Full Version: Ad Specialties
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#73]
2 Apr 2005
To: LaZerDude (CHUCK_BURKE) [#72] Unread
Chuck,
You are well on your way. The UPIC is always the first stumbling block. The door will be wide open.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#74]
3 Apr 2005
To: Pete (AWARDMASTERS) [#68] 3 Apr 2005
Pete,
I have just gotten back into considering ad specialties as a diversification of American Pacific Awards.
On re-reading this thread, I found your post to Davd Takes with the link to your site.
I've done a couple of basic searches and am amazed at how low the prices are. Are you selling wholesale? Or are these prices your marked up prices? I'm just curious because they seem so low, and I would like to get a handle on whether I want to expand this way or not. Or am I just simply not in tune? ( Quite likely that is it. [insert laugh here])
Thanks Pete for all your helps and support.
From: Pete (AWARDMASTERS) [#75]
3 Apr 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#74] 3 Apr 2005
We normally sell retail at the standard markups by the manufacturer. Some would refer to these as the ASI coded prices. Those are the prices listed on our Promotional Products website. Keep in mind that the base prices listed are usually for just a one color imprint in one location. There are most often additional charges for things such as screen charges, art charges, additional color runs, etc..
Our portion of the manufacturers retail list price is usually in the 40% to 50% range. We usually get around 20% of addtional charges like screen charges, art, or running charges. This amount is normally reasonable since in most cases we are only doing a layout, color separations, etc for our part.
We use the SAGE database for our products and the admin panel does provide you the ability to set the pricing in a number of different ways to suit your personal needs.
I highly recommend SAGE to anyone getting into promotional products. They have a very large product database and can even host your website for you if you wish. It is not a free service, but it works and in my opinion it is much more complete than any of the free services. In addtion, they are helpful and professional. They also have an excellent credit card merchant program.
EDITED: 3 Apr 2005 by AWARDMASTERS
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#76]
3 Apr 2005
To: Pete (AWARDMASTERS) [#75] 3 Apr 2005
Pete,
Thank you for your response. I appreciate it.
Have you tried www.distributorcentral.com? I have been looking there a bit today.
With SAGE, it is about $500.00 per year, ( seems reasonable to me ). Do you get enough with that amount to run and grow a business? Or do you need to pay more once you are a member?
Thanks
From: Pete (AWARDMASTERS) [#77]
3 Apr 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#76] 3 Apr 2005
Chuck,
I have looked at the distributorcentral website. It appears that they have a very small product database at this time. The SAGE database is very complete.
SAGE offers a number of different programs. Without going back and looking it up (I may be wrong), the base membership is still $495 per year (I think it is only $395 if you use the CD version instead of the online version). This gives you online access to their database with detailed product and supplier information and complete search capability. It does not give your customer access - you would not want it to as it provides cost and profit information.
They offer what they call a "Webstore" which can be incorporated into your existing website or you can access it thru a URL to their server. This function is $395 per year, it is an option. This is the promotional product site you see if you go to our site at:
http://www.awardmasters.com/promo/promo.html
This site is designed for our customers use. They can place orders or request quotes there.
They offer several other functions, the only one of which we use is the credit card merchant program.
You can visit the SAGE website at www.sageworld.com for more details.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#78]
3 Apr 2005
To: Pete (AWARDMASTERS) [#77] 3 Apr 2005
Pete,
If I am understanding you correctly, through SAGE, I could get their webstore, which is an ecommerce site, and take orders through MY website?
How much business do you get this way? Do the suppliers drop ship? Or do the supplies send the product to you and you deliver?
Enquiring minds want to know.
Could I call you sometime and talk about this more in depth? If I may, when would be the best time, so as to not be an inconvenience?
Thank you again for your help and support.
From: Pete (AWARDMASTERS) [#79]
3 Apr 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#78] 3 Apr 2005
You can incorporate the Webstore into your site or run it on theirs. Orders and quotes are stored on their server and you receive and email notification to go out and pick up the info.
Most of our orders are thru the website. Most vendors will drop ship. There is some risk of vendors stealing your customers, but we have not had a real problem with that.
I forgot: Feel free to call me. There is never a time when I know I will not be busy, but if I can't talk I will just let you know.
EDITED: 3 Apr 2005 by AWARDMASTERS
From: roller coach (COACH) [#80]
4 Apr 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#1] 5 Apr 2005
We use Ad specialty items as part of our mix and are extremely pleased
We also offer ( since we're home based ) services to the trade outside our geography which is our #1 income producer... and as a result of this relationship were talked into offering ad specialties here on the treasure coast of Florida.
