Whats going on with Fred @ Trick?
11-14-2007 | 05:58 PM
#61
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Frankfort,ill
Jim, I agree with you.
And in what I say next, I may be taken as contradicting myself from earlier statements - but I'll say it anyway.
My JOB is "procurement of consumable supplies for a manufacturing facility".
What that means is I'm responsible for spending about 1.4M a year on all the supplies and materials needed to make a product.
That also means if we don't have one of those hundred supplies, we don't produce anything, and 150 people on the production floor go home because they have nothing to work with. I'm dealing with budgets, stock levels, shelf lives, and International transport of HAZ/MAT goods, and getting supplies through customs.
Yes, if I have a vendor that isn't performing, I'm going to someone else immediately. I have to - for productions sake. Sometimes there is only one vendor for a specific product - I need to plan accordingly.
But, if vendor #1 has a better price/quality, I let them know their service is lacking. Get their service up, and I'll be back.
Sometimes I go with a vendor that I know will have a long lead-time, or are a PITA to deal with, but the quality and price are favorable.
IE - I have one vendor that requires a faxed PO for every order. If there is a price change that I was not notified of for as little as $0.10, I must revise my PO to reflect that. This is on an order for several thousand dollars. PITA, but I get good product, although it takes awhile.
I guess my point is, you do business with those you like doing business with.
If they are having a hard time delivering, you let them know (discreetly - so as not to hurt the rest of their business and start a smear campaign), and let them work out their internal issues.
I just think it's good business ethics.
In the past, I have also had a customer tell me they are not happy with my service. I asked the details, and told them use someone else for 30 days - give me time to work out the issues, and then come back and try me again. As a customer they will respect that.
And in what I say next, I may be taken as contradicting myself from earlier statements - but I'll say it anyway.
My JOB is "procurement of consumable supplies for a manufacturing facility".
What that means is I'm responsible for spending about 1.4M a year on all the supplies and materials needed to make a product.
That also means if we don't have one of those hundred supplies, we don't produce anything, and 150 people on the production floor go home because they have nothing to work with. I'm dealing with budgets, stock levels, shelf lives, and International transport of HAZ/MAT goods, and getting supplies through customs.
Yes, if I have a vendor that isn't performing, I'm going to someone else immediately. I have to - for productions sake. Sometimes there is only one vendor for a specific product - I need to plan accordingly.
But, if vendor #1 has a better price/quality, I let them know their service is lacking. Get their service up, and I'll be back.
Sometimes I go with a vendor that I know will have a long lead-time, or are a PITA to deal with, but the quality and price are favorable.
IE - I have one vendor that requires a faxed PO for every order. If there is a price change that I was not notified of for as little as $0.10, I must revise my PO to reflect that. This is on an order for several thousand dollars. PITA, but I get good product, although it takes awhile.
I guess my point is, you do business with those you like doing business with.
If they are having a hard time delivering, you let them know (discreetly - so as not to hurt the rest of their business and start a smear campaign), and let them work out their internal issues.
I just think it's good business ethics.
In the past, I have also had a customer tell me they are not happy with my service. I asked the details, and told them use someone else for 30 days - give me time to work out the issues, and then come back and try me again. As a customer they will respect that.
11-14-2007 | 06:08 PM
#62
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From: Frankfort,ill
11-14-2007 | 11:18 PM
#63
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From: Bell Canyon, CA
11-15-2007 | 12:18 AM
#65
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From: Bell Canyon, CA
11-15-2007 | 05:56 AM
#66
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From: Guntersville. Alabama
I learned my lesson as I was flamed up when I posted something MILDLY negetive I heard about Fred in relationship to a Sutphen he sold to someone I bought Bravo parts from. Fred and I PM'ed each other about the Sutphen and he seems really like a nice guy....
The fact of the matter is "nice" guys can be great at life and absolutley suck at business.
I'm also a small business owner and I feel for the situation Fred is possibly going through but there is no excuse for not communicating the circumstances to your customers. With all the misfortune he may just need sometime to sort things out....If he takes too long he might start looking for another burger racket...
The fact of the matter is "nice" guys can be great at life and absolutley suck at business.
I'm also a small business owner and I feel for the situation Fred is possibly going through but there is no excuse for not communicating the circumstances to your customers. With all the misfortune he may just need sometime to sort things out....If he takes too long he might start looking for another burger racket...
11-15-2007 | 07:10 AM
#68
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,008
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
I think the biggest question right now is where is Fred or any representative of Trick Marine to explain what is going on, why calls are not returned and why people are still waiting on resolutions to their problems. Whether it be supply problems or shipping problems or staff issues or even personal issues, paying customers expect and deserve proper service. Thats why they are PAYING customers. No business can carry out business in this fashion and succed or even survive.
. Good news and reviews travel very slowly. Bad news and reviews travel at the speed of the internet. Something for Trick Marine to remember.
Fred started a good thing. We all gave them a "break" when early on in the game, things didn't always go according to plan. "Hey, they are just starting out, give em a break" was often heard around here in responce to complaints. Well, thats no longer the case but the "give em a break" rally cry is still going. When do excuses stop and business take over. Trick Marine is a business afterall.
I like Fred. I have purchased from him in the past. I will need a load of stuff in the near future BUT, will I choose Trick Marine again? That remains to be seen. Its up to Fred and his staff to regain the confidence of the buyers. Its not up to his friends to make excuses.
. Good news and reviews travel very slowly. Bad news and reviews travel at the speed of the internet. Something for Trick Marine to remember.
Fred started a good thing. We all gave them a "break" when early on in the game, things didn't always go according to plan. "Hey, they are just starting out, give em a break" was often heard around here in responce to complaints. Well, thats no longer the case but the "give em a break" rally cry is still going. When do excuses stop and business take over. Trick Marine is a business afterall.
I like Fred. I have purchased from him in the past. I will need a load of stuff in the near future BUT, will I choose Trick Marine again? That remains to be seen. Its up to Fred and his staff to regain the confidence of the buyers. Its not up to his friends to make excuses.
11-15-2007 | 07:32 AM
#69
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From: Stockholm, Sweden
I'm still waiting for my 3 Lifelines that I ordered among other items back in March Total order of $5k. Got the rest of the items, but no Lifelines. Have talked to James several times and he said he would take care of it. But nothing happends and no calls or emails.
Calling my CC company right now.
Calling my CC company right now.
11-15-2007 | 07:46 AM
#70
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Posts: 457
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From: Tampa, FL
Looks like more of the same over at Scream and Fly.
http://forums.screamandfly.com/forum...d.php?t=144431
http://forums.screamandfly.com/forum...d.php?t=144431
