I didn't want to be in this position, but it's actually quite logical that I look after ink supplies for printers. After all, I look after the printers when something goes wrong, and I'll change a cartridge if my users aren't sure how to do it. So being the ink/consumables buyer is a logical extension of my job. Not ALL consumables, of course - paper is still handled centrally by the admin team. I'm also the person responsible for ordering projectors, although, strangely, NOT DVD players.
All of which means that I'm often wooed by companies who'd like to have my business.
I'm going to say, right here and now, that I usually frequent a site called Supplies For Schools. They have been, and continue to be, a spectacularly good site. I get 30 days credit without even having to sign up for an account (although I do believe I have one). Most of my order will usually arrive the day after I've placed it, with remaining items turning up within a week. Only a couple of times have I had to chase to get those final few items. The web site is laid out logically, and their search algorithm is efficient!
I also, but less often, use Equanet, because I have an account manager, who will help me to find new equipment. Thus when I required a new, networked printer or a projector, I gave them a list of requirements, and allowed them to choose the kit necessary. They have not yet let me down. Their search is less useful (although nothing like as spectacularly bad as the Amazon search), but if I can't find what I want, I call up my account manager and have them find it for me. Turns out that's quite efficient!
These, then, are The Good.
And so onto the wooing. As I said, I have a number of cold calls - people trying to convince my reception ladies that they've spoken to me before, trying to pretend acquaintanceship where none exists, but my ladies always catch them. Occasionally, if I've nothing urgent on, I'll talk to them. I figure it can't harm (except that now they WILL have spoken to me), and it might just help.
The conversations usually centre on the fact that I'm in charge of buying inks, and have I been to look at their web site. Usually there's a bit of incentive to sign up for their site, consisting of a regular discount or something. Many of these are perfectly adequate sites, with perfectly reasonable prices. The only problem is that SO many of them require that you create an account. Which then needs to be verified. I get that you don't want your customers making off with the goodies without paying. But the hoops through which I've been forced to jump on occasion put me off these sites.
There are, of course, the sites which simply can't compete with my usual sites.
These I refer to as The Bad.
Once in a while, however, comes a cold call of such mind-boggling idiocy that you wonder how the people are still in business. Oh, sure, I get that you're trying to drum up business, and that, maybe, you don't quite know how to price your supplies, but ASKING your customers how much they paid for their last order so that you can simply come back with a better price for their next order is just breathtakingly crass!
But it's happened to me - followed up with multiple calls and emails, all asking ME to do THEIR job. Wow! Just wow!
Other such sites have required that I sign up for an account, but refuse to send goods without prior payment by cheque. Which needs to clear before they'll even think about dispatching the goodies.
These sites are The Frankly Unhelpful. Or The Exceedingly Crass. Or The Plain, Old Ugly!
I think Supplies for Schools have it right. Apart from the fact that they just make my life easier, it's not as if schools are fly-by-night institutions. They can be verified quite simply.
I'm not going to name and shame any site - they hardly need my assistance in their chaotic rush to go out of business!
Recovering Data
14 years ago
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