Quote Originally Posted by Blurock View Post
This is why a reputable supplier is so important.
A supplier is part of your value chain and can add so much to the effectiveness of your business.
Quality of products, integrity, level of service and ability to manage difficult situations is what makes a supplier stand out.
If you treat your supplier well and pay him on time, you may even lean on him in difficult times.

There are so many rats and mice and it is so easy to fall into the trap of "its cheaper at the China Mall."
However, I would rather build a relationship with a reliable supplier and pay a little more so that I can sleep at night.
I am taking about legit wholesalers ... I am fortunate ... because I dont have accounts but rather COD accounts (pay cash for my materials).

We have got to a point that customers are paying upfront in advance to book my time ... I am at a point where people who want a quote get removed from the list ... I do estimates for my good customer who need to budget for projects ... but no quotes for random customers.

I have considered employing more people ... but as I watch the news what is going on around me ... I am starting to wonder if its not time to start packing up and looking at relocating while I can still get something for my house and equipment.

I have had this idea in my head that the more people who leave just make people like myself (with my experience and qualifications) more valuable ... but day by day I am watching the smart people leave ... the fact that the SA is no longer on the red list ... all I see is family ... friends and customers waving goodbye ... many people I have spoken to have no intention of investing any more money in this country.