RFQ's have been coming in HOT...so let's turn our attention to Vendors.

Vendor: A Definition You Didn’t Know You Needed?

Let’s be clear—we love our vendors.? When they communicate well, deliver on time, and provide fair pricing, they make our jobs easier, our projects smoother, and our customers happier.

But then… there are the other vendors. You know the ones. The ones who treat an RFQ like a suggestion, a deadline like a maybe, and a price like a mystery box that changes daily.?

So, in honor of all our vendor experiences—the good, the bad, and the “Are you serious?” we present:

vendor (noun)

ven·dor | ?ven-d?r, ?ven-?d?r

1. Standard Definition:

A company or individual that supplies goods or services to another business.

2. Industrial Controls Definition:

A mysterious entity that takes weeks to provide a quote, offers shifting lead times, and raises prices just before delivery.

3. Alternative Sarcastic Definitions:

(a) A professional ghosting service with an email signature.

(b) A supplier who insists that your order is “on track” despite no evidence.

(c) A firm that offers two pricing options: expensive and even more expensive with expedite fees.

Real-Life Example Usage:

1.? “We sent the RFQ to the vendor three weeks ago. Should we send a search party?” ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

2. ? “Our vendor’s lead time was 4 weeks… 8 weeks ago.”

3.? ?“I love when vendors send us a revised quote after we already bid the job.”

How Do We Fix This?

We joke, but let’s be real, vendor responsiveness is a major pain point in our industry. Here are three ways vendors can step up: ?? Transparent Pricing - No last-minute “adjustments.” ?? Consistent Communication - A quick “we got your request” email isn’t that hard. ?? Realistic Lead Times - If it’s 12 weeks, don’t say 6 and hope for the best.

What’s Your Worst Vendor Experience?

Let’s hear it - comment below with the most absurd vendor excuse you’ve ever heard!

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