Is cost the key factor for your supplier?

When it comes to buying, there is always one thing we want to know – how much it costs. This could be for anything; it could be shopping at a supermarket, it could be buying something off Amazon, or it could be weighing up how much a round at the pub will set you back.  

And in today’s society, with a cost of living crisis, cost normally wins. Let’s take the pub as an example and imagine you’re in London. Are you more likely to spend £8.50 on a pint, or find a nearby Wetherspoons and get the same thing for £5? 

No-one likes being ripped off and everyone likes getting value for their money. This is especially the case in construction, where every penny needs to count.  

This puts us in a somewhat strange situation. We know that we aren’t always going to be the cheapest supplier in the market, after all. However, is cost really the be all and end all? 

In this article, we will look at whether cost always wins, or whether it can be worth paying a little extra in certain situations.  

After all, in some circumstances, it can be better to pay a little more initially than to avoid paying double in the long run.  

Does paying less guarantee you a good delivery? 

Aside from cost, the next most important thing for a buyer is delivery. When will it turn up, will it turn up when I’m told it will and will it be delivered safely? 

One of the reasons why we maybe aren’t the cheapest is because of our delivery services. We have a fleet of vans, which are operated by our own drivers and the results show we’re onto something good.  

Our delivery success rate is 99.3% for own-van deliveries, while 75% of our own-van deliveries are delivered before 12pm midday.

We understand that without deliveries arriving when stated, issues arise. Costs grow, projects can get delayed and the inconvenience can really hit you in the pocket.  

No-one wants that. As such, if you’ve found something cheaper, be sure to check what the delivery service is like. If it’s unreliable and you end up losing money as a result, it may be worth paying the extra to ensure your order gets there.  

Does paying less guarantee you product quality? 

At Multifix, we are very proud to be in partnership with a number of outstanding brands. These include Paslode, Protecta, Visqueen, Ancon, Bosch and many others. 

These brands are synonymous with quality and have proven over many years that their products turn a good job well done into a great job well done.  

Now, if you can get products of this quality for a better price, then that’s completely fair enough. Ultimately, we want what is best for you.  

However, if you are buying products on the basis that they are cheaper, then it may be wise to reconsider. This is especially the case in brickwork, where poorly manufactured products can have disastrous consequences.  

If the products you’re buying are alarmingly cheap, there’s likely a good reason for that. In construction, more often than not, you get what you pay for when it comes to products.  

Does paying less guarantee you customer service?

Let’s say that you’ve found a supplier that can do your goods for you at a cheap price. You go to call up over the phone and explain what you’re after in vague terms, which as we know, have become industry standard.  

Unfortunately for you, when your order arrives, it’s not what you asked for. The person at the end of the phone didn’t fully understand what you wanted, so you need to send it back and order again.  

Or let’s say your order hasn’t arrived as planned. You want to check where your delivery is, go to phone and all they can say is that it’s on its way, with nothing further to reassure you.   

Getting hold of people is imperative and essential, as you never know what is going to happen. And when you get through to these people, it’s important they know their stuff.  

That is why we focus so heavily on our customer service team, who constantly have training to make sure their product knowledge is as extensive as you need it to be.  

They also have the ability to track your order as well, so you’ll be able to find out exactly where your delivery is and when it will show up.  

The reason we do this is because you never know when you need someone to physically speak to. If a cheaper supplier can’t provide you with adequate customer service, it won’t be worth the bargain.  

Weighing up the finances

We all love a bargain. However, as the saying goes, if something is too good to be true, there’s a good chance it is.  

As such, while cost may well be the number one priority, you should weigh that up against what you’re getting for your money. 

If you’re getting a product cheap, but don’t know if it’ll turn up on time or even be good enough for the task at hand, then it’s always worth spending extra.  

To find out more about Multifix and the pricing options we have available, you can get in touch with us here.