When identical products are available from several sources - like pork-bellies, soybeans and scrap-iron - they are "commodities". For these things, as well as for some commonly used items in industrial controls, it sometimes seems like discounting is a way of life. And the lowest bidder wins. Or loses?

Differentiate your product

Quality is a tough-sell - everyone says they have it. The savvy customer will review whether or not prospective suppliers operate an ISO 9000 program, or have a good track record from past shipment. Or, they may look for referrals from existing customers to verify a good track record. A demonstrable reputation for good quality is indeed a value differentiator and that should be reflected in pricing.

Delivery implies availability within a specified time to satisfy the customer's need. Commodities tend to be offered "from stock"; but suppliers should recognize that there is a carrying-cost involved, which must be factored into the price.

Cheaper is NOT Better

And what about coffee? It's available in many restaurants as a "bottomless cup" - free refills. And yet, Starbucks continues to grow, with no free re-fills and coffee priced as much as double or triple anywhere else. What's the catch? Well, Starbucks offers all the things that go with a good cup of coffee - comfortable sofas to lounge around with friends, newspapers and plenty of good magazines to read, muffins or donuts to go with the coffee, and all the little niceties that make a difference.

Sell Value

One would think that pride would involve offering the highest value at a reasonable cost. It is curious that some people boast about their products being the lowest cost. When buying food, do they buy the cheapest? When hiring people, do they hire the lowest paid? If they do, then good customers might choose not do business with them.

I'm sure you've heard the story of the engineering consultant who was called to repair a machine that had stopped the factory and tightened a single screw within about 5 minutes to re-start the whole place. When the bill was received for $ 2,000 the customer was outraged, "You spent just 5 minutes here, and we received a bill for $ 2,000!" The consultant smiled, "The tightening of the screw was free. $ 2,000 was for knowing which screw to tighten!"

Always remember - you are selling value: your knowledge, your experience in the business, your understanding of the problems that are involved, your ability to solve the problems that will inevitably come up, and your availability to help the customer when needed.

When you have quoted your best price, if the customer says that it is expensive, don't make excuses. Your immediate response should be, "Yes, but it is the best! And you get my involvement when you buy my product."

As an instrumentation professional, always strive to provide the most value - the best specifications, the best performance, the best quality and reliability, the best delivery, the best applications assistance, the best after-sales support, the best looking product literature, the most helpful documentation. And, do that at a price that is the best value for the Customer - and for your company and yourself!

The next time someone demands a discount, don't discount yourself! Ask yourself whether you should really be doing business with that person, or that company.

Never, never be the lowest bidder!