Ignoring the sales from non-accredited landscapers and/or designers is commercial suicide.
We've had our fair share of discussions concerning accreditation over the years.
Some people say it's the only way forward for the landscape industry and small groups strive to push the be the accredited group of choice.
However I wonder if this fixation with accreditation is sustainable?
What I mean by that is, if product suppliers advocated the use of accredited landscapers only, how could they then position themselves to sell their products to non-accredited landscape companies? It would be commercial suicide to promote accreditation over non-accreditation.
I don't have the figures but my instinct tells me that non-accredited (and I use that term only as a title and not as a recognition of the groups who apply it) landscapers and designers buy the majority of landscaping materials. If a product supplier relied solely on the business of accredited businesses they's surely go hungry.
In my view it is time to promote good business practice and track records over accreditation. After all, if landscape groups cannot agree amongst themselves what is the scheme of choice, what chance has suppliers of pasting their colours to the accreditation mast?
One last thought:
Cowboy builders and rogue traders buy landscaping materials. What lengths to product suppliers go to to ensure that they only sell to reputable businesses?
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I don't think for one minute they do ignore non-accredited landscapers, I can think of at least 3 companies off the top of my head who manufacture and supply paving who are pro active in their quest to promote their products to anyone
>>>What lengths do product suppliers go to to ensure that they only sell to reputable businesses?
non I would of thought, as long as the product is paid for before it leaves the merchants yard they will supply to anyone regardless of who they are
Hi Phil,
I feel suppliers are promoting sales to all sectors; private consumers, suppliers to trades, trades with or without accreditation and commercial enterprises.
The offering of accredited installers supports and promotes good business practices as it sets a standard for that companies products.
It also offers an element of peace of mind and reduces risk for the recipient of the product that if they use an accredited installer, the company or individual has been assessed and understands how to install the product.
It is the responsibility of the consumer to do their due diligence on products and services they engage; it is not the responsibility of car manufacturers to ensure the person driving the car is capable or has the correct insurances etc. When you buy a car, you look at the particular cars service history, general performance in the trade mags regarding the car type, maybe talk to friends who have similar cars etc but if you buy it off a bloke who only wants cash, won't meet at his home or business place and won't offer a receipt instead of a garage... then buyer beware! Why would it be different in our business?
One of my suppliers no longer offers trade, as their prices are cut to the bone for any customer who walks through the door, retail or otherwise. They can't avoid the fact that the internet means customers find them directly, rather than going to B&Q or Wyevale, but they are also having to compete in a difficult market.
There's not a lot of mark-up to play with in a bulk-bag of topsoil, delivered.
Yeah that's my experience of the building yard i use, they are cheap as chips.
They are always cheaper than the big boys like B&Q too
Phil I'm not sure who your post is aimed at?
I'm not entirely sure what this is about either. Surely a suppliers main objective is to supply as much of his product as possible. Who buys it.......who cares? It's the customer who ultimately pays for the product and they decide who is suitable to carry out their job. Too much meddling already!
Often it is a very difficult thing to ascertain who you are supplying. We at Phoenix Amenity Supplies Ltd, maintain a trade discount for our customers. However as trade supplies becomes an ever more competitive business - trying to run an ethical operation is an area for concern. Obviously you want to help the landscaping industry customer out as much as possible by supplying the best prices to that bone fide trade customer - the problem arises when your competitors are not doing the same and when anyone can set up an internet company from their garage and start undercutting your prices. Competition is a duel edged sword, it drives prices down but cuts margins to the minimum which often means that ethical selling has to be sacrificed for just keeping your head above water in the profitablilty stakes.
Agree that it difficult to turn down any custom. Years ago (pre-internet)it was more of a task finding wholesale suppliers (trade only) so most private and non savvy traders would go to the larger retail outlets for their stock. Nowadays with the onset of internet search engines, anyone who is anyone can find any product, and if they have the money then no business in the right mind would turn it down. The internet has essentially given everyone a high street that is infinite in it's size (a super highway of horticultural products) It sure has made for an extremely competitive market. To answer the original question then if we had a choice then as a wholesale company I would be strict to only sell to genuine accredited trade companies. Unfortunately we really don't have the luxury of a choice nowadays. If the punter has the money more fool us if we don't oblige.
Anna Taylor said:
I have to agree with Boultons Nurseries. You want to supply acredited companies only - but it is not practicable in today's reality.
@ Boultons Nurseries & Anna
How are you defining accredited? Do you mean that the buyer has to prove they are a bona fide business i.e. registered with the inland revenue to trade as such or accredited by a private members organisation?
Yes Phil, any company that can show they are associated with organizations such as BALI or have a good track record of trading within the industry. A letter headed paper with an address, and or a company registry would also be acceptable. We rarely if ever serviced customers without one or all of the above (any private individual always purchased through a trade persons account on recommendations etc), nowadays however it matters very little.
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