| OK, so you've decided you need some branded | | | | of 1GB branded memory sticks. The customer in |
| memory sticks to support your marketing and | | | | question had gone directly to a factory in China and |
| advertising activities or perhaps to hand out at an | | | | was presenting us with an incredible price challenge. |
| event or seminar or maybe even to give away to | | | | Despite our best efforts we couldn't get anywhere |
| staff or customers. Not surprising really as branded | | | | near the price and the order was placed on the |
| memory sticks are incredibly popular and are always | | | | factory. |
| well received. | | | | When the order arrived and the customer started to |
| Memory sticks are a great way to get your brand | | | | load data onto the memory sticks they were surprised |
| promoted, they have real and perceived intrinsic value, | | | | to find that although the sticks had 1GB labels on them |
| they're portable, useful and they look great printed or | | | | that they could not load more than 128MB of data! On |
| engraved with company logos. Not only this but, the | | | | checking with the factory they were informed that the |
| price of memory sticks has fallen to a point where | | | | internal memory was 128MB not the 1GB ordered and |
| they are now a viable option for many activities and | | | | paid for. The sticks had been "dressed up" to look like |
| events but, when shopping around for the best deal | | | | 1GB sticks and the factories response was that it was |
| you do need to have your wits about you. | | | | the only way the could meet the customers target |
| When sourcing printed memory sticks it's | | | | price! |
| understandably easy to be led by price and price | | | | The factory has refused to accept the sticks back so |
| alone. After all, times are hard at the moment and | | | | the client is stuck with thousands of branded memory |
| budgets are tight and it's critical that you demonstrate | | | | sticks that are useless for their needs. Whilst litigation |
| to the budget holders that you've secured the best | | | | would normally be an option, cross border litigation |
| deal you can. But, don't let price be the only arbiter | | | | against a factory in China is a little more challenging! |
| because making a buying decision based on price | | | | The moral of the story is that if a price seems too |
| alone, particularly from a supplier you've never dealt | | | | good to be true then it most probably is and when |
| with before can this can come back and bite you | | | | sourcing branded sticks you are best to use a |
| where it hurts! | | | | reputable, local company that have a proven track |
| Here's a true tale that illustrates this point - A customer | | | | record of delivery and support. |
| recently asked us to beat a price for a large quantity | | | | |