After writing yesterday about Christmas comes early to us and talking a little bit about the trade shows I went to bed last night thinking about something that happened to me at the Christmas Trade fair this year that I always found a little amusing with one of our suppliers so I though I would share the Story.
We deal with quite a few suppliers who are all lovely in the there own way and we have a fantastic relationship with them. We choose our suppliers carefully and the thing that tends to win us over is good service and more importantly quality of the products.
Back in Jan 2010 when we went to our first big trade fair and as I explained earlier Betty was dragging me around all day and after many meetings with suppliers, placing orders drinking too much coffee and quality street (They all put little bowls of quality street on the tables and I just cant help myself) I’m generally starting to feel worn down. When we came across a delightful trade stand, Betty’s eyes lit up and in she went.
We were met by this charming gentleman who went on to show us the products in great detail. Explained the inspiration for the designs and how the company was started and where they are today. This chap seemed to make us feel very special and the products were just fantastic Betty couldn’t help herself and a very large order was placed. The order was signed by Betty for us and Mr Graham for the supplier. The chap advised that for all future orders we would be allocated an account manager which we have built a fantastic relationship with and the brand continues to be one of our top sellers all year round. We have since at other trade shows always had a appointment time with them now where we meet our account manager, get a cup of coffee and they fill ME full of quality street and Betty places very large orders with them, no hassle no fuss lovely company.
This year Jan 2011 towards the end of a Sunday afternoon we arrived at the said trade stand for our 4pm appointment our account manager comes out and meets us offers us the normal coffee me and tea for the lady wife and a hand full of quality street to keep me entertained and off Betty goes on another buying spree. Tired i decided to go and sit on a chair outside of the stand and watch the mighty Manchester United commentary on my blackberry with my coffee and leave them to it.
After about 5 or 10 Min’s I was approached by this lady that was floating around she asked if I was waiting for somebody. I explained that my wife was in the trade stand buying products for this Christmas, She asked why wasn’t i joining her and I went to explain that that I’m quite happy for Betty to just go forth and purchase without my input, the products and the quality is just fantastic and the brand name itself sells the products for us and I’m quite comfortable with any amount she spends. We then went on the have a good 40 min conversation about football of all things. The lady was very knowledgeable and after a whole day of meetings this was a breath of fresh air. At the end she said it was a pleasure meeting me but she had to go and off into the sunset she went.
Looking at my watch and realising Betty had now been in the stand for an hour I went to find her. Betty asked where id been and i explained about talking to this lady outside, where to my surprise our account manager said “Yes Gisela has a habit of doing that”.
Even though Betty deals with them all year round I have one up her, I’ve met both the owners and on both occasions had no idea who they were. Lovely people, Lovely Brand.