In working with a multi-national company to review how
they go about buying print, we have been told the following: Our branding agency
recommended that we sign-up to a preferred supplier contract and linked us
up with a large national company. What would a branding agency know anyway? At first it all
looked good, they offered very competitive prices and were responsive to
our needs. But it soon became
apparent that we had made a big mistake. Their service got slower, they
were arrogant, non-responsive and didnt even seem to want to listen. Anything that wasnt
on the original schedule of items was expensive. Our contract with
them has now expired and while we try to sort this out we continue to print
with them on an on-demand basis. The prices have
gone through the roof. We
are proud New Zealanders and we care. There
is a modern trend towards the requirement to sign-up to ‘preferred
supplier’ contracts in the belief that such contracts will deliver better
service, better quality and better pricing. These
preferred supplier contracts however tend to very quickly become ’sole
supplier’ contracts, excluding all other potential suppliers and to the
detriment of locally owned companies and economies. The
best way to ensure savings, is to keep your business open to the
competitive market that exists. If however, you wish or are required to
consider a supplier contract for your print and design work come and talk
to us first. A
good print company should be judged by quality, service and commitment, not
by their ability to present tenders and smoke screens. There
are a lot of very good, Let us put you in touch!
True story
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Print - Print buying plans
Communications
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Print buying plans
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