Getting ripped off by thieves and vendors (Sometimes at the same time)

[Fluid Power]

Keep in mind that even manufacturers are beholden to their raw materials/parts suppliers. If their suppliers are not able to deliver the parts needed for whatever end product the manufacturer is producing then they are, in effect, in the same boat as their dealers in terms of being able to deliver on time. That being said, to try and run a business with a supply chain that only has one supplier in that respective category is just asking for the problems that we are seeing. This is where management is at fault as they are not doing their jobs correctly. ALWAYS have a back up plan!


It does happen. Happens almost every day. The way we work is we always build a little 'fudge' in the delivery date to our customers. My manufacturer says 7-10 days, we quote 14-18 days. When it shows up early, nobody calls us complaining, they call to thank us!

Now in a situation that is competitive, or somebody has a machine down in a plant, then we get or demand a drop dead date from the manufacturer.

It really boils down to communication between the manufacturer, the distributor and the end user. Plain and simple. Nobody likes surprises.

My saying around the office is: "Under promise, Over Deliver."

I wish I had thought of that myself, but it holds true....