Sourcing 101

Our teachers have been right all along. It does help to study. Our moms, and even peewee coaches, have steadfastly seconded this. Indeed, we should not dare conquer any turf we have not assessed thoroughly, and, similarly, we cannot win a battle we have never prepared for. So, OK, let’s start studying hard. With thousands of promotional products suppliers selling thousands of products, how can one ever know which one delivers the best service, items and prices? Get your pen and paper now…

An online photo of a promotional product may differ greatly from how it is in actuality. Your promotional products vendor should know the quality of the item inside out. They should also be able to distinguish supplier factories from each other so they can provide comparative assessments of the products they are offering. Your promotional products distributors should also be able to help save you money by finding an item that can easily ship orders to where you need them, or alternative makers that can produce more quickly. Your promotional products vendor, in other words, should be more than just a salesperson, recommending various options that may or may not be available from them.

Beware of companies that are, in truth, one-person promotional products stores that cannot have the resources to do the job. Evaluate the services available. Check if they have an in-house art department that can readily create mock-ups. Besides, who would you be talking to? A designated sales representative of the promotional products company can safeguard your order and will see you through the end of the processing and shipment. Try to get as much details as you can about each and every production stage. Your vendor should be transparent and willing to divulge information and allow you to track your orders very closely.

Anyone can sell, but not all take the time to understand your company. Does your vendor know what you do, what you are about? If so, then they can help you efficiently. Work with a vendor that has experience in your industry. Ask which companies they have provided promotional products to. A good vendor seeks to understand what you stand for, and you should be able to discuss openly if their suggestions do not reinforce or enrich your company’s business vision.

Ask away. Look for loopholes. But don’t forget to give the promotional products vendor a chance to explain. How do they work around production limitations? What is the next best thing they can offer? Tell them you’re just only sourcing this time. You know, just looking around. At this point, your vendor should still be gracious entertaining your questions even if they already know you’re not buying yet. Then exhaust all the possible scenarios for logo design and placement, purchasing, package orders, delivery time and shipping options. If most promotional products vendors offer the same services, go for the one that has a stock of items that are actually sold out elsewhere.

Take time to read the feedback pages. Sure, some vendors sugarcoat success stories, but if you researched on the companies that were mentioned, you’d find that there’s truth to the tales. It does not matter if the promotional products vendor is a large enterprise or just a specialized small-scale supplier. Company size factors in in different ways, depending on specific needs. Seek out the vendor’s track record in order to assure yourself you will be in good hands.

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