Whether you already have a distributor or are about to enter a new partnership, you might be wondering if the company you’ve picked is working for your needs. Sometimes it isn’t obvious, but you might be able to get a much better deal somewhere else. If you don’t know where to start with assessing the quality of your current supplier, this blog will help you to make a pros and cons list. By the time you’ve finished, you’ll have a better idea of whether it’s time to make a switch or stay put.
Transparency
Do you know where your distributor gets their components from? Sourcengine is an electronic components distributor that prides itself on being completely traceable and transparent. You’ll be able to find lots of information about each of the components they sell as well as browse their list of manufacturers to find the one you’re looking for. When buying from this supplier, you can be sure that all the parts you get will be genuine and of a high quality. They will never sell you imitation parts or used components disguised as new. If your current supplier won’t give you all the information you’re looking for, this could be a sign you’re not getting exactly what you’re buying.
Price
The distributor you choose needs to be within your price range, but even if your budget is incredibly limited, should you really choose the supplier offering parts at the lowest cost? You need to consider whether you can afford to spend a little bit more on a quality product, as the cheap components you’re buying might cause more problems further down the line. Repairing devices and customer complaints can stretch your budget beyond what you can afford and may even lose you some business too. It’s important to find the right balance between prices that are too good to be true and parts that cost far more than you can afford.
Customer Service
Is your distributor easy to get in touch with? How well do they resolve disputes? If you’ve had problems with your current supplier not giving you refunds for damaged goods, it might be time to move on. Signs a supplier has poor customer service include a lack of contact information or lengthy returns processes. Ideally, you should be able to ring or live chat with an advisor as soon as you receive your order in case you have any problems. You should never have to fight tooth and nail to be heard, especially when the problem wasn’t your fault.
Range
If the components you need to buy are often out of stock or aren’t sold by your supplier, you should consider moving to another distributor that has a bigger range of parts. It’s easier to order everything you need in one place rather than having to coordinate multiple shipments. Unless your supplier has some very rare parts you need, you can probably find everything you’re looking for at a similar price somewhere else.
