On Jan. 22 I teased you with Smart Buying Tip #1. Here's the next two and don't forget to watch this blog for the fourth and final tip shortly.
Smart Buying Tip #2: The Smaller Big Guys. Are you currently using one of the “big guys” to source your premiums and incentives? Every city has a few of these promotional product distributors: eight to ten salespeople, a huge office/showroom, a half dozen administrative people, a warehouse and delivery trucks. All of this support is expensive and most of the time unnecessary.
According to industry trade association PPPC (Promotional Products Professionals of Canada) the average premium and incentive order is approximately $1,200. For a $1,200 order you don’t need to use a supplier with a fancy showroom, warehouse space, trucks and admin people. You just need a competent professional who has experience in designing and sourcing great product. For every one of the “big guys” in your area, there are probably a half dozen “Smaller Big Guys” that operate in two or three person companies. Give them a chance to quote on your next project – with their lower overhead and lean operations you should be pleasantly surprised by the result.
Smart Buying Tip #3: Know Your Audience. You will have to balance between value, quantity and luxury so you have to know who you are buying for. The old adage will always be true: you get what you pay for. Do you want the maximum quantity for your budget? No problem, there are many options in the $1 to $3 item price range from budget tote bags to pens to small giftware. If you want the middle ground then great, tens of thousands of promotional product options exist in the $10 to $25 price range. Do you want maximum luxury? There are name brands like Roots that offer beautiful $250 leather duffel bags. With a $2000 budget you can only reward eight people with a Roots duffel but boy will they be happy!