MkII Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 I think it was at least partly aimed at me... and I disagree with Bossman I was being honest about my opinion of what the post author had written. I didn't think it was discourteous at all. Like I said above, I felt the line was being over-stepped.
Elky Posted November 3, 2006 Author Posted November 3, 2006 Ok. It seems the most popular way of suppliers reaching you is through the good old fashioned way of a brochure, leaflet or flyer through the post. 3 times a year, we print a small A5 brochure just showcasing some of the products we offer. We then mail this to 42000 educational establishments nationwide. It is wrapped in clear polystyrene with the address on the back, marked FAO The IT Manager. We think that an extremely large number of these don't ever make it past the secretary, receptionist etc which is why we like to then follow up with a phone call to try and find out if it reached the IT department. Sending out this many brochures is very costly so we like to make sure it's got to the intended person. Are there any ways we can improve on the way we send this or whose attention we mark it for etc so it has more chance of reaching you? Obviously the more brochures we can get through to the IT departments, the less we have to try and follow these up. Again, any comments will be appreciated. Dan
bossman Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 mark: i will be as honest as you and yes it was aimed at you, not in a bad way may i say as i do believe you were being honest in your reply. It was the manner in which i percieved you had come across in, i think we ourselves are better mannered than some of the other so called professional people we come into contact with, and in being so we should be courtious and professional and not stoop to their level of unprofessionalism ok.
witch Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 In my case, I do not like taking phone calls, partly coz I am always busy, but mostly because I get pushed by the caller and I am not in a position to give a decision about equipment, etc. When I have a requirement, I research it and produce a shortlist which I submit to my boss. I find email the best contact, as I will always read it, and I keep details of things that I think may be of interest in the future. Re sending out brochures, sometimes school websites list staff names so you can be more accurate. At least then the IT manager throws it away rather than the receptionist!! Getting other schools to agree to using their name would be a good one, as I would be interested in some kit that a local school had used, as I could contact them and see if they are pleased with it. BUT GET THEIR PERMISSION FIRST!!!! And PLEASE don't ring me when I have said there is nothing going on. A quick contact email is best. I think that's it. May I say that I think this topic is a good one, and I am pleased to see suppliers trying to tailor their services to our needs, rather than the other way around. And the original post was polite and deferential.
MkII Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 mark: i will be as honest as you and yes it was aimed at you, not in a bad way may i say as i do believe you were being honest in your reply. It was the manner in which i percieved you had come across in, i think we ourselves are better mannered than some of the other so called professional people we come into contact with, and in being so we should be courtious and professional and not stoop to their level of unprofessionalism ok. Point taken bossman. No probs. but I hate sale people!!! - sorry - alter ego slipped out
Elky Posted November 3, 2006 Author Posted November 3, 2006 Point taken bossman. No probs. but I hate sale people!!! - sorry - alter ego slipped out Thats a very strong word! We aren't all bad trust me. We just want to earn a living as much as you do I'd like nothing more than to just sit back and watch the business come rolling in. This means I wouldn't have to try to contact any of you asking for business which in turn means you are a lot happier because you aren't being bothered by sales people. I'm afraid the IT market isn't that simple though - if only!
MkII Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 We just want to earn a living as much as you do Smile ...as the porn star said to the archbishop
webman Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 There are varying levels of salespeople. Some are incredibly pushy and tout for business all of time, regarless of how many times you tell them we have no budget and no projects this year. Some of them stay in the background and offer a good service as and when we need and use them. Take Ash Distribution. We never get phone calls from, but we receive their leaflet every month and have a flick through - making a mental note of what's inside. Next time we need something, we'll (usually 8)) remember where it is and check the price and take it from there. We can't stand those letters though.... you know, the ones like... Are you tired of such-and-such? Blah blah blah.... we can off your a superb deal on something, our service is the best in the universe, teachers love us!! We'll never be beaten!! Call 0906 111222 for a quote now!!!! They go straight in the bin
SuppliesSaviour Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 I like this as I work for a supplier as well. The thing for me is that I was abandoned at 14 and left school with no qualifications (even though I have an IQ of 158) I am now in a position where this is what I do for a job so I can provide for my family, I do my best, I work hard, never let my customers down, truly have a desire to help and provide a quality service as I know what it feels like to be let down. But am finding it difficult to contact potential customers too. I appreciate that you guys are being contacted all the time by suppliers but the way I am treated sometimes is as if I am trying to steal something or rip somebody off. I am simply trying to make a living and save people money. Can any of you guys suggest something that hasnt been suggested already that may help me to at least be offered the chance to quote on price? any responses will be greatly appreciated. P.S, Please forgive the sob story but its all true and it sometimes hurts when people are so harsh with you.
