Why the cheapest merchandise quote is not always the best value
Updated: Sep 26
If you have two quotes for the same product in front of you and the cheaper one looks like the obvious choice, this is worth five minutes before you decide.
Say you have had two quotes for the same mug. One is for £1.20 a unit, the other for £1.45. Easy decision, right?
Sometimes it is. But before you go with the cheaper one, make sure you are not comparing apples with oranges.
First, check you are comparing like with like
There is often a real reason for the difference, and it is not always obvious from the quote itself. It might be:
a different mug, and often an inferior one
a different, cheaper branding method
delivery by trackable courier on one quote and 2nd class post on the other
The cheaper option might still be good enough for this campaign. But it costs you nothing to go back to the more expensive supplier and ask them why. A good supplier will be happy to tell you, and then you can make an informed decision.
When the quotes really are the same, look at what comes with them
Price is just one part of value, and a good supplier adds value that can't always be measured in pounds and pence.
Payment terms. Beware of the supplier who insists on payment upfront. A good supplier will only invoice you once the order has been delivered and you're 100% happy with it, because they are confident you will be.
When something goes wrong. Can you pick up the phone and speak to a human being who will drop everything to put it right in time for your event? Or do you send an email and get an out-of-office saying somebody will come back to you within 24 hours, by which time you've probably missed the event anyway?
Delivery. A trackable courier with a timed slot, or the post and "well, we sent it" when it doesn't turn up?
A quick checklist before you choose
Is it the same product, to the same specification?
Is it the same branding method?
Does each price include setup, origination and delivery?
When will you be asked to pay?
Who do you speak to if something goes wrong, and how quickly?
None of this means the cheaper quote is the wrong one. There are advantages and disadvantages with every type of supplier, including us. But make your decision based on value, not just price.
If you have a bunch of quotes in front of you and can't tell the difference between them, call us on 0800 086 2552. We will give you a breakdown of the differences and the pros and cons of each one.
Questions people also ask
Why is one merchandise quote so much cheaper than another?
Usually there is a simple reason, and it is worth finding before you decide. Most often it is a different product, a different branding method, or one supplier quoting an all-in price while the other quotes a unit price that leaves out setup, origination and delivery. If the product and the branding really are the same, the cheaper supplier probably has a different business model, such as an online company that does everything through its website and works on lower margins. There are advantages and disadvantages of every type of supplier, including us.
What should a merchandise quote include?
The unit price, whether VAT is on top, and whether setup, origination and delivery are included. It should also say when you will be asked to pay. Our own quotes are written as 99p + VAT per unit, price includes setup, origination and delivery, and we do not invoice until the order has been delivered and you are happy with it. If a quote does not say, ask.
Are online merchandise companies cheaper?
On a standard product in a standard colour, a T-shirt, a mug or a pen, an online company will usually be cheaper than a supplier like us, and there is nothing wrong with using one for that. They sell the same products from the same factories, but everything is done through the website, on far more orders and lower margins. The difference shows when you want something you cannot find in a catalogue, when the brief changes halfway through, or when something goes wrong and you need to speak to a person who will sort it out.
Who we are
GB Merchandise is a UK promotional merchandise supplier built for agencies, with offices in St Albans and Manchester. Gary Bucci founded it after working on the agency side and then for a merchandise distributor. The work agencies bring us is usually the work other suppliers won't touch: the bespoke product, the complicated brief, the order that has to land at fifty addresses. We do not invoice until the order has been delivered and you are happy with it. More on our About page, or call us on 0800 086 2552 (St Albans) or 0800 086 2554 (Manchester).