Placing an order seems pretty straightforward, but there are actually plenty of ways one could easily mess it up. So, what kinds of things should you stray from when placing business orders? The following list outlines 5 ordering practices to avoid:
1) Don’t source solely on short lead times and cheap prices.
Unreasonably short deadlines create pressure; and, in order to meet those deadlines, suppliers end up scrambling to deliver on time, which often results in lower quality service. Furthermore, cheap doesn’t always mean ideal. Orders need to be well thought out and accomplish your company’s top priorities. Placing a subpar order demonstrates – above all else – carelessness.
2) Take time to find suppliers that sufficiently fit your needs.
A quick Google search doesn’t always cut it when it comes to finding quality suppliers. You must conduct the proper due diligence to find suppliers that truly fit your needs and are both willing and able to work with you. This often takes some dedicated time, but this is time well spent in the long run because the chances that your needs will be better met are much higher. In addition, customer satisfaction will then be less of a stretch.
3) Include clear, concise, well-documented specifications.
Without the proper level of detail, your order is inevitably doomed for error. Unclear specifications lead to the shipment of a product that falls short of meeting the buyer’s expectations. All orders must include: color, dimensions, and material type. Incomplete information is ultimately unacceptable and speaks negatively of your brand.
4) Don’t pay 100% upfront.
When ordering, you should tie payments to a schedule and complete them only after the inspection is complete. For example, when you put down a 30% deposit, the other 70% will be paid upon completion and passing the inspection report. This is a smart practice because you’d likely lose money by paying upfront, especially in cases where the inspection report isn’t passed. A complete process deserves payment in full. It’s only fair!
5) Don’t pay to personal accounts
It’s wise to make all of your payments out to the corporate business account that matches the business license provided upon your initial interaction, and include the specific purchase order being issued. This is a safe route and ensures that you’re paying for exactly what you’d intended. Making payments to personal accounts is not worth risking your hard earned money over.
If you keep these 5 taboo ordering practices top of mind, you’ll surely improve your service quality and your reputation. Be careful and precise, dot your i’s and cross your t’s. Take your time, do your research, act with caution, and, most importantly, always push for your best. By doing all of these things, your orders will be pristine.
Have more questions about what to avoid? Contact us today!