Full Version: Ad Specialties

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

Chuck,
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

Chuck,
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


From: UncleSteve [#93]
 5 Apr 2005
To: Pete (AWARDMASTERS) [#91] 5 Apr 2005

And open YOUR customer base up to some suppliers.....

Just be careful when dropshipping!

Remember, when dropshipping "some" suppliers have their return address on the boxes and if your customer is less than ethical, they just might try to buy their next order direct.

EDITED: 5 Apr 2005 by UNCLESTEVE


From: roller coach (COACH) [#94]
 5 Apr 2005
To: UCONN Dave & Lynn too (DANDL48) [#84] 5 Apr 2005

You don't Join Sage.. It's a service you buy period... There are no requirements to purchase.. other than to buy the service

We spend appx $495 x 2 ( 1. for the online search tool , which includes online quotations etc... 2. for the website including monthly hosting. )

Check it out at www.qti.com ( or take our link from our site )
www.gocutedge.com.

Good Luck


From: Pete (AWARDMASTERS) [#95]
 5 Apr 2005
To: UncleSteve [#93] 5 Apr 2005

It is true that some vendors in the promotional products arena work both sides of the street wholesale and retail. In general, we have felt that the convience is worth the risk of losing an occasional customer. Part of that is because we sell almost completely from our websites and there is limited customer loyalty in any case. Our customer never gets to meet us and see how handsome and dashing we are. For all they know I could be a 62 year fat guy. (Maybe I got that reversed - I think I am a 62 year old fat guy.)

 


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