Full Version: What's with suppliers.........
From: PenMan [#16]
22 Mar 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#15] 22 Mar 2007
From: Puck (PUCKERBRUSH) [#17]
22 Mar 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#14] 22 Mar 2007
Not so with the suppliers these days. I am either getting the wrong item, double the order ($270.00 jumped to almost $550.00) or not receiving the order at all which does not seem to phase the suppliers as bad customer service. I can understand the once in a while mistake but at least stand up and take responsibility and quit trying to put the blame else where. If the suppliers would fix the problem they would keep the business but seems to me they are dropping the ball more and more and saying not our fault.
Your comment is so on that it is scary
Puck
From: Zonas [#18]
22 Mar 2007
To: Puck (PUCKERBRUSH) [#1] 22 Mar 2007
I haven't read all the postings, so not sure if it is material, delivery or cost issues. I use lots of 1/8" clear/clear and I buy mine from Bur-Lane - and use their own brand. Their brand is more matte than Rowmarks, which is what I need for the jobs I'm doing. Not sure their current price, but do know you get free shipping with $250.00 order (the good days of $100.00 long gone). My problem is I use mostly 1/8" and Bur-Lane and Johnson are the only ones that stock this thickness, so it has nothing to do with JDS.
Zona
Topeka, KS
From: Puck (PUCKERBRUSH) [#19]
22 Mar 2007
To: Zonas [#18] 22 Mar 2007
Zonas,
I was using Burlane for my matte/clear but the last batch I received had so many flaws in it that I went else where this last time for my large order. I did check with them and they were somewhere around $1.50 to $2.00 higher a sheet but the free shipping would have evened it out.
I do like the matte more on their brand than Rowmark but hate the flawed part. I might have to go back with their brand for the better matte when using it for the ADA signs but these last didn't require the ADA.
Thanks,
Puck
From: Jer (DIAMOND) [#20]
22 Mar 2007
To: Puck (PUCKERBRUSH) [#19] 22 Mar 2007
I would be surprised if JDS or Johnson Plastics would let you down. I have had almost no trouble out of either one. When there was a problem, it was fixed so fast that I did not even feel it.
By the way, has anyone noticed how quickly JDS can take an order? I placed a large order a couple of weeks back and my wife commented that I was on the phone just a few minutes. They don't mess around.
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#21]
22 Mar 2007
To: Jer (DIAMOND) [#20] 22 Mar 2007
Jer,
Another example of JDS magic is when you place an order on their website, then remember ten minutes later that you could have ordered one other thing from them. You call them on the phone, they have the order right there and add the item with great pleasure. Their inventory and order system is industry leading.
It seems like such a simple thing, but makes for a great customer experience.
From: Jer (DIAMOND) [#22]
22 Mar 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#21] 22 Mar 2007
From: Cody (BOBTNAILER) [#23]
22 Mar 2007
To: Jer (DIAMOND) [#22] 22 Mar 2007
That's the Advantage Program (AP) from JDS. You have to agree to buy at least $5,000 from them in a calendar year, but you get end-column pricing on all case quantity purchases. It doesn't take long for that to add up!
Up to this year, we spent less than $3k. This year, we'll more than double that amount.
JDS had a great show special in Vegas, and we took full advantage of it....buying about $2,000 worth of stuff for about $1,700 (PLUS free shipping). It's worth noting that some of the items were backordered, so they shipped everything to us when they got it in - and they still paid all of the freight.
For a small outfit like ours, that makes a world of difference.
To return to the "service" side of this thread......
Two of the absolute BEST suppliers that we deal with regularly are Zeit and Catania. I'm not even going to mention Engraving Concepts here, because I think we ALL know that they set the proverbial BAR for service (did I just mention them?).
Even though we're still pretty new, both of these companies treat us like we're their best and longest-standing customers. If I feel like I need to talk to the owner of either company, I know without a doubt that they'll be accessible to me (that matters!). Of course, I know it doesn't hurt that we always pay our bills on time. ;-)
Cody
EDITED: 22 Mar 2007 by BOBTNAILER
From: Zonas [#24]
22 Mar 2007
To: Puck (PUCKERBRUSH) [#19] 22 Mar 2007
I ordered from them in February and had no problems with the material. What type of flaws did you experience and was it the 1/8" material. How long ago did you order - reason I'm asking is I need to place another order. Yes, I'm using this material for ADA signage also.
Zona
From: Puck (PUCKERBRUSH) [#25]
23 Mar 2007
To: Zonas [#24] 23 Mar 2007
Zona,
I use 1/16" matte/clear for the front of my signs and PVC for the back which puts the sign about 1/4" in thickness.
It has been a while since I ordered from them. When I did the last time it was a large order and I have been working with the flawed material along with ordering small orders from out of Portland. I am down to just 2 sheets now and using it for backup only since the last sheet was flawed all the way through and useless. Just ordered 5 sheets (24"x48") out of Portland for my last signs but need to order more since I used it all for this sign order.
