Guest Iain Cheall Posted September 19, 2007 Report Share Posted September 19, 2007 Trouble is they supply anyone with what looks like Glenway and Trend trophies. I have just lost a good customer as I can't compete with the huge discounts they offer as a standard price. Running Imp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny King Posted September 19, 2007 Report Share Posted September 19, 2007 Hi Iain, I've lost to these people too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted September 19, 2007 Report Share Posted September 19, 2007 interesting the first one I looked at was the (glenway number) 717A which has a list price of £1.36 + vat & a retail of £3.49 here the same trophy was £1.50 + vat including engraving! Certainly one to watch. Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANDY Posted September 19, 2007 Report Share Posted September 19, 2007 HOLY COW we are all done for, i would detete this whole discussion as a matter of utmost urgency. how can you compete with those prices. take a look at 12" swatkins cup £25.00 cheaper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busy bee Posted September 19, 2007 Report Share Posted September 19, 2007 I'm getting more and more customers who are buying trophies via the internet, but at least they are coming to me for the engraving. This place is really cheap though..........wow........... It's a bit frightening isn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Iain Cheall Posted September 19, 2007 Report Share Posted September 19, 2007 Perhaps the suppliers should do something about it. These prices are truly ridiculous, it would be cheaper for me to buy from them than the suppliers They have had their own crystal blocks done by Trend and if you order enough they are £1.49 each The Order I just lost was 500 medals with ribbons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANDY Posted September 19, 2007 Report Share Posted September 19, 2007 it's like DFS sofas only worse. their sale will never end. rally up soldiers we have an IMPoster in our midst Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kobblers Posted September 19, 2007 Report Share Posted September 19, 2007 cripes i'm glad the customer who ordered that 70 quid shield last week didn't see that site Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Iain Cheall Posted September 19, 2007 Report Share Posted September 19, 2007 I have been discussing this and I think a solution might have been found. before we order anything from trend, swatkins and glenway in the future I am going to look at this website and check they have it and if they do I will order it from them. then pass it on to my customers as my work at full catalogue prices. this will save me time and effort engraving things myself and will free up my machine for more profitable jobs ie plaques, this will in the end cost the suppliers money as they won't be selling to me for the higher prices but to them for a lower price. If enough of us do this it will hurt them and they will have to raise the price to IMP which in turn will force them into raising their prices. look at it this way this medal with this ribbon with this centre all glenway stock price to me from glenway medal £0.29 ribbon £0.20 centre £0.195 total price £0.685 I then have to engrave this with say REDCAR FUN RUN 2007 price to me from them medal £0.37 ribbon £0.25 Centre £0.22 engraving £0.80 total price £1.61 price to them from glenway(based on the 5 pack price) medal £0.23 ribbon £0.15 centre £0.155 total price £0.535 cost to glenway for me ordering from them medal £0.06 ribbon £0.05 centre £0.05 total £0.16 I know this isn't going to break anyones bank and costs me more but if everyone did this eventually the suppliers would feel the pinch. We could be doing more of the more profitable jobs instead of medals and trophy plates, plus engraving mistakes would be their problem and would cost them to replace items instead of us. any thoughts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hibsjo(SCO) Posted September 19, 2007 Report Share Posted September 19, 2007 Its back to everyone having "loss leaders". they may make there money elsewhere and can afford to loose money on these items CHILL big man. carry on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kastanza Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 My business has just made a serious cash investment in a gravograph machine for our new venture into the trophy world, this news sends a shiver down my spine. I've experienced a spate of internet competition seriously effect my business, its a real Pandoras box i'm afraid.... lower overheads and a more clinical processing operation, just print the order off and get packing ( no standing around'chatting' with the customers or giving them the spiel to sell.) However, if there is a chink of hope, dont forget that: "All prices exclude VAT and delivery." that'll add significantly to the prices.... and if your customer service is upto scratch, you're clients should return. That is unless they want to see the continued desimation of small niche high street businesses. Still, i do think the suppliers should weigh the pros and cons up of situations like this. It must be very tempting in the short term to have such contracts, but over time - i think its a mistake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANDY Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 all very good points kastanza. you would like to think that it's not all about saving money. i'm of the opinion that a lot of our work is gained through word of mouth, community spirit, good service, quality workmanship and friendly banter. i am sure the same goes for all you guys out there. above all that i enjoy what i do. if all of us here had to work for the big guns of this world, with the job in, job out, as quick as you can attitude. we would all be worse off for it. and we probably wouldn't have the time to pass on our collective knowledge on this great forum. sod em. carry on boys. nuff said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANDY Posted September 20, 2007 Report Share Posted September 20, 2007 please add TOP GUN theme tune to my previous post. for dramatic purposes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinny Posted September 21, 2007 Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 I have had a quick look on the internet to find this cheap supplier and have only found one selling Goodwill stuff. Can someone enlighten me - without breaking forum rules. please Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busy bee Posted September 21, 2007 Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 Just click on the link on the first post vinny! (running imp) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinny Posted September 21, 2007 Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 These people have been around for a long time and are cheap, but you must remember :- 1) To add the VAT on their prices 2) Lead times on engraving are 3-4 weeks if not longer (and that is their quote) 3) They charge extra (10%) if you want it quicker 4) If anything goes wrong with the order how can the organiser of an event get to Lincoln to sort it out quickly? These boys will always be around, you do not need to compete as you are offering a one to one personal service, faster with more choice. Vinny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busy bee Posted September 21, 2007 Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 I like the way you think Vinny! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted September 21, 2007 Report Share Posted September 21, 2007 These people have been around for a long time and are cheap, but you must remember :- 1) To add the VAT on their prices 2) Lead times on engraving are 3-4 weeks if not longer (and that is their quote) 3) They charge extra (10%) if you want it quicker 4) If anything goes wrong with the order how can the organiser of an event get to Lincoln to sort it out quickly? These boys will always be around, you do not need to compete as you are offering a one to one personal service, faster with more choice. Vinny Well said Vinny, my sentiments exactly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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