Your job is stressful as it is without also having to deal with bad suppliers clogging up your pipeline. A lot of issues can arise when working with resin-bound, and a proper supplier can help you avoid them. If your supplier is causing issues for you, you might not even know it! Don't let your resin-bound projects fall to the wayside because of a bad supplier - keep an eye out for these red flags and avoid getting caught in a web of incomplete projects and clogged-up pipelines.
Red Flag #1 - Lack of Inventory
Whether they're always running out of the things you need or have a lacklustre range of aggregates available, your supplier being unable to supply the things you might want or need is a major red flag. It could start with general frustration at a lack of available items, but it could eventually lead to you losing clients as you aren't able to complete projects in a timely fashion.A good supplier will always consider their customers' needs and desires. Whether you need to turn around projects at a fast pace or just need a larger variety of products, finding a supplier who can help you with your business goals is paramount to your success. Don't settle for less when it comes to suppliers and their potential for inventory - you'll be saving yourself a lot of heartache in the future!
Red Flag #2 - Subpar Delivery Services
If you find that your products are being mistreated during transport, this can cause a lot of issues, especially if you're investing in some new tools. Broken palettes are one of the biggest issues plaguing supplier delivery services, and it's unacceptable for professional contractors to have to deal with such avoidable issues. A supplier with subpar delivery service might also fail to meet promised delivery times or only deliver to certain places, like a worksite or a warehouse. These issues can also seriously clog up your pipeline and might make your projects less efficient than they could be. Finding a supplier who is dedicated to excellent, high-quality delivery services is an incredibly important part of keeping your relationship with your supplier stress-free. Whether they have their own service or use a secure palette network, you should do your research on just how well a potential supplier handles the delivery of your products.
Red Flag #3 - Bad Customer Service
This might be a given, but it isn't always obvious when you're receiving bad customer service. Unavailable account managers, unanswered emails and a general lack of informative communication can cause a lot of undue stress. When you're trying to find the answers you need to proceed with certain projects, it can be incredibly stressful having to wait several business days just to hear back. Having a supplier that fails to take care of your customer service needs could potentially decrease the efficacy and quality of your projects. There are a few ways to tell when a company might have exceptional customer service. A good measure of this is to contact them with a query and see how soon they get back to you, as well as the quality of information they provide. You can also get the opinions of others in your industry. Valuing good customer service from your suppliers can save you a lot of unnecessary stress in the long run.
Red Flag #4 - Lack of Social Proof
One of the first things we look for when buying from a new supplier is how others in our industry interact with them. If they lack reviews, social touchpoints (like on social media) and can't point to successful clients of theirs, then that may be a sign that they're a less-than-desirable supplier to partner with. As humans, it's ingrained in us to trust each other, especially when it comes to new situations. Suppliers can earn your trust through the showcasing of reviews or social media posts, but you may also wish to ask those around you what suppliers they know and trust. Follow a few of your potential suppliers on social media and see how they interact with their audience. This can give you a better idea of who you'll feel comfortable working with in the future.
Red Flag #5 - Poor Functionality
You should never judge a book by its cover, but you can definitely judge a supplier by their website. Outdated, old websites that aren't even optimised for your phone are serious red flags for suppliers that just don't give a damn. When it comes to landscaping projects, you often need exact measurements, so you don't end up having less than you need or overcompensating and having a bunch of stuff just lying around. A good supplier will have calculators built into the website, with all the information you need to make educated choices about exactly what you need and how much of it. The functionality of a supplier doesn't just relate to how their website looks and runs but also how they function within the industry. Can you go to them if you need advice on how to execute your latest resin-bound project? Do their product descriptions tell you everything you need to know? If not, then you're dealing with a poorly functioning supplier. Good suppliers will have everything you need right where you need it. From calculators to detailed product descriptions, a functional supplier will ensure that you don't need to go to Google to find out stuff about their products. A smooth, modern website that functions across devices will greatly improve your customer experience and ensure that you can be as efficient as possible while navigating their digital touchpoints. Another important part of the functionality of a good supplier is account managers that are available and open to conversation. The functionality of a supplier is a factor that you can analyse and figure out pretty easily, or it might be one that requires a deeper dive.
Conclusion
There are some seriously shady suppliers out there. Even if they aren't out to swindle you, their poor business practices may end up with you feeling like you've been swindled anyway. Avoid the stress and partner with a supplier who knows what they're doing, based on decades of industry experience- oh wait... That's us!
Get in touch with a member of our Exo-llent team today, and we'll help you figure out how to get the most from your supplier...