How often do you check supplier practices & prices?

[Lucan Unlordly]

It would be nice to think that every small business holder has a good handle on every single cost in the business but that's not always the case. Somewhat embarrassingly - guilty as charged

Scenario 1. Just been stung for £14 for just 2 calls to place an order with a supplier who'd 'secretly' introduced a premium number telephone line which always keeps you waiting. That wasn't the case before, the phone was always picked up in seconds.

Scenario 2. Loyal subscriber to online accounting software provider. Current prices are now a third of what we've been paying. Fortunately the sums involved are minimal by comparison but should have checked more regularly.

That said i'm getting the same feeling I get when someone down the pub tells you that they've got a great mobile phone deal when your provider of 20 years + stays stum!

 

[billybob99]

Yeah I hear you.

I've had the same mobile phone contract since I was 16. Was called 1-2-1 back in the day, then T-Mobile and now EE - been nearly 14 years.

Noways they couldn't give a crap how long you been with them really, before I used to get all sorts of discounts when upgrading etc - not so much now, so I just buy the phone I want sim free and just have a very small monthly contract with unlimited everything.

There's not a lot of loyalty around for some stuff, they know people are prepared to just switch and change every year.

It's not their fault, I just can't be bothered changing anything.

And I'm not sure which accounting provider you're referring to but when I joined the one I use it was about £20 a month and now its nearly £30 - but it does what I need and is still providing value.

 

[Mr D]

Not usually too worried about price, I do care about value and service.
Cheap is not the same as good.
I do not eat cheap bread, I do not drink cheap tea.

I read recently government plans to force those of us not on the best tariff to move to a better supplier for gas and electricity.
Even if we are with current supplier because of experience with other providers.
So they force a change unwanted so I have to switch back manually.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

Good points Mr D. I guess i'm talking same service, same supplier and have it in my head that the cost of securing new customers is far in excess of a more open approach to maintain loyal one's.

If we have an offer going live at 9am Monday and an order has been placed online over the weekend at the higher rate we'll rectify the situation for loyal established customers.
If they've previously ordered at the higher price and do a top up order by phone without knowing that a better price is available we'll tell them.

I knew a guy once who's attitude to sales was that you should always feel that you've 'had it away'. He had previously sold double glazing and second hand cars. He soon got found out. It seems the same attitude prevails no matter how big the company?

 

[Mark T Jones]

I don'yt have many high value supplies and only keep a vague eye on prices

I stick with T-Mobile for the simple reason tat their call centre is good - no idea if I'm getting the best deal, but it's a few quid a month.

Last year I came close to changing bank from Lloyds, mostly because I needed to amend my online banking and their service was beyond diabolical. Didn't bother, but certainly won't recommend them to small business.

 

[Mr D]

Good points Mr D. I guess i'm talking same service, same supplier and have it in my head that the cost of securing new customers is far in excess of a more open approach to maintain loyal one's.

If we have an offer going live at 9am Monday and an order has been placed online over the weekend at the higher rate we'll rectify the situation for loyal established customers.
If they've previously ordered at the higher price and do a top up order by phone without knowing that a better price is available we'll tell them.

I knew a guy once who's attitude to sales was that you should always feel that you've 'had it away'. He had previously sold double glazing and second hand cars. He soon got found out. It seems the same attitude prevails no matter how big the company?

I've done sales. The idea that both sides gain from the deal was appallingly uncommon in the places I've worked. Its what I used and I was successful enough to earn a wage for a few years.
Does not help when the board of directors take everything and mess things up, alienating customers.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Every week Petrol Prices .com email the local prices and fuel card prices for diesel

 

[MandaBarnes]

Ideally, this should be a continuous practice, however, it gets awfully hard to keep up when you're just one person to do all the tasks at hand! Good luck, it sure gets tricky to find the time to check and balance everything, but it's certainly worthwhile in terms of saving money for your business!