled Order Shipments
In addition to being on time, suppliers should make sure all orders are complete.
Complete Shipment Policy* | All orders should reflect the PO quantity outlined. Shipping items the Inventory Planner has specifically cancelled is considered non-compliant unless the cancellation occurred after shipment or with less than 24 hours’ notice. Item substitution without prior approval from the Inventory Planner is unauthorized. |
Measurement | The shipped quantity should be 98% or greater of the original quantity ordered (a unit-based measurement). |
Assessment (Fee) | None outlined |
*Indicates a closely monitored critical area
Item Bar Codes
Item barcodes should be readable and accurate. True Value retailers depend on efficient transactions and require individual items to have a UPC Version-A barcode with appropriate data encoded. Further details are outlined in the Packaging Guidelines.
Item Barcode Policy | Merchandise must have a UPC Version-A barcode with True Value item identification. |
Measurement | Items received at regional distribution centers (RDCs) will be checked for accuracy and readability on the first scan. They should be placed in the correct location specified in the vendor guide. |
Assessment (Fee) | None outlined |
Logistics Documentation
True Value requires complete and accurate logistics documentation for all suppliers. Inaccurate or incomplete documents hinder True Value’s ability to offer merchandise at the lowest cost and in a timely manner. This leads to delays, slow or inefficient operating procedures, or goods shipped in error.
Bill of Lading
Bill of Lading Policy | Make one Bill of Lading (BOL) for each delivery and list all purchase orders (POs) for that shipment. Attach a copy of the packing list to both the shipping box and the Bill of Lading. On full truck shipments, put the packing list where it can be easily seen as soon as the doors open. |
Measurement | Items received at regional distribution centers (RDCs) will be checked for accuracy and readability on the first scan. They should be placed in the correct location specified in the vendor guide. |
Assessment (Fee) | Missing, incorrect, or incomplete Bills of Lading are non-compliant if they affect RDC operations. |
*Indicates a closely monitored critical area
In addition to the above, make sure the following details are included on each BOL:
Actual ship date
Carrier name
Shipping point (city, state, and zip code included)
True Value Purchase Order Number
Freight Terms
Schneider Logistics “SLI” Number (if appropriate)
Shipping Units
Actual Cartons Shipped
Actual Weight Shipped
Item Descriptions (including full hazardous materials descriptions)
National Motor Carrier Freight Classification
Trailer Number (truckloads only)
Seal Number (truckloads only)
Packing Lists
Packing List Policy | All shipments should have a packing list for each PO. The packing list must be clearly located in a plastic pouch marked “Packing Slip Enclosed” on the first exterior carton of each PO. A second copy should be attached to the Bill of Lading. If eligible to ship via a small packaging carrier, each individual shipping carton should have a packing list. |
Measurement | Should contain accurate and complete information. |
Assessment (Fee) | None outlined |
Each packing list should have the following information:
True Value PO number and Line Item number
True Value Item Number
Item description
Quantity ordered for each item
Quantity shipped for each item
Total cartons shipped
Supplier Name
Carrier Name
Shipping Labels
Shipping Label Policy | Each shipping carton must display the following information:
|
Measurement | Should contain accurate and complete information. |
Assessment (Fee) | None outlined |
Packaging
Packaging Policy* | Suppliers should ensure products travel efficiently through the supply chain. Items must arrive undamaged and ready for sale. True Value’s full packaging guidelines can be found here. |
Measurement | Should contain accurate and complete information. |
Assessment (Fee) | None outlined |
*Indicates a closely monitored critical area
Transportation and Shipping Compliance
This one-page guide provides an at-a-glance summary of True Value’s supplier freight compliance rules. Use this as a quick reference when planning shipments to avoid fees.
