Vendors & professionalism

[Switched]

It is my learnt opinion that vendors who want to be taken seriously, should always behave in a professional and courteous manner. To do otherwise not only tarnishes ones reputation, but cuts into the bottom line as well.

The community regard vendors with high esteem, as a source of knowledge and experience. They are sought out for quality products and answers. To many, continued patronage is often the result of good service and professionalism. A good product also comes into play, but the latter is subsequent to the first two criteria.

The majority of folks are informed consumers and will often pay slightly more to get professional, courteous service. They will also shy away from vendors whom for the lack of a better word demonstrate anything but true professionalism.

In closing to vendors that have established themselves as professionals in the community, we thank you for your service, personal sacrifice and continued support in our fight towards remaining "tobacco free". To those who may seem or are offended by this post, I was talking about you

 

[Sherrick]

To those who may seem or are offended by this post, I was talking about you

Love it! LOL!

 

[Thyestean]

Well put Switched.

While people do need to understand that the vendors are people just like the rest of us, there is still a difference between an occasional need to vent and a repetitive pattern of publicly acting vindictive, childish, and otherwise unprofessional.

There are a few who I never have ordered from but also never will because of the things I have seen on the forums.

And as you said, thank you to those who do it right.

 

[jdvorr]

I agree. I also think that customers need to behave in a similar manner.

 

[ArenqueRojo]

We used to have a vetting procedure for all online business transactions. Still have the score sheet somewhere but I can remember the killers and it amazes me how many vendors in this business sector fall foul of them.
No verifiable address
No 01 or 02 telephone number. (07, 08 other than 0800, and 09) are a definite no-no.
No named email address. Info@, sales@ etc are not good enough.
No proper domain names. If you are in business you will have one.
and then there are the ones which made us look for scam rather than incompetent:
Use of webmail addresses like hotmail and gmail
Use of web forms in the Contact Us section.

Ah well! We all had to learn the hard way, I guess!
If you are starting or running a business and you fail on these simple issues, I suggest you correct them as quickly as you can. They WILL cost you business.
Patrick

 

[Switched]

I agree. I also think that customers need to behave in a similar manner.

That is also correct and thanks for adding to the conversation.

 

[cliff5550]

Maybe the phrase we're searching for is "mutual respect".

 

[smokin n jokin]

I had my own manufacturing business for 24 years. Our philosophy was "The customer may not always be right but they are always the customer" Our mantra was "When you give me money we do it your way; when I give you money then we do it my way."

When you are in business you aren't entitled to "have a bad day"

 

[csa]

BINGO

Well said.

I had my own manufacturing business for 24 years. Our philosophy was "The customer may not always be right but they are always the customer" Our mantra was "When you give me money we do it your way; when I give you money then we do it my way."

When you are in business you aren't entitled to "have a bad day"

 

[Bageone]

OMG you were reading my mind, I have been bothered about this for a while and I agree everyone can have a bad day, however I don't care how good your product is, I won't be buying it again if I see continued public ridicule of their customers. It is as if how dare they question them on anything... not gonna buy it.. not gonna buy it.. done

 

[PaulCincy]

Great Point Switched.....Gracefully stated and completely true....

 

[Switched]

It is unfortunate this thread was moved from it's original location "vendors review" where it would serve a better purpose than eventually becoming buried in "general discussion"

 

[StormFinch]

Something else, that bothers me at least, is vendors that advertise here but can't spell and don't use a checker. I am by no means a spelling nazi and realize that we all make mistakes, but in my mind if you are going to advertise your business you need to do it in a professional manner. There is at least one supplier on the forums that I find myself shying away from because their posts are riddled with typos and just plain mis-spelled words. Considering the fact that the forums have an automatic spell checker... well, if they don't care enough to clean up their posts, what kind of care really goes into their product and customer service?

 

[PaulCincy]

Yess, Stormmfinch,,,,,I tottally agreee...lol...

 

[JLeigh]

It is my learnt opinion that vendors who want to be taken seriously, should always behave in a professional and courteous manner. To do otherwise not only tarnishes ones reputation, but cuts into the bottom line as well.

The community regard vendors with high esteem, as a source of knowledge and experience. They are sought out for quality products and answers. To many, continued patronage is often the result of good service and professionalism. A good product also comes into play, but the latter is subsequent to the first two criteria.

The majority of folks are informed consumers and will often pay slightly more to get professional, courteous service. They will also shy away from vendors whom for the lack of a better word demonstrate anything but true professionalism.

In closing to vendors that have established themselves as professionals in the community, we thank you for your service, personal sacrifice and continued support in our fight towards remaining "tobacco free". To those who may seem or are offended by this post, I was talking about you

Agree 100%. There is nothing that turns me off more than an unprofessional vendor. Cattiness/cockiness/publicly blaming and/or ridiculing customers (I don't care if they were in the wrong or not) makes my wallet turn elsewhere.

 

[Switched]

Agree 100%. There is nothing that turns me off more than an unprofessional vendor. Cattiness/cockiness/publicly blaming and/or ridiculing customers (I don't care if they were in the wrong or not) makes my wallet turn elsewhere.

... and it all started with Walmart.

 

[AngusATAT]

It is unfortunate this thread was moved from it's original location "vendors review" where it would serve a better purpose than eventually becoming buried in "general discussion"

It is unfortunate that this thread is not a review of a Supplier, and would therefore belong in that forum.

I tend to spend my money with Suppliers that I feel are "nice people". I would rather spend a little extra and buy from people that I like, rather than feel like I am just a nameless customer, no matter how "professional" that Supplier may act. It's probably the same reason I try to shop as much as I can at my local "mom and pop" grocery store in the small town I live in, rather than drive 5 more minutes to a larger store with better prices.

 

[wenchy69]

Something else, that bothers me at least, is vendors that advertise here but can't spell and don't use a checker. I am by no means a spelling nazi and realize that we all make mistakes, but in my mind if you are going to advertise your business you need to do it in a professional manner. There is at least one supplier on the forums that I find myself shying away from because their posts are riddled with typos and just plain mis-spelled words. Considering the fact that the forums have an automatic spell checker... well, if they don't care enough to clean up their posts, what kind of care really goes into their product and customer service?

OOOOH, better be careful. it seems spelling nazis are not tolerated here. a certain few take quite an offense to people like you and i who pull up those with poor spelling skills!
tough luck i say! poor spelling is a pet peeve of mine and so be it!

 

[Switched]

OOOOH, better be careful. it seems spelling nazis are not tolerated here. a certain few take quite an offense to people like you and i who pull up those with poor spelling skills!
tough luck i say! poor spelling is a pet peeve of mine and so be it!

ROTFL...

OOOOH, better be careful. It seems spelling Nazis are not tolerated here. A certain few take quite an offence to people like you and I who pull pick up up those with poor spelling skills!
Tough luck I say!, poor spelling is a pet peeve of mine and so be it!

 

[AngusATAT]

ROTFL...

OOOOH, better be careful. It seems spelling Nazis are not tolerated here. A certain few take quite an offence to people like you and I who pull pick up up those with poor spelling skills!
Tough luck I say!, poor spelling is a pet peeve of mine and so be it!

A wise man once said...


"That's funny right there. I don't care who ya are!"