Distributor relationships

[Laundry_Mike]

I'm sure that everyone has read something somewhere or another about building a relationship with your local distributor. I am curious as to if the majority of you do have a special relationship with one distributor, or shop around different distributors before making a purchase. 20 years ago salesmen used to stop in my stores on a regular basis. It became easy to develop a personal relationship with that person, and they in turn gave me good service, advice, and fair prices for my loyalty. Today it is much less personal. The only time I see a salesperson is when I call wanting to purchase new equipment. This leads me to the point of; what value do I receive from sending all my business to one distributor, as to shop around competing distributors for the same product. As the US economy has moved to a global economy, I see the coin op business moving from a local to a nationwide market. I've even bought new equipment over the internet without any human contact or phone communication. Is this the way you see the business heading, or do you find value in dealing with one local distributor, and if so what value do they provide you with?

[SecretarytoBraveDave]

Mike,

BD was a loyal buyer to the same distributor for 15 years. No haggles over price, never questioned the information he was given. He trusted this person completley. Of course this was until this man invested in a store 1 mile from us. There were lies and deceit. Feelings of distrust. There has not been, nor will their be another peice of equipment purchased from this company. All equipment purchased since has been price driven, as well as customer service driven as well. There is no loyalty given anymore, price, attitude and delivery methods as well as price are all considered. Then and only then is a decision made. There is no loyaty anymore.

[Jim_F]

I disagree that there is no loyalty anymore. You can find dishonest people everywhere. It's unfortunate, but you don't have to look very far for them, you really have to look for the honest ones. They are out there.

I've bought from the same distributor and I know there is a loyalty there. I get the best price on parts and equipment because I buy everything from them. I know I do because I check around to be sure. They are not in the business of building their own stores and if they did I would not buy there anymore.

[RWSmith]

I've been using the same sales person for the last twenty years. I have dragged him all over SE Florida looking at locations and asking his opinion. He has even discouraged me from building a laundry because he did not think it would do enough volume. If you can find someone like that its a no brainer to buy equipment from him.

[PeterH]

My distributor is a no-nonsense guy who was tremendously helpful and supportive while researching this business and getting started. While he is no longer an "authorized" distributor, I still go to him for my equipment because I know I will get good prices, installation and on-going service. The official "authorized" dealer for the brand of equipment I prefer is a wink-wink-nudge-nudge kind of guy that I don't feel I can trust.

[Smoke_Some_Kill]

They're all crooks.