Ordering your packaging supplies online is quick and easy, isn’t it? You might enjoy sweet discounts or gifts when you order from an e-commerce provider. But appearances can be deceiving. The quick and easy method might save you dollars today and cost you thousands tomorrow.
Before you click another “Buy Now” button you owe it to yourself to read this article first.
So, what’s the big deal, you may ask? Why is it so dangerous to re-order my packaging materials and supplies online? Here’s why:
- Knockoffs can knock you out—Many suppliers will substitute products and fill your order with a generic brand to boost their profits, and that can be disastrous. For example: Your pallet-wrapping machines require a very specific type of film to perform properly. If the wrong film is used it can damage your equipment or compromise your pallet loads. (See our blog article The Pitfalls of Pallet Stretch Wrapping) Either way, you’re down for the count.
- What you see isn’t always what you get—Your invoice says the product meets certain standards. The box says you got what you paid for. But by the time you find out those specs are a bit off the mark the damage is already done. This could be boxes that aren’t as strong as you expected, shrink wrap that doesn’t quite pair with your machines, or packing materials that don’t protect your products. The last thing you want is a surprise like this shutting down your production lines.
- No throat to choke—When these sorts of failures occur, or when you discover you didn’t receive what you actually needed to get the job done, there’s no one to hold accountable for the damage done. The operators give you the run-around in hopes that you’ll eventually just go away, or they simply refuse to provide a refund. Bottom line: When you deal with an online packaging supplier you’re quite often on your own when something goes wrong.
Over the years we’ve seen this sort of thing happen over and over again. Once it was the friendly sales rep on the phone offering great deals on generic supplies. Today the scams have moved online. With the recent e-commerce boom we’re now seeing hundreds of predatory packaging suppliers setting up flashy websites and taking orders to make a quick buck, and unsuspecting companies are paying the price.
Rather than risk getting the short end of the e-commerce stick it pays to order reliable packaging supplies from trusted sources who stand behind every item they recommend.
If you’d like to learn more about how to avoid these types of pitfalls and where to find a reputable packaging supplier you can trust, call us first. We specialize in helping our customers choose the right materials for the right price. From cushioning to stretch film and boxes to peanuts, we’ve got the supplies that provide the perfect packaging experience. Even more important, we’re process experts. We’ll work with your team to design a system that’s cost effective and efficient.
To get started, give First Packaging Systems a call today at (909) 613-5955 or send us an email.
