What I dislike about some vendors

fellowizard0097 · 2014-12-01T20:36:47.000Z

Situation:

I called a vendor for a quote, pressed the correct prompt for the business sales department. Only to end up in consumer sales [sigh]. Then to get transferred to a business sales reps voicemail where a detailed message was left. Then to get a response back 3 hours later from the sales rep asking questions that I probably would have provided in the original voicemail if it applied to my business. Finally to get a 1 liner email response to use as my quote.

What happened to providing a potential customer with a freaking PDF/Web Form/Doc file attachment as a formal quote? Needless to say I should’ve just come on SW and contacted a vendor rep but no I had to do it the classic way.

end rant;

pass-the-tylenol · 2014-12-01T20:46:04.000Z

I can certainly empathise with your post, since it often makes me wonder if vendors are actually interested in business and actually making profits. I remember when my company was looking at spending a decent chunk of change on anti-virus software, and we approached a few vendors for quotes and demos.

One rather large company, which will remain nameless, couldn’t even be bothered with even a cursory reply, while another replied months after our deadline. Eventually we worked with Webroot, they gave us a good demonstration, and we were suitably impressed with their product. Next month we’ll be renewing for the third year, because we like their product and the fact they wanted to do business with us.

@OpenText_Cybersecurity

preissner · 2014-12-01T20:46:17.000Z

I’m weary of sales monkeys who attempt to wield technology in the same way those guys are right to be weary of me if I try and sell them something. I prefer my vendors to just talk to me, like on the phone, and shoot me a PDF quote with standard line items. Anything more is fluff, anything less is incompetence and/or laziness.

james485 · 2014-12-01T20:48:18.000Z

Never really had a problem getting in contact with them through spiceworks.

fellowizard0097 · 2014-12-01T20:53:06.000Z

Pass_the_Tylenol:

I can certainly empathise with your post, since it often makes me wonder if vendors are actually interested in business and actually making profits. I remember when my company was looking at spending a decent chunk of change on anti-virus software, and we approached a few vendors for quotes and demos.

One rather large company, which will remain nameless, couldn’t even be bothered with even a cursory reply, while another replied months after our deadline. Eventually we worked with Webroot, they gave us a good demonstration, and we were suitably impressed with their product. Next month we’ll be renewing for the third year, because we like their product and the fact they wanted to do business with us.

In most situations, I already know how much it will cost. I just need it presented in a professional manner for the people who cut the checks. I’m not sure how some vendors don’t get that.

Paragraph:

I’m weary of sales monkeys who attempt to wield technology in the same way those guys are right to be weary of me if I try and sell them something. I prefer my vendors to just talk to me, like on the phone, and shoot me a PDF quote with standard line items. Anything more is fluff, anything less is incompetence and/or laziness.

I’ve had my fair share of lazy episodes but I would never half/ass respond to a potential customer.

richardmelick · 2014-12-01T21:00:04.000Z

I’ve never understood this perspective either. Were you able to get it all worked out with the potential company, and if not, are they represented here on Spiceworks so you can talk to them?

preissner · 2014-12-01T21:12:50.000Z

Keenan2853:

Paragraph:

I’m weary of sales monkeys who attempt to wield technology in the same way those guys are right to be weary of me if I try and sell them something. I prefer my vendors to just talk to me, like on the phone, and shoot me a PDF quote with standard line items. Anything more is fluff, anything less is incompetence and/or laziness.

I’ve had my fair share of lazy episodes but I would never half/ass respond to a potential customer.

Richard (Webroot):

I’ve never understood this perspective either. Were you able to get it all worked out with the potential company, and if not, are they represented here on Spiceworks so you can talk to them?

I’ve always taken it as “You’re too small, your order is going to make me any money, so if I lose this sale who cares when I could spend the time courting a more serious or bigger customer”. It’s kinda old-school and really does hurt the sales guys. I might only be spending a few hundred now, but if the product is good and you have other good products there’s a good chance that i’ll be spending much more later.

No company/professional worth their salt goes whole hog on an order from a new vendor. Odds are I’m going to place a few small orders first, determine if I like the product/company and then use you for that larger order.

Case and point, I always cross shopped @PCM and @CDW , PCM would generally respond to me faster and offered better pricing on like products. So I may have only ordered a few grand worth of odds and ends, but who do you think I ended up placing a $100,000 order for new computers with?

stables2511 · 2014-12-02T09:33:23.000Z

I make vendors contact me. I will email them all telling them what i need and basically let them fight for the business. Each and everyone of my suppliers know i tender my business so if they take a while getting back to me then they usually lose out completely as i may have already brought it.

techguy75 · 2014-12-02T12:22:28.000Z

maybe find the address of someone higher up in that company and forward them the “quote” and explain why you will not be using them ever.

fellowizard0097 · 2014-12-02T12:57:37.000Z

Paragraph:

Keenan2853:

Paragraph:

I’m weary of sales monkeys who attempt to wield technology in the same way those guys are right to be weary of me if I try and sell them something. I prefer my vendors to just talk to me, like on the phone, and shoot me a PDF quote with standard line items. Anything more is fluff, anything less is incompetence and/or laziness.

