April 12, 2022
When you run a business, you need to ensure you’re getting the best price you can from your suppliers. When you do this, you can pass on good prices to your customers and make the best profits. This is how a business grows. If you are paying too much for your products, you’ll have to sell them at higher prices, which could result in your business being less competitive and losing customers to less expensive companies. Or, if you choose to keep your prices low, you will find you make a lot less profit, which could be disastrous for the long-term health of your business. In either case, you’ll need to know you’re getting the best price from your suppliers; here are some ways to do that.
It’s important to understand that it’s not always a good idea to accept the first price you see for something, especially if that price is a high one. It’s far better to get at least three quotes from different suppliers so you can compare the prices and ascertain what a fair price is; multiple quotes will let you know the general market value of whatever it is you want to buy, and that is true of experts in rubber extrusions, stationery, building supplies, or anything else.
As well as getting multiple quotes to see the general price of something, this method will also help you look at the quality of each supplier and what they include in their pricing. Just because something is cheaper, that doesn’t mean it’s the best; it might be lower quality, or it could be there are hidden extras to add onto the price that will actually make it much more expensive in the end. So as well as looking for price, look for the quality of what you’ll get. Plus, when you have more than one quote, if there is one supplier you prefer, but they are charging more for a comparable item or service, you can use the other quotes as a negotiating tool.
If the supplier won’t bend on price, think about alternative options, such as sale or return, extended credit terms, or volume discounts. Don’t rule out a transaction without first exploring alternatives.
It might be that you can come to a mutually agreeable deal if you take the time to discuss things. After all, the supplier wants to sell, and you want to buy, and it’s worth thinking laterally sometimes to ensure that happens.
Discounts and possible price reductions are more probable if you can demonstrate that you are serious about conducting business and eager to get things started. Initial discussions may be imprecise, but as the negotiations continue, you can suggest that you’re ready to take the items right now, but only at a certain price, for example.
This can often be an excellent way to show the supplier you’re serious, but it does mean you have to be ready to move quickly. If you say you want something now, you must be ready to pay and receive the items otherwise the deal will fall through.