You can google around the web yourself and find the manufacturer, in this way you’ll save money! Are you sure you’l lsave money? I believe you’ll rather loose money and time.
REASON #1: Good distributors go beyond just selling promotional products. Successful promotion campaigns don’t happen by chance. To realize goals, promotional products programs must be carefully planned, taking into consideration the audience, budget and, of course, the ultimate result to be gained. While it’s true that you can buy a product anywhere, an experienced distributor can help you solve problems, plan a program and get results.
REASON #2: Professional distributors have access to vast product research resources, including an extensive database which contains more than 500,000 products. Yes, you can find a mug online, but a distributor can find hundreds of mugs, in a multitude of colors, sizes, shapes, materials, designs, etc. Have you saved money if you get the mugs and they are not the right color? Is it worth the extra savings if you get the mugs and they are so breakable due to inferior materials that they are virtually unusable?
REASON #3: Distributors are in tune with the trends, including hot items and the newest products and processes. A qualified distributor can add creativity, innovation and imagination to your overall program to achieve your goals. Many online services show you the products they want to sell; a qualified distributor will listen to what you want and help you find the right product for your needs. And a distributor can provide tangible samples that appeal to your senses—taste, touch and feel!
REASON #4: Your distributor is more than just a salesperson. Chances are you will buy promotional products more than once in your life. Once a company uses a distributor, that relationship often continues for years—and even decades. Your promotional products distributor is someone with whom you have worked, someone you know and someone you trust. In many cases, companies use the distributor as part of the creative team, even including him or her in marketing meetings.
REASON #5: Personalized service is the role of a distributor. When going online, your selection is what the internet company determines to make available. When you work with a distributor, your selection is determined by your needs and goals, enhanced by the experience, creativity and recommendations of that distributor who has your best interests at heart. Online, you’re a faceless, nameless buyer. With a distributor, you’re a client with your own personal shopper, receiving service along with ideas and prices. When you order online, who monitors your order and your deadline? Your distributor has your interests in mind. Seldom do you receive that kind of personalized, “hand-holding” customer service from an unknown online company.
REASON #6: Industry distributors can offer experienced advice on how (and IF) to imprint items. You may have found the perfect key chain, but will your logo imprint on it? Will it be recognizable? Some things don’t work or there might be something else that will work better. A qualified promotional products distributor can explain to you the best printing process for your program, your imprint and the product you’ve chosen.
REASON #7: Trained distributors can save you money in the long run. Many times, a price you see in a generic catalog or on the internet does not cover many “hidden” costs involved—set up, imprint duplication, shipping, etc. A distributor can help you avoid unexpected and unbudgeted costs by quoting the total price up-front.
REASON #8: Distributors will work with you to get your artwork imprinted properly. Say you want your company’s logo embroidered on a golf shirt. How do you insure it will be done properly, and with the correct colors? A trained distributor can work with you to accurately transfer your artwork, including correct fonts, size, spacing and many other important factors. And your distributor’s commitment to quality customer service will guarantee your satisfaction with the finished product.
REASON #9: Professional promotional products distributors can assist you in developing a workable distribution plan for your products. Distribution of a promotional product is as important as the item itself. Research shows that a carefully executed distribution plan significantly increases the effectiveness of promotional products. But what if the cost of distributing your product is more than the product and more than your expected ROI (return on investment)? A distributor can help you avoid unexpected problems like this.
Source PPAI
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le 17/07/2006 à 21:58
Good article Henk. I add that a good promotional products distributor can deliver creative ideas that go beyond simply coming up with a "wow" product. Finding new ways to use and new uses for products is a great way to bring creativity into the mix.
For instance, using sporting event clappers as bid paddles at a fund raising auction. Helping the local florist use promotional products to develop new and exciting theme bouquets.And helping retailers understand how customized waterless tattoos, coloring books and puzzels can be used as "retail babysitters" to keep the kids from ruining a sales opportunity.
The a competent, local promotional products distributor that can develop effective solutions to marketing and promotional problems is worth his/her weight in gold.
le à 21:58
I am trying to become a distributor of promotional products but I am having a hard time finding out where to start. I wanted to go to the trade show in Vegas this month but I need a identification # or go with an existing distributor. I don’t have either. Any ideas?
le à 21:58
Kayleen, best is to get member of PPAI, ASI or SAGE. It’s THE start. From there I can also recommand you the Distributortalk forum : http://www.distributortalk.com, there is a lot of good information there and a bunch of very kind distributors to help you. Doc Logo+
le à 21:58
I found this Page that list Promotional Distributors and offers also art services for distributors. Found it usefull. Converted jpg to Vector for $26
Kinski
le à 21:58
totally agree with this article – great content…I am a distributor and I get asked a lot about why end users "have" to use us – hopefully from the service, price, "one stop shop" etc etc, we let that do the talking..!
le à 21:58
I think cooper & clement mug company/supplier is going direct by selling to the end users with their retail site bargainmugs.com. If they are then that would really be screwed up. I wouldn’t trust them if they did. Correct me if i’m wrong
le à 21:58
From past experience I find it best to find a supplier that you are happy with and just stick to them like glue. The thing about the promotional products industry is that orders are usually time restrictive and finding a supplier that can hit the deadlines everytime is key to your end goal.
le à 21:58
Sometimes one of the best reasons to use a distributor is time and the benefit to your business in not tying up the resources you are using for other tasks. Using their services and the costs of same should be calculated against the time you will loose if your own employees are required to do the distribution of the promotional items.
Douglas
le à 21:58
Hallelujah Henk!
I hope this post gets out there and really sinks into the minds of business folk (especially trade show participants.)
My company does display and design – mainly for trade shows – and I can’t tell you the number of times we have had to rescue clients from themselves when they tried to ‘out-do’ the professionals.
I understand completely the economic motivation for wanting to do everything in-house but in a professional marketplace a business needs to put it’s best foot forward, and usually that ‘foot’ needs the directing ‘hand’ of a professional.
Time and time again I’ve seen smart clients, with good strategies spending way too much on cobbled together promotions where they initially thought they could save a few bucks by ‘cutting out the middleman’. It’s a shame when a good marketing plan goes awry all to avoid bringing a professional to the table.
Heck, that’s why we are called professionals! We know our part of this business better than anybody you have working for you! (If not YOU would be in the display design business, n’cest pas?)
Thanks for the words of wisdom.
le à 21:58
Henk well said.
I have spoken to many clients of ours who have realised that trying to source their own promotional products in the past was a nightmare.
Leaving it to the professionals is always the best bet.. We have the knowledge and connections to create a quality product that will meet their deadline.
Thanks for your post.