if I give my supplier my customer`s shipping address/name, do you think he;d steal them from me?

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if I give my supplier my customer`s shipping address/name, do you think he;d steal them from me?

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lisaveta

posts: 29

Jan 07, 2008 1:32 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Me again, on the same path. My supplier offers free shipping anywhere in Canada if I buy 240 units. I have a would-be client in another city who may want 240. If I give this name and address to my supplier as a shipping address, do you think he`d fulfill the first order for me, and then contact them directly, thereby scooping me of my middleman profits, next time? It would really reduce my costs to do it this way, obviously.

wtgg

posts: 257

Jan 07, 2008 1:53 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Lisa, I`m not sure you should be worrying about your supplier, it doesn`t make alot of sense for him to "steal" a customer from a rep.

I would be more concerned with the customer trying to end around. along that thought I would find a way to register this customer with your supplier so if something less than loyal were to happen your supplier would have your back.

just a thought

Stan

lisaveta

posts: 29

Jan 07, 2008 2:07 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Really? The thing is I don`t know that he considers me a "rep" at the moment. I so far have bought only to retail myself. Can you suggest an appropriate demo line/conversation. i.e. how I would broach this topic with him? I don`t think he has "reps" per se, other than his in-house sales manager. Right now he has exclusive distribution for this product in this country, ie. he received all the units destined for Canada. And he`s not allowed to sell to the States, I asked him. I am a novice, as probably shows. : )

wtgg

posts: 257

Jan 07, 2008 2:38 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Well I am a kind of forward guy, so you may want to smooth it out a little, however I would just approach the sales manager offering that you have had some very postive conversations with potential customers and would like him to drop ship from his loading dock, that you are glad to be able to partner with such a reputable company. then I would pose the same situation to them and gauge thier response.
" Joe, I have had some very promising conversations with a few clients of mine, I would really like to take advantage of your free shipping and have you ship direct to them, however I am a little concerned they might try to go around me for their next purchase. How would we handle this situation?"

then listen to their answer, ask more questions, the meat of the response will be 3 or 4 questions in. (the 5 why`s)

From there you should be able to decide either continue to work behind the scenes as you are or hammer out an agreement with your supplier.

Good fortune

Stan

lisaveta

posts: 29

Jan 07, 2008 2:43 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Thanks very much Stan. That was really helpful. I was just thinking I do have a good "card" to offer him - an American was looking for another one of his products and I haven`t yet passed on contact info to either of them. This kind of thing (directly a potential client to him) can only "curry me more favor" with him, right?

RicWillmot

posts: 154

Jan 08, 2008 6:05 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Lisa,

Get in and build relationships and get your business moving with your suppliers and your customers. At the moment you are worrying about business that hasn`t happened, because you don`t have relationships yet. Break the champagne over the bow and set sail; it`s no use sitting in dry dock worrying that the ship will sink.

As the Roman`s said: "The Magistrate does not consider trifles."

You know you can do it ... go for it!

-------------------------

Ric Willmot
Executive Wisdom Consulting Group
www.ExecutiveWisdom.com
info@executivewisdom.com
Blog: www.ricwillmot.com

Founder of the Society for Executive Wisdom
www.ExecutiveWisdomSociety.com

Strategy for Professionals: www.strategyforprofessionals.com

lisaveta

posts: 29

Jan 08, 2008 4:02 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Thanks Stan and Rick for your help. I called my supplier, and he is totally willing to remove anything identifying from the bill of lading and the boxes, etc. Yay! Your coaching did help, I appreciate it.

RicWillmot

posts: 154

Jan 08, 2008 4:24 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Congratulations, Lisa!

You have proven once again, that action is the only precursor to success.

wtgg

posts: 257

Jan 08, 2008 7:55 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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good for you!!!!

keep building win / win relationships and you will not lose.

if in doubt ASK just be careful what information you share at the onset.

Stan

boyatrade

posts: 29

Jan 21, 2008 3:47 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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i think that not all persons will steal them , may be there are also have people will steal them in our society ,but i think everyone can find them by himself ,if he/she try to do it.

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