Choosing an equipment supplier for any business needs careful consideration, but when you rely on the supply of care equipment for the safety and comfort of your clients, it is doubly important. Your choice should be based on many factors, including reliability, quality, value for money and service, not by simply scanning suppliers’ price lists.
The best quality care equipment supplier will be one whose products and services most closely match or exceed your business needs, so take some time to consider what these needs are rather than being swayed into buying what a supplier wants to sell you.
What to Look for in a Supplier
When it comes to purchasing care equipment, time is often of the essence. Choosing a supplier who offers a fast delivery service can sometimes be more important than just the price of a piece of equipment. Because some items of care equipment are quite specialised, you may prefer to choose a supplier who has a large stock rather than one who will have to order things specifically for you. Naturally, quality is of paramount importance when selecting care equipment for your business, so your supplier should be one who sells high quality care equipment. Not only is good quality equipment more reliable, it also lasts longer and saves you money in the long term.
The financial security of a supplier can also have an impact on their reliability, so it may be worthwhile checking that your supplier’s cash flow is sufficient to ensure that they can deliver what you need, when you need it. A credit check can assure you that they are unlikely to go out of business suddenly. Remember, if your supplier lets you down, this can reflect on your business.
Good communication and honesty between you and your quality care equipment supplier is vital. If, for any reason, a delivery is likely to be delayed, you need to be given maximum notice so that you can make alternative arrangements if necessary. Good suppliers will want to discuss the needs of your business with you regularly to find out how they can serve you best.
Choosing your Suppliers
It is definitely worthwhile thinking about how many suppliers you actually need. Buying your supplies from a carefully selected group can benefit your business in several ways. Firstly, it is easier to control your supplies this way and secondly, as a regular customer, your business will be more important to them. There is also the possibility that you will be able to make a more advantageous deal if you spend more with a particular supplier.
However, it is still important that you keep your options open, as using only one supplier can mean that you are in a dangerous position if, for any reason, they let you down.
Find suppliers through recommendations from friends or business acquaintances, rather than simply from directories or advertisements. This will mean that you receive an honest and objective assessment of their strengths and weaknesses. After all, a quality care equipment supplier is essential to your business.