3 Steps to Making Purchases

You have enough knowledge at the tips of your fingers to research and determine what products likely best fit your needs. While finding products is easy, finding the right solution is not. Let’s talk about how to find the right solutions for you. Follow three simple points and you’ll be sure your next purchase is one you won’t regret.

1 | Find the right partner, and vet them first

First and foremost, finding the right partner makes all the difference in the world. Choosing the right partner may be the difference between going back to the drawing board and starting over or fostering a long-term relationship you can rely on. 

You’re looking for a partner with integrity, honesty, and a reputation that backs those traits. You’ll need a partner with excellent service, one you know will be there when you need them even if that is 7 p.m. on a Friday or during a holiday. Problems inevitably occur; your partnersʼ service is how those are resolved. 

As well, one of the best ways to see oneʼs true colors is during a challenging time. Many are happy to court you for a sale; not everyone is there after the sale is completed and that is when the real work begins. If youʼre at a tradeshow, cruising the show floor or speaking with vendors ahead of time, ask them directly, what is the after-the-sale service like? What types of challenges have they faced and how were they resolved? If they tell you there’s never been a challenge or problem, that’s a red flag. 

2 | Set reasonable expectations for purchases

You get what you pay for. There’s nothing wrong with that when expectations are set accordingly. So long as you have the right expectations, you’re not going to be left disappointed. In the world of vertical edging equipment, a $45,000 edger is not the same as a $100,000 edger, even though they may both be 10-spindle vertical edgers. 

If you’ve found a partner with integrity, they will have no problem advising their solution may not be the right fit for your application.

They will not only listen but actually hear you, allowing them to recommend a solution that better fits your needs even when it is not their own. 

3 |To build trust, listen to your partners

If you’ve been honest with your expectations, and done the research to find a good partner, then you are well on your way to the third tip: building that relationship based on trust. Trust is a two-way street and it must go both ways to be successful. 

While you can be armed with knowledge from your research, it helps to listen should a partner give advice. You’ve determined they’re reputable and working with integrity; if they have suggestions, listen. It doesn’t mean you have to take the advice, but you should understand why they’re making suggestions. 

Trust is required to know they are considering your best interests, not their own. At DeGorter we’re built on trust. We are not here to sell you anything; our job is to inform you of the solutions we offer which fit your needs or to bring you solutions from others if we cannot meet your needs. Without our partners’ trust, we have nothing to offer. 

Companies from all parts of the glass and glazing industry have implemented innovative, out-of-the-box ideas to improve business from the ground up. Here’s an Idea showcases these sometimes small behind-the-scenes ideas that can make a big impact on a company’s bottom line. If you have an idea that you would like to share, contact Norah Dick, ndick@glass.org.