Vendor Qualifications

Vendor qualifications

Asking detailed questions about ownership, finances and qualifications can be uncomfortable, but if you are outsourcing your critical marketing and advertising print message, the vendor should understand your needs without the added burden on you to research, investigate, explain and manage the production process.

We have taken the effort to define key attributes that we use to qualify each vendor. We understand the direct mail print process, and we have developed a network of qualified vendors that we partner with to provide quality services.

We base our vendor selection on the following attributes:

  1. Company History
    1. Age of Company
    2. Background of Principals
    3. Reputation in the Industry
    4. Unions ?
    5. Legal Issues
    6. Profitability
    7. Part of a Conglomerate; If so, how independent.
    8. Strategic Pricing Policy
    9. Mission Statement
    10. Long Term Plans Public or Private
  2. Employees
    1. Turnover/ Longevity Competency.
    2. Experience
    3. Race or Sex Issues
    4. Moral & Enthusiasm
    5. Employee Recognition System
    6. Employee Bonus Program (What Basis. Quality, Competency, Cost Savings? Etc.
    7. What type of rewards / incentive programs
  3. Service
    1. Average turn time on Estimates
    2. Voice mail issues.
    3. Appropriate use or Avoidance use.
    4. Response to unusual requests
    5. Competency of Customer Service and Estimators Adherence to Customer Operating Procedures
    6. Flexibility and Back-up.
    7. Return Call response time
    8. Type of Estimating System and Flexibility.
  4. Accounting
    1. Operating Procedures & Policies
    2. Structure & Flexibility
    3. Timely Invoicing and follow-up procedures
    4. Number of days out on Receivables
    5. Number of days out on Payables ( Payable Policies )
    6. Adherence to Customer Operating Procedures
    7. Discounts offered for prompt pay.
  5. Manufacturing
    1. Operations Management Experience
    2. Quality Assurance Program and Procedures
    3. Catastrophe Plans and Procedures
    4. Efficiencies
    5. Measurements and Policies
    6. Spoilage Measurements and Policies
    7. Material Usage Procedures
    8. Error Reporting and Follow-up
    9. Maintenance Routine and Procedures
    10. Schedule Flexibility
    11. Operating Shifts
    12. Buy-out Policies & Procedures
    13. Insurance coverage on in process production
  6. Equipment
    1. Type, Size, Models and Name
    2. Age
    3. Utility and Efficiency
    4. Flexibility
    5. Auxiliary Equipment or Attachments
    6. Back-up Capability
    7. Operating Shifts
    8. Unique production capabilities
    9. Ease of Repair
  7. Sales
    1. Competency and Experience of Staff
    2. Sales Support procedures & policies
    3. Involvement of Sales Staff
    4. Pricing Flexibility and Procedures
    5. Contact Ease
    6. Response Time
    7. Geographic Territory Protected Account Policies
  8. Facility
    1. Adequate size for operating and growth.
    2. Cleanliness
    3. Work Flow
    4. Organization
    5. Maintenance Location and Accessibility
  9. Accountability
    1. On time delivery records
    2. Adherence to published schedules
    3. Follow-up procedures with Customers
  10. Overall Impression