By flaws I mean that they have like small wood chips/slivers, dirt and etc. in them. They have a series of like solid scratch lines running from top to bottom spaced out on them and some had spots of clear/clear circle like spots all over them.
When cutting these to the size I need it is hard to tell the flaws since I don't take the protective cover off until I apply a vinyl on them on one side. Even then I can not always catch the flaws that are on the matte side until I take the protective cover off of that side. You know how easy this stuff is to scratch without that protective cover on so I leave it on till the last minute and then recover with transfer tape when I'm finished with the sign.
Let me know on your order how it turns out, maybe I just got the only bad batch they have had. Should have sent it all back but struggled through with it. With you using 1/8" it might make a difference.
I did try a product from GE Polymershapes (spelling) and it was about half the price but was harder to cut but looked the same so I might try that again.
Puck
From: Carl (CSEWELL) [#26]
23 Mar 2007
To: Carl (CSEWELL) [#9] 23 Mar 2007
I just received a phone call from Mike (operations manager) at JDS in response to my comments (6397.9) in this thread.
Yes, they are aware of the tracking problem and they are working on fixing the problem. He also looked at my particular material that I was having problems getting at or near 1 case quantities and he said he would adjust the levels to, hopefully, prevent the problem from happening again.
David: he also made the comment that it would be time consuming for him to read all threads to be able to respond to the JDS issues. I told him that you would be more than willing to make him aware of specific JDS comments via e-mail. He loved that idea!
While I do order a majority of my materials from JDS, I can be fairly certain that I am near the bottom of their list of customers by dollar amount. I'd like to think that they are counting on me becoming at or near the top some day!
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#27]
23 Mar 2007
To: Carl (CSEWELL) [#26] 23 Mar 2007
Carl,
We're only averaging a little bit over 100 posts per day. Certainly, Mike can follow along. :O)
When you say he was responding to an EE post, was he made aware of it, through you, or did someone at JDS happen to see the post?
EDITED: 23 Mar 2007 by DGL
From: Carl (CSEWELL) [#28]
23 Mar 2007
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#27] 23 Mar 2007
He said that he would forward his e-mail address to me (haven't seen it yet). He didn't say I couldn't share it with the forum.....
He may be contacting you about forwarding the posts to him. He seemed genuinely interested in receiving comments.
From: jeanettebrewer (JEANETTEBREWER2) [#29]
23 Mar 2007
To: Carl (CSEWELL) [#28] 23 Mar 2007
BTW, if I can read through all of them every day, I think Mike can too! (tongue in cheek)
From: Carl (CSEWELL) [#30]
23 Mar 2007
To: jeanettebrewer (JEANETTEBREWER2) [#29] 23 Mar 2007
I thought the search feature didn't work with 3 characters, but I just searched for JDS and all the threads came up. CERTAINLY that's not too difficult for them to do once in a while?
I would also think that they'd like to keep up with what is REALLY happening in this industry, by reading the forum every day, so they could react accordingly.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#31]
23 Mar 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#21] 23 Mar 2007
It seems like such a simple thing, but makes for a great customer experience.
Now if we could only get them to us Click N Ship via USPS.com .....
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#32]
23 Mar 2007
To: jeanettebrewer (JEANETTEBREWER2) [#29] 23 Mar 2007
Jeanette,
Since you seem to have some clout, perhaps you would be willing to help me get JDS to start using Click N Ship?
I have talked to Scott about it once, and to Annette to no avail.
I intend to bring up the issue again now that Scott can put a face to a name, ( after the hug he got at the ARIEF booth).....and talk to him about it again.
Johnson plastics uses click and ship, I have gotten Tropar on Board with it in California, and ImprintsUSA will do it also..... it is an added value service that costs the supplier nothing.
If you need more information let me know....and I'll send you an email..so I don't clog up this thread.
From: jeanettebrewer (JEANETTEBREWER2) [#33]
23 Mar 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#32] 23 Mar 2007
Chuck,
Hate to disappoint you but I have no clout. While I would think you're on the right track dealing directly with Scott, Mike May seems to make things happen when you get to his desk. I'll send him a note and ask him to touch base with you (or to at least tell you with whom you'd have better luck).
Better yet, do you have a reference # for that original post re: this issue? We should probably forward *that* thread to Mike.
By the way, I'll also ask him not to let that whole Chuck-hugging-Scott thing stand in the way of progress. ;-)
EDITED: 23 Mar 2007 by JEANETTEBREWER2
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#34]
23 Mar 2007
To: jeanettebrewer (JEANETTEBREWER2) [#33] 23 Mar 2007
Jeannette,
There is not a post....I did speak with Scott once before...and got nowhere....that is all I have.......
From: jeanettebrewer (JEANETTEBREWER2) [#35]
23 Mar 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#34] 23 Mar 2007
Sorry ... I could have sworn you discussed online before. Maybe I was just reading your mind instead of your words...
Have a Happy Hawaiian Weekend!
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