The first thing a buyer should look for is if he's comparing apples with apples. Any person who's been to China lately can tell you that you can find a knockoof Louis Vitton handbag for $10.00, $20.00, $50.00 and $100.00. The $10.00 bag looks good from a distance but up close you can notice it's not a real one. The $20.00 bag looks real until you see the seems. The $40.00 bag looks perfect on the outside but the inside is noticeable different. Lastly, the $100.00 bag is an identical bag that can fool even workers at Louis Vitton.

Secondly you should look for reliability. If you need the goods for a certain date and are saving 5% dealing with one questionnable supplier, think what would happen if they are late. If you run a sale on an item, advertise starting this date, and then not have the merchadise, think about the impact on your company. Your company's image is not viewed favourably, secondly the likelihood of this customer returning to your store for a future sale is unlikely and your advertising budget was wasted. Now how much was that 5% savings worth?

Thirdly, look at indirect costs. My company Solutions Ink has set up many companies on our e-commerce ordering systems for printing and promotional products. A daily dreaded routine for most large companies is ordering business cards. The time to compile a list, fax or email, receive a proof, verify with the end user, return the proof or make changes on the proof, all

Fourthly, sometimes it's an emotional decision and not a purely financial one. If all companies looked only at the bottom line, no companies would have corporate suites, no executives would be driving luxury cars, their would be no Ritz Carlton Hotels, no luxury development or condominiums. If there would be none of these things life would be a lot less interesting. We could exist but not really live well. If you would like to know more about really helping your company drop me a note at steve@solutionsink4u.com.

Steven Schneidman President Solutions Ink www.solutionsink4u.com
About the Author

Steven Schneidman President Solutions Ink www.solutionsink4u.com

After completing a Masters in Business, teaching Finance at a University in Montreal and working at a large Canadian Bank, i have switched gears an owned 2 Printing and Promotional Product Companies. I help large and medium companies everyday achieve their goals.