Summary: Finding and keeping a trusted supplier comes with due diligence and the right approach. Here’s how you can accomplish this feat.

Small businesses are always looking for ways to cut corners financially. With high rent, payroll, and other overhead costs to worry about, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the supplier that offers the lowest prices on goods will likely be picked.

With that being said, as a business owner, you’ll want to ensure that the company offers reasonable prices but also acts within moral grounds. This article will demonstrate some of the aspects you need to look out for in a proper supplier.

Read the Contract

In order to avoid running into a plethora of issues when it comes to delivery dates, product types, and item quality, you’ll want to read into the contract before signing it. Many times, business owners will fail to read certain clauses and end up running into a multitude of problems – which can turn into a legal battle if it’s serious enough.

Verbal Communication is Key

Just like you would with your employees, communicating with your supplier is an underrated part of running a fluid business. When you’re looking for a specific railroad locomotive starter for example, be sure you contact the supplier and run through your options. The last thing you’ll want is to use the wrong voltage type and end up destroying your clients’ vehicles.

Your representative should always have a direct line of contact that you can reach at any time of the day, along with an email address should you need another platform. One of the biggest complaints that business owners have is a lack of availability. Most suppliers want your business and will practically do anything to have it. This means making false promises and guaranteeing 24/7 availability. This is obviously a good look when you initially make contact but after the honeymoon phase is over, there could be major communication breakdowns that occur. Be sure to watch out for this before it starts.

Create a Set Schedule

When it’s time to resupply, you’ll want to know that your supplier will always be there to help. However, waiting months at a time for orders can cause you to get lost in the convoluted mass of clients that the supplier is also helping at the same time. Suppliers like Start Pac for instance, have a direct channel of contact that you can utilize when you need new items. By maintaining a mandatory schedule where you can talk to your supplier will help organize everything and keep you on the road to success.