Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/136115
LOCAL BUSINESS TO BUSINESS The Perils of Buying Promo Items Online by LOUIS FERACA I was told for the first time around 1995 that my days as a local promotional hope for continued business with you ride upon the quality of his advice. Your products vendor were numbered and that the Internet was interests are their interests. going replace me. I've heard this many times since, yet it hasn't The Right Manufacturer. Local vendors know from ever happened. Why? Most buyers want to know whom they're experience or from our network's rating system, which doing business with. They want someone to be personally suppliers are stars and which are duds. If you need it fast, we accountable for their order and their budget. This is true for know which company can ship in 24 hours — sometimes at no many products that can be bought either locally or online. extra charge! If you need a complex multi-color print, we know Still, many businesses buy promo items online. They do which company has the right equipment to do the job. And this to save money, but if they took into account the potential most importantly, the risk is all ours. If your product doesn't problems and missed opportunities, the savings would not show up as ordered, your local vendor has to get it fixed or not seem nearly as attractive. Many who have bought online and get paid! been burned know what I'm talking about. You've had orders The Right Price. As mentioned above, the current search arrive late and missed events. You've had items arrive looking engines available to vendors in this industry can tell us in different than expected. And when you have a misprint, you've minutes (sometimes seconds) what the lowest price for an jumped through hoops to get a re-print — if one can be had at item is and they can also tell us the best value. Sometimes the all. You've called and gotten a different person every time and lowest price is offered by a manufacturer with known quality or different answers, too. Suffice it to say that there are pitfalls service problems but just a few cents more enables you to buy It's worth the time to check out local to ordering promo items online that can only be avoided by from a 5-star supplier. Which is the better value? I think most vendors for promotional items before experienced professional buyers. people would rather pay a little more for peace of mind. making a purchase. A professional local promo products vendor can be your The Right Graphics. Some local vendors have in-house guide to the right product from the right manufacturer at the art capabilities so that they can tweak your design to fit each right price. item you order. Often, this includes a 3D mock-up of how The Right Product. Most local vendors have access to a search engine with the finished product will look. This is an invaluable service that takes product more than 700,000 products and search tools to narrow the selection by specific effectiveness and peace-of-mind to new levels! need — like material, production-time or price-range. A local vendor with some No matter which product you are considering buying online, it experience can advise as to which products work well for which purposes. I often is worth the time to check out LOUIS FERACA, Owner, U.S, Logohave customers tell me that they want a specific item for an event, but once we a reputable local vendor and discuss the options, I often find that a different item will be far more effective. An see what they have to offer. You works, Contributing Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly. online vendor will just take your order. They give no advice and have no interest might find that the best value is com. in whether the item is right for you or not. The local vendor's reputation and right here in town. COME TO OUR OPEN HOUSE June 20 • 4-8 P.M. Location: General Classroom Building 2201 Hull Road Campus Behind the Tony Rand Student Center Representatives from FTCC Admissions, Financial Aid, Registration, Veterans Services, and all curriculum programs will be on hand. Note: Military personnel should inquire about possible credits for prior military training and experience. Let FTCC be a part of your next step for the future! 678-8400 Offering over 189 programs leading to the award of associate degree, certificate or diploma. A military friendly school! www.faytechcc.edu 18 UCW JUNE 12-18, 2013 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM