Fortunately, when it comes to finding suppliers to manufacture your countertop, you have multiple options available. And, of course, you don’t have to go out with them. But choosing the right provider (granite countertops supplier) is almost as important as choosing a lifelong partner.
Choosing the right supplier doesn’t just involve scanning a series of price lists. How you evaluate the importance of these different factors will depend on your priorities and strategy.
A strategic approach to choosing countertop suppliers can also help you understand how your possibilities evaluate their purchasing decisions.
This guide describes a step-by-step approach that should help you make the right choices. It will help you decide what you need from a supplier, identify potential suppliers, and choose your supplier.
Think strategically when selecting suppliers:
When you are finding kitchen countertop suppliers, you need to think technically. You have to get that thing which you need, not those things which suppliers want to sell.
Quantities:
It is worth considering how many suppliers you need. Buying from a carefully targeted group could have some benefits:
- it will be easier to control your suppliers
- your kitchen will become more important to them
- you may be able to enter into deals that will give you an additional competitive advantage
What you should look for in a supplier?
- Reliability
- Clear communication
- Financial security
- Strong approach
- Identify potential suppliers
- Recommendations
- Marketing experts
- Displays
- Specialized press
Reliability:
Suppliers must provide reliable services.
Clear communication:
You need your suppliers to deliver on time, or they need to be honest and give you lots of warnings if they can’t. The best suppliers will want to talk to you regularly to find out what your needs are and how they can best serve you.
Financial security:
It’s always worth making sure your supplier has enough cash flow to deliver what you want when you need it. A credit check will help make sure they don’t go bankrupt when you need them most.
Strong approach:
A healthy relationship will benefit both parties. You want your suppliers to recognize the importance of your business to them so that they go to great lengths to provide the best possible service.
Identify potential suppliers:
It is best to create a shortlist of possible suppliers through a combination of sources to give you a broader base of choices.
Recommendations:
Ask your friends and professional acquaintances. You’re more likely to get an honest assessment of a company’s strengths and weaknesses from someone who has used their services.
Marketing experts:
Local business support organizations can often refer you to potential suppliers. You can also contact our strategic information center.
Displays:
Trade shows offer a great opportunity to chat with several potential suppliers in one place and at the same time. Before going to a display, it is good to check that the exhibitors are relevant and suitable for your business.
Specialized press:
Trade magazines feature advertisements from potential suppliers. You can contact the strategic information center for a list of contracts.
Evolution of a shortlist of suppliers:
When considering which companies are on your list, ask yourself the following questions:
• can these suppliers provide what you want, when you want it?
• Are they financially secure?
• How long have they been established?
• Do you know someone who has used them and can recommend them?
• are they on the lists of approved suppliers by trade associations or by the government?
Do your research and try to narrow the list down to four or five candidates maximum. It is a waste of time for you and the potential supplier if you turn to them when they are unlikely to meet your needs.
How to choose a supplier:
Once you have a manageable list, you can contact a potential granite countertops supplier and request a written quote and, if applicable, a sample. It is best to provide them with a summary that summarizes what you need, how often you will need it, and the level of activity you hope to do.
- Request a quote
- Compare potential suppliers
- Cost
- Negotiate the terms and conditions
Request a quote:
It’s worth asking potential suppliers to give you a fixed price in writing for, say, three months. You can also request discounts for long-term or high-volume contracts.
Compare potential suppliers:
Once you get your quote, compare potential suppliers based on what matters most to you. For example, the quality of their product or service may be the most important, while their location may not matter.
Cost:
Lower prices may reflect lower quality goods and services which, in the long run, may not be the cheapest option. Make sure your supplier can get enough margin at the listed price to make the business commercially viable.
Negotiate the terms and conditions:
Once you’ve decided which suppliers you want to work with, you can move on to negotiating terms and conditions and drafting a contract. Check out our guide on how to negotiate the right deal with suppliers.
Read Also: Comparison of Granite Countertops vs Quartz for kitchens
Conclusion:
Finding a granite countertops supplier can be one of the most difficult and stressful parts of sourcing a product. It is important to find a supplier who is easy to work with and who will provide you with the best possible product. Communication, willingness to work with you, supplier profile statistics, price, and quality are all important boxes that should be checked before choosing a supplier.