Remember there are asi people out there ordering awards and competing with the engravers market daily.. In fact oftentimes the most prestigious ( highest dollar ) awards are sold by ad specialty reps not necessarily by the engraving shops..
So to compete with your local asi reps may be a great thing..
I recommend all shop owners get out and visit their marketplace in person and see the need ... ( make a bungling presentation ) and then decide what works for them..
Sage ( www.qti.com ) has been our tool for 10+ years.. Requires no asi membership and all companies have accepted our credentials to purchase regardless of asi membership
Good Luck All..
Mike
( Cutting Edge ) www.gocutedge.com
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#81]
5 Apr 2005
To: roller coach (COACH) [#80] 5 Apr 2005
Mike
Thank you for your reply. I have applied for a UPIC #. Do I need to wait to get that before I can join sage?
Thanks
From: Pete (AWARDMASTERS) [#82]
5 Apr 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#81] 5 Apr 2005
No, SAGE is independent of UPIC. They will issue you one of their member numbers when you join. They do not care if you have a UPIC number or not.
From: roller coach (COACH) [#83]
5 Apr 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#81] 5 Apr 2005
no, no upic is required...
Sage is only a service you buy.. They have awesome websites to go along with their ad specialty search tools as well...
You spend nothing to join.. You're not a member , but an independent business person...
Please use my name... they have been very kind to me..
fyi,
Mike
if you need to contact me direct : info@gocutedge.com...
Good Luck !
From: UCONN Dave & Lynn too (DANDL48) [#84]
5 Apr 2005
To: roller coach (COACH) [#83] 5 Apr 2005
Coach,
What do you mean by, "You spend nothing to join"? I thought every user has to ante up?
Dave
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#85]
5 Apr 2005
To: roller coach (COACH) [#83] 5 Apr 2005
Mike,
Will the vendors that they represent sell to someone without a UPIC?
Thanks
From: Pete (AWARDMASTERS) [#86]
5 Apr 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#85] 5 Apr 2005
Chuck,
Yes, they will. The UPIC is nothing really necessary to have. It is helpful because many vendors recognize it.
Actually, almost all of the vendors recognize all of the US Treasury code numbers also - like $1, $5, $10, $20, and $100. Very few of them will turn those down :)
Seriously, you do not have to worry much about the vendors doing business with you. Most have an open policy. There are a very few who operate on a closed policy anymore.
From: Pete (AWARDMASTERS) [#87]
5 Apr 2005
To: UCONN Dave & Lynn too (DANDL48) [#84] 5 Apr 2005
Dave,
You do have to pay for their basic service, $495 or $395 depending on whether you use online or cd. Their other services are completely optional.
EDITED: 5 Apr 2005 by AWARDMASTERS
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#88]
5 Apr 2005
To: Pete (AWARDMASTERS) [#86] 5 Apr 2005
Pete,
Thank you. I have Treasury numbers...... only a few, but I've got them :)
Thanks
From: UCONN Dave & Lynn too (DANDL48) [#89]
5 Apr 2005
To: Pete (AWARDMASTERS) [#87] 5 Apr 2005
Thanks, I thought so.
Dave
From: Pete (AWARDMASTERS) [#90]
5 Apr 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#88] 5 Apr 2005
That is why they are so readily accepted - no one has enough of them :)
Most vendors will ask if you are ASI, but when you tell them you are a SAGE member, they will accept that even if they don't know who SAGE is. I think you will be happy with SAGE, they are very professional and have about 10 times more items in their database than the free services.
From: Pete (AWARDMASTERS) [#91]
5 Apr 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#88] 5 Apr 2005
One really important aspect of Promotional Products for you is that most of the vendors will drop ship to your customer and that opens up the entire mainland to you.
From: roller coach (COACH) [#92]
5 Apr 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#85] 5 Apr 2005
Chuck,
Check it with them.. but I have never had a problem..
I do not know or care what UPIC is ... I am in the personalization business as all of you are... that is the important thing...
Just use the Tropars, Owens , Barhills etc... as your references, because all of these companies have ASI personalization service as well...
Sages' vendors are ppai and asi vendors ....
The same vendors as with any ad specialty search tool service...
I have NEVER had a problem with doing business with any of them.
However that being said, one still needs to make sure the vendors will work properly ( ie: do their work on a timely and economically feasible basis ) .. I don't take anything for granted, I even double check the numbers ( prices etc... ) with each vendor I choose.
But I can tell you that Sage has made me thousands of dollars this year and I wouldn't be without it...
Best Regards,
Mike
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