Full Version: Alternative to Classic Medallics
From: Josh (WIZURD) [#1]
24 Jul 2006
To: ALL
Hi all,
After reading the reviews of Discount/Marco I thought that perhaps others might have an alternative to Classic Medallics. We are in the process of cleaning up the shop and looking at the past season and have just thrown out all of our classic catalogs. I know that JDS and others have a selection of medals but does anyone know of a vendor with the depth of products (preferably in stock)?
Thanks,
Josh
From: Cody (BOBTNAILER) [#2]
24 Jul 2006
To: Josh (WIZURD) [#1] 25 Jul 2006
I have two personal favorites for medals:
Continental Trophies for stocks, and Catania for custom stuff.
I've never bought from Classic, but don't really remember hearing anything particularly good or bad about them. Have you been having some experiences that other might benefit from?
From: geebeau [#3]
24 Jul 2006
To: Cody (BOBTNAILER) [#2] 25 Jul 2006
We use Classic Medallics for their logo inserts.. never had a problem with them. Service has always been top-notch and they've never been out of stock on any items.
Steve
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#4]
25 Jul 2006
To: Josh (WIZURD) [#1] 25 Jul 2006
Josh,
I'm a little confused. What do the negative reviews of Marco/DTC have to do with Classic Medallics?
What experience with CM has you tossing all their catalogs out?
From: Josh (WIZURD) [#5]
25 Jul 2006
To: ALL
The two companies do not have anything to do with each other but for the fact that each companies reliability has been slipping.
Last year we did a job for one of our bigger customers who liked a product from the Classic catalog. When we received the item, the piece did not fit straight on the base. We explained the problem to the "customer support" person who then told us we did not know how to glue the piece onto the base. After digital pictures and an overnight package, I got an "oops I guess it didn't fit" response.
Like most other companies in the industry, we had a booming end of school year season. In the middle of the season, we placed an order for several different medals and lapel pins. As part of the order, some items were shipped short, others back ordered and still others never made it to the order.
This past year, we instituted a PO policy where we record what items were ordered, the date the order was placed and the rep who took the order. When we called Classic, after waiting for 25 minutes on hold we were given the run-around. They denied every part of each of the problems but couldn't weasle out of the backorder items without a phone call.
By the way, this order was placed for a customer with guaranteed overnight shipping, all items were reported to be in stock and we were told our customers would not have any problems. The order was placed on a Wednesday before noon for a Friday afternoon delivery.
I understand busy season. I know that there are lots of moving parts. We do everything we can, especially with rushes to ensure we do not let our customers down. We build in cushions where ever possible but rely on our partners to pull their weight. If they are not going to give us accurate information or do not take responsibility or their screw ups, we have no patience.
We have started rating our suppliers between preferred, neutral and only buy from if all else fails and the customer will not consider any other solutions.
Sorry for the long rant but you asked.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#6]
25 Jul 2006
To: Josh (WIZURD) [#5] 25 Jul 2006
No long rant; just the explanation I asked for.
I don't blame you for initiating an in-house rating system.
Since you tracked the orders, by rep, did you find a particular rep at fault, or are you seeing a company-wide pattern?
From: Josh (WIZURD) [#7]
25 Jul 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#6] 25 Jul 2006
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#8]
25 Jul 2006
To: Josh (WIZURD) [#7] 25 Jul 2006
Josh,
Why is it that companies don't like to be confronted with facts? :-)
I don't think it's limited to any particular industry, but many people don't seem to be interested in doing their jobs any more.
How do you screen your employees?
What measures do you take to keep the good ones?
EDITED: 25 Jul 2006 by DGL
From: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#9]
25 Jul 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#8] 26 Jul 2006
Dave-
I agree completely. There are a rare few exceptions anymore (the Brewers being one ) but for the most part, I am noticing that customer service and pride in job well done have gone completely out the window.
And the frustrating thing about it, Josh is probably not the only CM customer to have issues with the service. In my opinion, one dissatisfied customer is one too many. But it should be an opportunity for improvement.
The other issue that I think is sad, at the end of the day, is there no satisfaction of a job well done? I think it's a shame that no one seems to take pride in the fact that they offered the best quality/service/sales that they could possibly offer. They are just getting by.
And it's not just this industry..it's wide spread. We bought a swingset and noticed that it had a little issue with it (the slide is so hot you could fry an egg on it) Now the slide we had before never got hot. So I called the place to see if there would be another slide we could try. She said "Oh yeah, we've gotten complaints about that before...that's normal" If you've gotten complaints about it before, take that opportunity to improve your product...not keeping passing the same product thru. AAAGGHH.
Didn't mean to rant on my own, but I strongly agree with both of you that customer service is fading rapidly. And that is one of my biggest pet peeves.
Becky
From: Josh (WIZURD) [#10]
25 Jul 2006
To: ALL
Dave,
Boy you hit a nerve on those questions. We are having troubles finding employees that will go that extra steps for our customers. Since I bought the business 4 years ago, we have gone through twenty six employees with only 1 of the original employees.
With the way things are today, it has been my experience that setting up different systems within the organization and ensuring the procedures are followed each time is the only way to ensure things are being done the way they should.
And as for waning customer service, I think it's just who you decide to patronize. As more customers express their dissatisfaction with a vendor and take their business elsewhere, there are only two things they can do: improve or shut down.
I am reassured about customer service by the Florida staff at Tropar, anybody at JDS, the folks at Acrylic Idea Factory, the people at Slee to name a few. As customers we really need to take a stand and stop supporting companies that do not want our business and give it to those who are looking out for our interests.
BTW, do you ever sleep Dave?
From: LARRY (CENTURYBADGE) [#11]
26 Jul 2006
To: Josh (WIZURD) [#10] 26 Jul 2006
Good Morning,
What many of us fail to realize is that the manufacturers and disbributors we work with today are no longer manufacturers. They are all buying from factories in China or elswhere. They must buy months in advance and wait for shipment from overseas. Even the best of them cannot anticiapate what will be the hot sellers of the season.
This is the price we are paying today for shipping our manufacturing overseas. I agree it was nice when you were dealing with a manufacture in Ohio whose plant was in Ohio not in China, Italy or somewhere else.
There are some who do a better job than others,i.e. JDS, Acrylic Idea factory but even they have there problems.
Just my thoughts on the issue.
Larry
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#12]
26 Jul 2006
To: Josh (WIZURD) [#10] 26 Jul 2006
Josh,
I agree with what you say. I also think that not enough people voice their dissatisfaction. That leads companies to (falsely) believe that no news is good news.
As Larry points out; with so many items coming from overseas, some situations are beyond a supplier's control. That's understandable.
What's not understandable, are the companies who don't deal with customer service issues, that are under their control.
Do I ever sleep? Absolutely! Of course, like many people, I find the forum utterly fascinating and check in regularly.
Maybe it's our three-hour time time difference, that makes you think otherwise. :-)
EDITED: 26 Jul 2006 by DGL