10 questions you should ask a potential shoe manufacturer to identify a good one
1. What sets your company apart from the rest?
1). The first thing you should look for when identifying a “good” manufacturer is a clear understanding of what makes them unique. Do they offer a superior product or service? If so, great! But even if they don’t, it’s important to understand how they define themselves. To me, a clear understanding of who/what the manufacturer allows me to better understand the value of doing business with them
1). The first thing you should look for when identifying a “good” manufacturer is a clear understanding of what makes them unique. Do they offer a superior product or service? If so, great! But even if they don’t, it’s important to understand how they define themselves. To me, a clear understanding of who/what the manufacturer allows me to better understand the value of doing business with them.
2). What makes your product or service different?
This is the second most important question you should ask. After all, if they can’t explain what makes their product or service different, how can you? And don’t fall into the trap of assuming you already know the answer. If they can’t articulate it, you need to find out how they define it. You should also press the manufacturer for specifics. Don’t be afraid to ask questions like, “How does your insole differ from the ones made by other manufacturers?” Or, “How do you make sure the insole is properly aligned with your shoe?”
3). What are your greatest strengths?
What sets a good manufacturer apart from a great one is the ability to focus on and highlight their greatest strength. You do this by asking them questions like, “What do you do best?” Or, “What aspect of your business is most important to you?” The goal here is to understand what the manufacturer cares about most. If you can identify that, you’ll be able to craft a sales pitch that speaks directly to that concern.
4). How much do you charge for your products?
Most manufacturers won’t tell you what they charge for their products upfront. They will, however, let you know if you ask. The way to ask is, “What is your selling price for an average unit of your product?” Don’t expect a clear answer. It’s not their job to make it easy for you. Instead, you should press the manufacturer for specifics. You should also ask why they can’t or won’t tell you. Are they hiding something? Did they get a better offer from another company? You might be surprised at the answer.
2. How many years have you been in business?
Look for a company that has been around for at least a few years. A reliable brand will have weathered the initial storm of trying to get going, will have gained enough customer loyalty and financial stability to weather the down times when a new entrepreneur may have difficulty paying the rent. An established reliable brand is also a safer bet when it comes to returns and refunds.
3. Who are your major competitors?
When considering a new supplier of shoes, a key consideration for the buyer is how well they understand their competitors. If a potential shoe supplier does not understand what they are up against, it can limit their ability to provide a high-quality product.
4. How many employees do you have?
It’s important to ask these questions early in the sales process, as they give you insight into what the company will look like and what kind of support and advice you can expect from your prospective vendor. A great answer to this question is a minimum of 2,000 employees.
5. Do you offer any kind of customized services?
So if you’re looking at shoe manufacturers and considering whether or not to purchase your shoes from them, the first thing you should be doing is asking yourself if they have any kind of customization services. If you are looking to get custom-made shoes, there are certain things you need to consider before deciding who to work with. The first and most important thing is going to be the price. You want to make sure that the cost of having your shoe customized is affordable, but that the service you’re offered will also be quality.
6. Where are your shoes manufactured?
A shoe manufacturer is not just about the material that goes into making the product. They are about the people who make the product. They should care about what the consumer wants. A great company will have great communication between the product development team and the customer service team. They will listen to the customer and help solve problems. A company with these traits is more likely to create a quality product. It will also stand out amongst the crowd.
7. Will you give me a price break if I become a customer?
To identify a great shoe manufacturer, one must ask a critical question: Will you give me a price break if I become a customer? Why it’s a question you should ask a potential shoe manufacturer to identify a good one. This may sound like a strange question, but it’s extremely important to identify the right kind of company to work with in order to create a win-win situation. You want to work with a company that wants to make you a happy customer. This means they will provide value to you. And they’ll do their best to give you the best price available, not just any price available.
8. What is your return policy?
This question is a great one to find out what sort of return policy a company has. Most online retailers are pretty liberal with returns, and will gladly exchange something for free if you find it doesn’t fit or just isn’t quite right. Others will require you to pay for return shipping. If you want to return an item from Amazon for a refund, for example, you can either mail it back or use their online return system.
9. What Type Of Quality Control Systems Do You Have In Place?
If you want to know what type of quality control systems a shoe manufacturer has in place, you should ask that question of a potential factory. A good quality control system helps ensure that your products are of high quality and will perform according to the specifications. This will help increase sales, reduce customer complaints, and help you avoid litigation.
10. What is your normal lead time from order to shipment?
If you’re working with a supplier, it’s vital that you know how quickly they can fulfill your order. It’s also important to know what the lead times are for each stage of the production process, and how long it takes to get from the initial order to when the product is shipped to the customer.
In conclusion, when you go into any business with the expectation that they’ll make your life easier, you are bound to be disappointed. It’s a fact of life. The trick is finding a company where you can be happy with the level of service, support, and overall experience that you get. That’s why it’s so important to ask a lot of questions to identify the type of supplier that you want to work with.
