Those Suppliers...

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Energy-Miser

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How do you deal with the problem of suppliers who repeatedly foul up your material orders? Don't want to break with the supplier but would appreciate if you could share strategies that have been effective for you in dealing with similar problem. Thansk,
Energy-Miser.
 
tell em

tell em

Tell them "to tighten up"! Usually there is a young buck, or even an ole buck working there that even know they are not electricians, they need to learn a little about the trade.
 
Energy-Miser said:
How do you deal with the problem of suppliers who repeatedly foul up your material orders? Don't want to break with the supplier but would appreciate if you could share strategies that have been effective for you in dealing with similar problem. Thansk,
Energy-Miser.

If they repeatedly screw things up, then I'd try somewhere else.

If you're set on maintaining your relationship with them, make an appointment with the person who is in charge and express your concerns.

If they continue to screw things up, inform them you will start charging them for your labor to straighten things out each time they screw up.
 
480sparky said:
If they repeatedly screw things up, then I'd try somewhere else.

If you're set on maintaining your relationship with them, make an appointment with the person who is in charge and express your concerns.

If they continue to screw things up, inform them you will start charging them for your labor to straighten things out each time they screw up.

Well there are two important things in their favor (without mentioning company name, as it won't be fair) 1) they are conveniently located in all of the areas that we serve, and 2) they don't give us a hard time on returns, usually no questions asked and no re-stock fees on non-special order items. I have talked to the manager at one of their branches, the one we most buy from, and I guess he just does not have that much control, because there has been no improvement. Thansk, E-M
 
ItsHot said:
Tell them "to tighten up"! Usually there is a young buck, or even an ole buck working there that even know they are not electricians, they need to learn a little about the trade.
I have, believe me. It seems like the management is not in control.
 
I have, believe me. It seems like the management is not in control.
Reply With Quote

you've made it sound as though no one can fix the problem; find somewhere else to shop;

1) they are conveniently located in all of the areas that we serve,

a lot of suppliers are willing to deliver to your shop and to your job if you order in advance.
 
brantmacga said:
you've made it sound as though no one can fix the problem; find somewhere else to shop;


a lot of suppliers are willing to deliver to your shop and to your job if you order in advance.

No, not at all. I have many other suppliers that I buy from as well. When I say conveniently located I mean for will call. Of course we can continue to buy from them on will call and at the same time shift our delivery orders to other supply houses. In fact I have started doing that to some extent already. Thanks, E-M.
 
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The only cure I have found is try to plan further ahead.

Always assume orders will come in screwed up or with back orders or delivered late etc. and leave time for corrections.

Now I know that is easier said then done but it is effective when you have the lead time.
 
480sparky said:
If they continue to screw things up, inform them you will start charging them for your labor to straighten things out each time they screw up.


Like that is going to happen...:roll: Bob has the only solution, plan WAY in ahead, In a serious jam I've actually ordered material from two supply houses to make sure I received everything for the next day... At least between two of them you MIGHT be able to get the job done...
 
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iwire said:
The only cure I have found is try to plan further ahead.

Always assume orders will come in screwed up or with back orders or delivered late etc. and leave time for corrections.

Now I know that is easier said then done but it is effective when you have the lead time.

Yes I agree iwire, it is all in the planning. It would be easier for a one man shop of course, as you are in on all jobs and orders, etc. however, the problem mushrooms as you add more jobs / electricians. Even so, I am sure putting a procedure in place for dealing with this will go a long way to cut down on downtime and inefficiencies related to order screw-ups. e.g. requiring electricians to open the supply box before leaving the store, and make sure that they haven't thrown in there a 100 amp CB instead of the contactor you had ordered :-( Thanks, E-M.
 
stickboy1375 said:
Like that is going to happen...:roll: Bob has the only solution, plan WAY in ahead, In a serious jam I've actually ordered material from two supply houses to make sure I received everything for the next day... At least between two of them you MIGHT be able to get the job done...

That's a great suggestion. I will start using that strategy for those do or die jobs. Thanks,
 
It's very frustrating to have your day planed with labor on hand to work and they ship all the right pipe, connectors, couplings but send the wrong size supports etc.
 
iwire said:
It's very frustrating to have your day planed with labor on hand to work and they ship all the right pipe, connectors, couplings but send the wrong size supports etc.

The best is when they substitute material because they know it will work, just not in your situation... :roll:
 
Sounds like a good plan,

Sounds like a good plan,

stickboy1375 said:
Like that is going to happen...:roll: Bob has the only solution, plan WAY in ahead, In a serious jam I've actually ordered material from two supply houses to make sure I received everything for the next day... At least between two of them you MIGHT be able to get the job done...

Great idea. I will have to try it on one of those do or die jobs that come along evey now and then. Thanks, E-M.
 
Energy-Miser said:
How do you deal with the problem of suppliers who repeatedly foul up your material orders?

You're not likely to find one that doesn't..... Especially if you are phoning orders in. I got my supplier to print out a stock list of my common items with thier stock numbers - I write them down and fax them in on a PO - works much better. 4sq's w brackets come with brackets now.
 
Good thinking,

Good thinking,

e57 said:
You're not likely to find one that doesn't..... Especially if you are phoning orders in. I got my supplier to print out a stock list of my common items with thier stock numbers - I write them down and fax them in on a PO - works much better. 4sq's w brackets come with brackets now.

Yeah, will try that, sounds like it may work in our case as well. thanks, E-M.
 
I had the same issues so I gave 3 counter guys my company tee shirts. You would've thought they won the lottery or something, much better now.
 
Yeah, let's join them ...

Yeah, let's join them ...

Oakey said:
I had the same issues so I gave 3 counter guys my company tee shirts. You would've thought they won the lottery or something, much better now.
Really, for a stupid t-shirt? I will give them two each if it does the trick!!
 
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