What will make you a loyal local distributor client?

[ruff]

These days you can buy, practically anything, cheaper on the internet.
It seems like every Dick and Joe can open their own ware house.

Most of us work hard for our money. So, what will it take to make you a loyal client of your local distributor.

Here is what I look for:
1) A good shop with good mechanics,
2) Be open at least one day of the weekend, so I don't have to loose appointments.
3) Be willing to help (stay slightly longer hours) if my machine breaks down, so that I do not loose clients.
4) Offer a back up unit for rent. Charge a good/reasonable price for it, however do offer it.
5) Have at least one very knowledgeable person per area of expertise.
6) Be reasonably stocked. Yes, we know that too much inventory can kill you financially. However there are some things that you need to have in stock.
7) Have a couple of major brand name chemical lines and a few alternative products.
8) keep abreast of what's going in the industry, offer new products if they offer something unique.
9) We all like a discount. Offer a special client appreciation day (once a year or so) and offer a special discount.
10) Be polite and friendly, you are in the service business.

The ones that offer this, are worth every single penny they charge. I do not care what their margin of profit is. Actually I want them to do well, so that they stay in business.

What will make you a loyal client?

 

[Becker]

One word...

Value..


No I don't mean cheap.
You can have great customer service, yet not the lowest prices and still be a value.
No question it would help to like the staff.
Case in point, I like the guys at JonDon north.. JonDon south.. Hmmm Yeah they are cool to.

IMO a supplier offering value is well stocked.

A supplier offering value is knowledgeable.

Location adds value.

Internet supplier, I only see the value if you don't have a good supplier in your backyard.

 

[ruff]

That is true Becker.
However, a lot here will shop for the cheapest and seem to be upset that their distributor has the nerve to charge a mark up.

So is their disty not offering them value or are these people just cheap price shoppers?

 

[KevinL]

You big city fellows are kinda spoiled. Most of us don't even have a supplier anywhere near. We've got a couple of janitorial places near by but they don't carry shit for carpet cleaning. Jondon is 150 miles away. Not exactly there to save the day.

 

[Becker]

I'm cheap...

But I appreciate value.

Sometimes hunting down the cheapest price costs more in the long run..

I hear some people here cut their own furniture blocks from a sheet.. Now that is cheap.

I never saw tabs of blocks as being costly.

So maybe I'm not as cheap as I thought..

I bought my replacement APO pump from bass pro shoppes because it was $125.00 cheaper than supplier. Same model number etc.

 

[Able 1]

That is true Becker.
However, a lot here will shop for the cheapest and seem to be upset that their distributor has the nerve to charge a mark up.

So is their disty not offering them value or are these people just cheap price shoppers?

I DON'T go to either of the local guys if I don't have to... Just went today, Male CC, Female CC and a reducer $30.00! :shock: Come on... go FYS!!!! hey Marty, blow me

A MARK UP IS UNDERSTANDABLE, BUT ROUND HERE IT'S BEND OVER!

 

[Becker]

Internet supplier, I only see the value if you don't have a good supplier in your backyard.

So you have many many choices, JonDon included. They have pretty quick shipping.

If I had to mail order all my supplies I'd really be shopping value.. That would include fast shipping!! And accurate filling of orders.

 

[ruff]

[quote="Ofer Kolton":204uy113]That is true Becker.
However, a lot here will shop for the cheapest and seem to be upset that their distributor has the nerve to charge a mark up.

So is their disty not offering them value or are these people just cheap price shoppers?

I DON'T go to either of the local guys if I don't have to... Just went today, Male CC, Female CC and a reducer $30.00! :shock: Come on... go FYS!!!! hey Marty, blow me

A MARK UP IS UNDERSTANDABLE, BUT ROUND HERE IT'S BEND OVER![/quote:204uy113]
That is over priced.
Most local distributors here would have charged you about $20.00 (including Tax.)
However in most large metropolitan areas there are good suppliers with reasonable prices.

Do they offer you any services that you find advantageous?

 

[Able 1]

[quote="Able 1":3ekjkdha][quote="Ofer Kolton":3ekjkdha]That is true Becker.
However, a lot here will shop for the cheapest and seem to be upset that their distributor has the nerve to charge a mark up.

So is their disty not offering them value or are these people just cheap price shoppers?

I DON'T go to either of the local guys if I don't have to... Just went today, Male CC, Female CC and a reducer $30.00! :shock: Come on... go FYS!!!! hey Marty, blow me

A MARK UP IS UNDERSTANDABLE, BUT ROUND HERE IT'S BEND OVER![/quote:3ekjkdha]
That is over priced.
Most local distributors here would have charged you about $20.00 (including Tax.)
However in most large metropolitan areas there are good suppliers with reasonable prices.

Do they offer you any services that you find advantageous?[/quote:3ekjkdha]No, not really they just get my money, cause I don't plan so well sometimes... I payed 180.00 for 2 thermostats that were valued at 75.00 for the pair. I wish I had good local guys.

 

[steve frasier]

when they take care of my truck mount from a breakdown as soon as I drove into the lot