ASK FRAN


The “Guru” of the ad specialty world draws from her vast wisdom to offer practical advice to clients facing a variety of problems and challenges.

Going, Going, Almost Gone

Dear Fran
My vendor slipped up with our logo and the ink is chipping off. She’s apologized but hasn’t offered to replace it or discount much. How do you handle?
LK

Dear LK
If the order is rushed and there’s not sufficient time for the ink to dry, this can happen. Supplier likely did not tell your vendor and this is the first they’re hearing of it. Most suppliers stand behind their work, as should the vendor. Let your vendor fight with factory if need be as they’ll likely either credit or redo the order or vendor would have to swallow.
Fran

Writer’s Cramp

Dear Fran
When I ask my vendor for a pen, why are there so many questions about that simple request?
SL

Dear SL
Here’s what I get when I search for pens; 60,090 results from 1,169 Suppliers. Does that answer the question?
Fran

Store with More

Dear Fran
How can I streamline the process of ordering promo merchandise for what it seems like shows every other day and requests from the field for swag for each event?
MP

Dear MP
Setting up a company store to service calendared (and non-calendared) events is not difficult at all. Avoid misuse of the brand, control your shipping costs and eliminate the constant scrambling and stress. No upfront inventory, contracts or costs. Over the decades I’ve created and managed dozens of stores. It’s easier than you think and everyone wins.
Fran

Getting Ship-Shape

Dear Fran
My vendor uses my FedEx account for my orders and samples. Why can’t they use their own?
GG

Dear GG
The best rates are negotiated within your company and the more you ship, the better the rate. Depending on the existing rates, yours are likely better. And, did you know that most vendors mark up freight? As for samples, many times they cannot (or won’t) be returned. I’ll usually pay for samples but ask my customers to pay the freight since most times the samples need to be expedited and overnight fees are insane.
Fran

Swag Overboard

Dear Fran
I have been receiving so many solicitations which include costly gifts that I’m starting to become overloaded with swag I didn’t ask for or receive. How to make it stop?
SB

Dear SB
Create a blanket email such as “Thank you for the lovely unsolicited gift. I am donating it to charity and I hope they can take advantage of it and benefit someone else”.
Fran

Bid For Your Life

Dear Fran
My company forces me to get three bids and they don’t understand it’s not always best to use cheapest vendor. They also don’t place a value on relationships which is not my style. Thoughts?
MP

Dear MP
You have a few choices and one of them is to play the game and provide lowest bid to your favorite vendor and ask them to match or beat so everyone is happy. If the idea is original and you work for a company that doesn’t respect original ideas, the writing is on the wall.
Fran

Vendor Dead-Ender

Dear Fran
I’ve been with the same vendor for many years but lately I feel ignored and unappreciated. I give him so much business and loyalty but I think he has too many other “friends” and not enough time for me. How can I move forward?
MH

Dear MH
It’s neither productive nor fun to feel unappreciated or uninspired. Let your vendor know that you plan on seeking the attention of another and give him the opportunity to earn the business rather than take the order. Reach out to a new source and challenge them to perform. Compare the experience and then decide which way to go.
Fran

Stuck in the Mud

Dear Fran
As a new employee, I was directed to use their current vendor and frankly, I’m less than enthused. Lack of creativity and response time. I’m so busy, I need an alternate brain for upcoming marketing needs and he’s not it. How have others handled this?
TS

Dear TS
I’ve experienced this obstacle multiple times. It will take some careful maneuvering but I haven’t had a bad outcome yet. Many buyers will have their own p-card or are able to use their credit card and get reimbursed. One of my clients is a F100 company and we’ve worked this way for over a decade.

Sometimes the process to become an approved vendor is not as complicated as you might think. You can request paperwork from finance, sometimes without resistance, and a few minutes worth of paperwork for both the vendor and buyer and it’s done. You may not be the only buyer at your new company uninspired and you might get a few “thanks” from your peers and show off some great new swag.
Fran

Yakkity Yak, Don’t Talk Back

Dear Fran
My vendor is great but often times there are too many emails and calls about a project. How can I let her know gently, to minimize the communication?
CR

Dear CR
For starters, “too many emails” should do the trick. There are many details that come up that need to be addressed. If you give the vendor the authority to make their own decisions with regard to branding and products, you’ll hear from them less. Often times we’re given little details for budget, deadlines, and sometimes even messaging. To add to it details change like addresses and how many to send where. The deadline, budget and messaging will drive the giveaway.
Fran

Clock In – Clock Out

Dear Fran
I’m frustrated with my vendor pool. My day does not stop at 5 or 6 pm and a lot of times I’ll have ideas or questions after hours. It’s frustrating to not be able to brainstorm or get details needed for Monday when it’s 4pm on a Friday and no sign of life from the vendor. Is it wrong of me to want to work extended hours?
CJ

Dear CJ
I love it when I hear about this problem. We’ve been in the promo space since 1992. I took a nine minute maternity leave for first born and no time off for our second. I worked thru nursing and vacations. I’ve received hundreds of communication from midnight-7am, on weekends and holidays. We love it and are appreciative of the work.
Fran

What’s Hot?

Dear Fran
I’m looking at a series of upcoming workshops and want to find the perfect giveaway to hand out to the executives. What is the latest and greatest?
BG

Dear BG
The latest and greatest is more in the application vs the item itself. The latest and greatest will pretty much assure you that you won’t be the only ones giving it out at the show. There are items when used effectively that should be sure winners but more information about your product, messaging, booth space and audience would be needed in order to make best suggestion. And then there’s the all important budget.
Fran

Calgon Take Me Away

Dear Fran
My boss is driving me crazy. He changes his mind every other minute and just when I think the event is wrapped up, POOF goes the budget and POOF goes the creativity. My vendor has been working on this project for months, how do I break it to her that it’s just gone, dead as a door nail?
TL

Dear TL
Try this as the subject header and see if they can read into it. UGH
Fran

Brain Drain

Dear Fran
The process of getting anything approved around here is foreboding and it just makes me want to say nothing but “yes, the wheel is a great idea for the next show.” and move on.
I hate being mediocre but it’s an uphill battle working for engineers vs marketing folks. Ideas how to inspire them into spending money?
CJ

Dear CJ
Some of the best advice I received was when I was a new parent. Choose your battles wisely, especially when you have a chance at winning.
Fran

Approval Where Art Thou?

Dear Fran
What’s the worst experience you’ve had with the approval process? It seems arduous around here.
MH

Dear MH
I won’t mention names but years ago I was waiting for approval for months and came to find out that one of the 11 signatures required to complete the approval was someone who had left the company months before.
Fran