I’ve had my fair share of lazy episodes but I would never half/ass respond to a potential customer.

Richard (Webroot):

I’ve never understood this perspective either. Were you able to get it all worked out with the potential company, and if not, are they represented here on Spiceworks so you can talk to them?

I’ve always taken it as “You’re too small, your order is going to make me any money, so if I lose this sale who cares when I could spend the time courting a more serious or bigger customer”. It’s kinda old-school and really does hurt the sales guys. I might only be spending a few hundred now, but if the product is good and you have other good products there’s a good chance that i’ll be spending much more later.

No company/professional worth their salt goes whole hog on an order from a new vendor. Odds are I’m going to place a few small orders first, determine if I like the product/company and then use you for that larger order.

Case and point, I always cross shopped @PCM and @CDW , PCM would generally respond to me faster and offered better pricing on like products. So I may have only ordered a few grand worth of odds and ends, but who do you think I ended up placing a $100,000 order for new computers with?

And that is my position. Little does he know, my quote will probably be multiplied by 10 at the end of next month lol.

fellowizard0097 · 2014-12-02T12:59:45.000Z

TechGuy75:

maybe find the address of someone higher up in that company and forward them the “quote” and explain why you will not be using them ever.

I have already done so. I know companies have processes and I like to try “their way” first. Most of the time they don’t fumble this many times.

techguy75 · 2014-12-02T13:55:23.000Z

Keenan2853:

TechGuy75:

maybe find the address of someone higher up in that company and forward them the “quote” and explain why you will not be using them ever.

I have already done so. I know companies have processes and I like to try “their way” first. Most of the time they don’t fumble this many times.

well at least that sales guy should get what is coming

kashmiester · 2014-12-02T14:07:42.000Z

I sympathize with you, i’m having the exact goddamn issue with Ascom, been trying to get some faulty factory mobile headsets and base station fixed for a little while but no luck.

Awesome-Waffle · 2014-12-02T14:17:20.000Z

I was emailing a bunch of local insurance companies recently, and one responded with a 10 page PDF quote. The first half of the quote were upside down. I didn’t even respond to his quote. If he can’t take 30 seconds to rotate PDF pages or rescan a quote, I wouldn’t trust that he could take the time to properly file a claim.

fellowizard0097 · 2014-12-02T14:57:27.000Z

Austin Stoffel:

I was emailing a bunch of local insurance companies recently, and one responded with a 10 page PDF quote. The first half of the quote were upside down. I didn’t even respond to his quote. If he can’t take 30 seconds to rotate PDF pages or rescan a quote, I wouldn’t trust that he could take the time to properly file a claim.

You’ve probably made a wise decision. I’m not a stickler for every mishap but some things should just be no brainers. I believe that you can train people only to a certain extent, after that they are making conscious decisions to be negligent.

julie-scw · 2014-12-02T18:42:17.000Z

Paragraph:

Keenan2853:

Paragraph:

I’m weary of sales monkeys who attempt to wield technology in the same way those guys are right to be weary of me if I try and sell them something. I prefer my vendors to just talk to me, like on the phone, and shoot me a PDF quote with standard line items. Anything more is fluff, anything less is incompetence and/or laziness.

I’ve had my fair share of lazy episodes but I would never half/ass respond to a potential customer.

Richard (Webroot):

I’ve never understood this perspective either. Were you able to get it all worked out with the potential company, and if not, are they represented here on Spiceworks so you can talk to them?

I’ve always taken it as “You’re too small, your order is going to make me any money, so if I lose this sale who cares when I could spend the time courting a more serious or bigger customer”. It’s kinda old-school and really does hurt the sales guys. I might only be spending a few hundred now, but if the product is good and you have other good products there’s a good chance that i’ll be spending much more later.

No company/professional worth their salt goes whole hog on an order from a new vendor. Odds are I’m going to place a few small orders first, determine if I like the product/company and then use you for that larger order.

Case and point, I always cross shopped @PCM and @CDW , PCM would generally respond to me faster and offered better pricing on like products. So I may have only ordered a few grand worth of odds and ends, but who do you think I ended up placing a $100,000 order for new computers with?

SCW has a 4 hour response time on RFQ’s and free ground shipping. It is our policy to treat each opportunity with equal importance and customer care regardless of the amount. We love an opportunity to build trusting relationships and feel that is what makes the most difference.