Should we feel aggrieved?

[Lucan Unlordly]

We buy 90% of a national suppliers end of range stock, running from hundreds to a couple of thousand pounds at a time. This alongside regular orders a couple of times a month.

Having turned down an offer on a product that we felt wasn't up to scratch the supplier has sold it to a competitor, who doesn't normally stock their products, and who, whilst serving the same market, does not have a strong presence in our niche. We have 200 lines, they have 2. With the whole country and hundreds of customers the supplier has chosen to supply this other company who are just 15 minutes up the road.

Should we feel aggrieved?

 

[tan_lan]

No. You had the option to buy it, you did not. Its your error if you are not happy.

 

[Ozzy]

Personally I wouldn’t. It doesn’t sound like it’s much of an issue really based on your description of them.
If it becomes a regular occurrence then I would have a word, but a one off or infrequent then I’d suggest forget it.

 

[WaveJumper]

I can understand how you feel but if the product was not up to scratch its not going to do much for their brand or reputation at the end of the day. As above have a quite word but I wouldn't damage the relashonship you have with your supplier.

 

[The Supplier Central]

I can completely understand feeling affronted, but unless you have an exclusivity deal, you can't hold them to your preferences. As @Ozzy says maybe have a word if it happens again, but it is probably as simple as you refused, and they needed to get rid of the line so found the closest company like you to sell to.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

I can completely understand feeling affronted, but unless you have an exclusivity deal, you can't hold them to your preferences. As @Ozzy says maybe have a word if it happens again, but it is probably as simple as you refused, and they needed to get rid of the line so found the closest company like you to sell to.

Finding the closest as in a company like us to sell to is fine, but canvassing for business in a geographically sensitive area, close to their biggest buyer in this niche of the market -i.e., us - in my humble opinion, stinks. The supplier has used this product to try and open up a new account on our turf. It's like a tyre manufacturer ignoring all of their existing retailers and supplying a main dealer, who doesn't fit tyres but has a couple on the shelf that they bought years ago, hoping that they can grow the account.

I will do as I always do when loyalty goes awol and hit them in the pocket by transferring orders to other suppliers, or start importing direct.

 

[The Supplier Central]

Finding the closest as in a company like us to sell to is fine, but canvassing for business in a geographically sensitive area, close to their biggest buyer in this niche of the market -i.e., us - in my humble opinion, stinks. The supplier has used this product to try and open up a new account on our turf. It's like a tyre manufacturer ignoring all of their existing retailers and supplying a main dealer, who doesn't fit tyres but has a couple on the shelf that they bought years ago, hoping that they can grow the account.

I will do as I always do when loyalty goes awol and hit them in the pocket by transferring orders to other suppliers, or start importing direct.

I agree it’s going to leave a bad taste in your mouth and really bad business on their part because people remember loyalty!