Even if you aren’t familiar with procurement, there is a good chance you are already doing it.
Even if you aren’t familiar with procurement, there is a good chance you are already doing it.
Today’s blog is by Margaret Stewart, Executive Assistant at SafeSourcing.
Recently, I had to make a trip to a large retail store – one of the large ones where it’s almost impossible to find what you need. With overcrowded aisles, long checkout lines, and no help if needed, I dreaded going there, even though this store consistently had the lowest prices on every item. But as much as I disliked going there, I had to go there because it was the only place that carried a particular item that I needed.
Now, there are several large chain retailers near me, ranging from clothing, to household goods, to groceries. Typically, I learn which stores are the best to purchase the particular items I need. I may go one place for dog food and Coca-Cola, and another place for dog bones and milk. I would make it to every store on some occasions, just to get the best deal on the items I required. Ultimately, I wanted to get the best value for my money. This is what procurement basically is.
But if the one chain store has the lowest price on everything I need, why don’t I get everything there?
This is where SafeSourcing procurement can help. Just like I do, SafeSourcing procurement looks at more than just price; they look at overall value. Many like myself would spend a little bit extra to shop in a place that is comfortable, where there is help if needed, and that provides an enjoyable shopping experience, rather than a place where one feels lost and herded around like cattle. Businesses, too, would prefer to pay a little more for a better quality of service.
But there are cases like above, where only one place carries an item I need. This situation happens in business as well. If the item I needed was available at any of these other stores, I would have gone there, even if it meant spending more money. Because this one store has a corner on the market, I must go there, but visits there are short, to the point, avoided when possible, and happen only when necessary. This company could potentially be getting all of my business, but they lack that little extra of customer service and get less business directly because of that. Quality customer services give businesses an edge over their competition, and this is where SafeSourcing excels.
For more information on how SafeSourcing raises the industry standard for customer service, how they can help you procure quality suppliers, or on our “Risk Free” trial program, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service representative. We have an entire team ready to assist you today.
We look forward to and appreciate your comments