Elky Posted November 3, 2006 Author Posted November 3, 2006 P.S, Please forgive the sob story but its all true and it sometimes hurts when people are so harsh with you. Woah! Either this is someone extracting the urine or you clearly aren't cut out for a job in sales! No offence meant!
SuppliesSaviour Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 LOL If you can stay positive after a childhood like that then sales is the only job for you. Plus "I got no place else to gooooo!!!" lol, Really I'm just trying to get the sympathy vote cos I'm having a bad day oh and in response to the comment about sales people with technical skills, I would (in my humble opinion) class myself as one of these, I am a proper geek, I sleep next to my pc, I live and breathe technology. Oh my god, I just made myself feel even worse lol
webman Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 Don't worry SuppliesSaviour, I'm sure there's a few of us on here that does the same, me included. One of our members also has a fetish for all things related to ironing.
GrumbleDook Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 hmmm ... ironing .... As some people may be aware I live for being a geek. I wear O'Really t-shirts ... I can tell people the codename for each Mac when it appears on a US spy drama with a star who always ends up dressed in lingerie or when used by a young, lesbian witch ... I can snigger at geeky jokes that Rob Moir makes ... I can wave my chicken whilst knowing I will never be good enough for The Monastery. I have even taken different photos of myself to do a t-shirt design of GeekSpotting. I am a Geek and I'm proud of it!!!
john Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 Does having 18 PCs count me as a Geek I wonder, I also wear errorware shirts as well as MS stuff......
webman Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 Yes john, it does I have a few items of clothing that contain Tux, Ubuntu, and a few geek quotes (as seen on ThinkGeek.com)
Joedetic Posted November 4, 2006 Posted November 4, 2006 Admitting you're a geek is cool...but people keep telling me i'm not a geek The multitool that is always attached to my belt and the 3 computers, 24-port LAN switch and 14 million LAN patch leads in my room at uni should surely give that away? (And the fact that i'm posting on EduGeek @ 0246hrs on a friday night!!)
webman Posted November 4, 2006 Posted November 4, 2006 Nice one Joedetic You need to do more to persuade people that you are one
Joedetic Posted November 4, 2006 Posted November 4, 2006 LOL technically i'm not so much of an edugeek at the moment as a geek in edu. But we'll see what the future holds
SuppliesSaviour Posted November 7, 2006 Posted November 7, 2006 ok, back to the original thread topic, I am currently designing a mailshot based on the opinions of you guys. I had an epiphany over the weekend, what a moment of genius, well maybe that a bit too self congragulatory. I was thinking it would be nice if I put something useful in my mailshot such as a chart or list or form or something of that nature, so at least what I am sending may be of some use to people like you. I am asking for suggestions on this, anything you can think of, no matter how abstract, let me know what you think. It has to be useful though. examples may be, list of useful phone numbers, some sort of diagram, a chart to fill in when performing a task, a hexidecimal ref chart, etc etc, you know, that sort of thing. thanks in advance.
MkII Posted November 7, 2006 Posted November 7, 2006 top selling hardware (to schools/ techs) from most popular categories > PCs, monitors, printers manufacturers special offers, just extremely basic details - tho' does that change depending on vendor? cheat sheet to counter the usual sales schpiel/ cheat sheet
SuppliesSaviour Posted November 7, 2006 Posted November 7, 2006 lol, yeah you just say, we're happy thanks, we get everything we need at excellent prices from Supplies saviour, also the service is excellent. thanks for the suggestion though I know this might be pointless due to google but how about a list of all the major manufacturers support lines and other contact details?
MkII Posted November 7, 2006 Posted November 7, 2006 I know this might be pointless due to google but how about a list of all the major manufacturers support lines and other contact details? Yeah - that could be useful
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