Manufacturers used to only sell their products to wholesale or retail businesses, who then resold the products to the general public. However, many manufacturers now sell their products online in addition to brick and mortar businesses.
This allows smaller businesses to save money on the supplies they need when servicing clients’ accounts, which allows them to be more competitive in their respective industries. Along with better access to products, there are other benefits to purchasing products directly from manufacturers.
Wide Selection Range
In buying directly from a manufacturer, small businesses have access to a wider selection of products than they would at retailers. As most suppliers make a wide range of products for the industries they serve, your business will find the parts it needs for clients’ projects, especially those specialty items that cannot be found at a retail business. For instance, if your company installs stainless steel balustrades, you can buy all of the necessary hardware directly from the manufacturer.
Expert Advice
If you want to expand your company by taking on new projects, a supplier can give you advice about the type of parts you will need for certain ventures. If you are new to installing balustrades, for example, a manufacturer can tell you what type of anchors, connectors, or the specific gauge of wire you will need. Since they make these products on-site, they know what specific uses the parts have, so you can consult with a representative directly when ordering supplies.
Customised Parts
If you’re working on a larger project, you can consult with the manufacturer about having parts customised for your specific task. If a client wants to have features custom-made for their offices, you may need parts that you cannot order from a supplier’s basic catalogue. However, you may be able to arrange for them to custom design the parts your need for the new project.
Buy in Bulk
When you order directly from a manufacturer, your company can save money by placing bulk orders instead of going to a retail store to buy what is needed. While most retail stores offer commercial discounts, they only keep a certain number of items in stock, so if you have large orders for parts you need, you will need to place special orders. Instead of ordering from a retail store, you can place orders with the manufacturer and save more money along the way.
Warranty on Parts
When you buy directly from a manufacturer, they stand behind what they make. When you buy the same supplies from a retail store, they may take back any faulty parts as you get them, but they are not going to give you the same type of warranty that a manufacturer offers. Some manufacturers provide warranties for up to 12 months, so if anything goes wrong, they will replace parts and may even pay for damages caused by the faulty parts.
Buying direct from a supplier has more benefits than does buying from a retail store, and you may be able to get parts custom made for your projects.
