Subbing out jobs - Do you ever let the client know?

[Andy D]

I usually don't worry myself about this but I have a good customer
that want's a large sub-dye print, which we don't do..
I have quoted the job via subbing it out with a mark-up, But she clearly thinks
we are printing this ourselves... she's a good customer but notoriously has
last minute add-ons, which isn't a problem when we are printing the job...
but won't be possible in this case.

I already decided to call her and let her know, but I'm just wondering what everyone else does...

 

[oksigns]

for the good customers, we maintained the trust and were up front with our capabilities if asked and explained we had a trusted vendor fulfilling specific requests, especially when deadlines were important!

Otherwise, the regular joe-walk-in doesn't need to think they have a leg up on me just cause I outsource, 'cause in their mind, they think they can get a better deal themselves.

 

[Solventinkjet]

If they ask, I would just be honest with them. Most dye sub shops are wholesale only for the most part so your average Joe wouldn't be able to go direct anyway.

 

[Gino]

I usually don't worry myself about this but I have a good customer
that want's a large sub-dye print, which we don't do..
I have quoted the job via subbing it out with a mark-up, But she clearly thinks
we are printing this ourselves... she's a good customer but notoriously has
last minute add-ons, which isn't a problem when we are printing the job...
but won't be possible in this case.

I already decided to call her and let her know, but I'm just wondering what everyone else does...

I don't believe anyone can be the... be-all and end-all of everything in this industry. There hasta be a limit. We generally tell people we do about 90% to 95% or our stuff in-house. However, there comes a point when it's something you might not produce in-house, but certainly have the connections to get furnished. I will tell them we will get it done for them and allow them to go elsewhere, if they don't trust us. Usually it works out for everyone. Just be honest with them.

 

[Andy D]

All good points, thanks!

 

[TXFB.INS]

we tell customers everything we sale we stand behind.

Now how / where / who produces said product is of little importance to them.



In this case make sure the customer knows IN VERY PLAIN TERMS there are zero last minutes changes with this type of product and it requires XXX number of working days to produce this

 

[Marlene]

I tell them the truth that I can get them a better price as my sources buy materials in bulk where we can't. they get it and since I am the one who proofs everyting they trust that all will be OK. it's not a big deal to be honest as long as they see there is something in what you do that benefits them

 

[Andy D]

Funny thing is, when I called and talked with her she said, "yeah I figured that's what you were going to have to do"
Like I said, I order a lot of subbed out stuff, but's it for the sales team, not my customers, so I wasn't sure how every one handles it...
Thanks for all the input.

 

[James Burke]

I think it's a non-issue. It ranks right along with not letting them know where you buy your supplies and materials.

If it comes right down to it and they ask, I tell people that I have someone help me with my "overflow" work and that always puts the question to rest.





JB

 

[Billct2]

We , too, have a lot of customers who have last minute changes for a variety of reasons.
If I am subbing the work I just let them know the timeline and that because of the materials involved I can't make any last minute changes.

 

[TheSnowman]

I generally don't let them know unless I think I'm going to have an issue. A lot of stuff I CAN do in house, but if I get busy since I'm a one man shop, I go ahead and sub it out so I'm not living in my shop all the time. A lot of designers that I do wholesale work for in our town do tell their customers that they are dealing with me though. Generally, soon as they tell them that, I get a phone call from that client, and it becomes a major pain in the butt. I tell them I won't work with them, generally cause I like the wholesale world of just doing the production, way more than the working back and fourth part, but I always respect other people's customers in that process as well.