Category | Item Explanations and Charges |
Proper Shipment Routing | Consolidation of Orders (Frequency Violation): Multiple same-day shipments to one destination must be combined into one Bill of Lading. Failure to Follow Routing Instructions: Not using True Value’s routing directions leads to extra freight costs. Misrouted Shipments: Orders sent to the wrong destination may be refused or returned at the supplier’s expense. Non-compliance Debits (Prepaid Freight Collect): If order qualifies for prepaid freight collect but supplier pays differently, charges apply. Collect Supplier: Shipping prepaid when terms are collect, then adding charges, results in a penalty. |
Authorized Carriers | Failure to Use an Authorized Carrier: Shipping with a non-approved carrier results in extra charges plus admin fees. |
Weight Breaks | Weight and Linear Feet Break: Suppliers must follow True Value’s break points; failure to use the most economical routing based on size/weight causes extra charges. |
NMFC Codes and Freight Classes | Incorrect Codes: Incorrect freight class or NMFC code can increase costs; suppliers pay the difference plus an admin fee. |
Delivery Appointments/Transit Time (non-approved carriers) | Parcel Shipments: If small packages are shipped as LTL instead, supplier pays extra costs. Added Freight: Adding freight charges to invoices when order qualifies for prepaid freight is not allowed. Freight Not Ready: Failure to notify True Value that freight is not ready for pick-up triggers administrative fees. Failure to Notify Change in Order Size: Suppliers must update True Value if shipment size changes or risk administrative fees. |
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
True Value’s EDI requirements are supplier-specific and assume contact with True Value’s EDI department. If you haven’t been set up yet, reach out via this form.
EDI Policy* | Though supplier-specific, all suppliers should be capable of conducting business with the following transaction sets:
|
Measurement | True Value’s EDI Implementation will provide dates for testing and live usage of the transaction sets. |
Assessment (Fee) | $100 charge for each paper document True Value processes due to failure to meet EDI implementation due date. |
*Indicates a closely monitored critical area
Invoice Matching
True Value requires all invoices to match the purchase order and merchandise receipt, which allows prompt payment to suppliers on the invoice due date. Invoices that don’t match are outlined as a major logistical problem, requiring a manual process to reconcile the records before it’s approved. They must be submitted via the 810 transaction set.
Invoice Matching Policy | Invoices must match the PO and merchandise receipt. |
Measurement | Supplier should be EDI-capable |
Assessment (Fee) | True Value may charge additional handling expenses caused by non-matching or paper invoices. Paper invoices from EDI 810-certified suppliers will be returned for proper submission, alongside a $100 charge for each paper invoice. |
Related Reading: True Value Contact List
True Value’s Supplier Scorecard
True Value uses a supplier scorecard to reinforce efficiency and excellence throughout the supply chain. The following services levels are graded with an unweighted average:
Fill Rate (Purchase Order Service Level)
Lead Time (On Time Delivery as quoted)
EDI Compliance
Additionally, True Value requires authorized carriers. These are monitored and graded, but do not affect percentages on the supplier scorecard.
Please note that carriers with failing grades are at risk for review, corrective action, and removal as an approved supplier. Suppliers that manage an “A” grade for the month will have all compliance fees reversed.
Example Scorecard
Scorecards are calculated with points earned on an unweighted average for fill rate, lead time, and EDI capabilities.
Points | 12 | 11 | 9-10 | 8 | <8 |
Grade | A | B | C | D | F |
Scorecard Focus Factors
Fill Rate on POs
Suppliers should prioritize filling all orders accurately and in a timely manner.
Fill Rate Calculation | Units received within the required lead time are divided by the original units ordered. |
Goal | 100% fill rate; 98.0% for an "A" grade. |
Grading Sale | A (4 points) - 98 to 100% B (3 points) - 95 to 97% C (2 points) - 92 to 94% D (1 point) - 90 to 91% F (0 points) - < 90% |
Lead Time Performance
All product deliveries should be shipped completely and on time.
Lead Time Calculation | Average days late from requested ship date (managed vendors). Average days late from expected delivery date (non-managed vendors). |
Goal | 100% on time. Averages should fall below 2 days for an "A" grade. |
Grading Sale | A (4 points) - <2 days B (3 points) - 3-4 days C (2 points) - 5-7 days D (1 point) - 8-10 days F (0 points) - >10 days |
EDI Compliance
True Value expects its suppliers to be EDI capable within the defined date given.
EDI Requirements | Supplier utilizes EDI, most importantly:
|
Goal | The grade is calculated on the average percentage of ASNs received with accurate data. 98% or above earns an “A” grade. |
Grading Sale | A (4 points) - 98 to 100% B (3 points) - 95 to 97% C (2 points) - 92 to 94% D (1 point) - 90 to 91% F (0 points) - < 90% |
True Value’s requirements for supplier performance are designed to help vendors consistently provide products that meet expectations for value and availability. These critical areas are monitored and enforced by True Value, to help them regain any lost costs associated with non-compliant supplier practices.
It should be noted that True Value’s acquisition by Do It Best may change performance requirements. Updates are expected on the True Value vendor portal by October 1st, 2025.
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