I am disappointed by practices I consider to be ethically questionable by several newsagency suppliers, practices where the suppliers have made promises they have not kept. Practices they knew the newsagents involved would most likely not take legal action on.
These product suppliers, not distributors, have got away with letting newsagents down and we, those of us who have seen their behaviour, have let them get away with it.
I will not name names here because two have threatened this.
If I won’t name names why mention it? Because I am frustrated that we let these people put on a fake smile , sometimes pass out a bit of money to cover up their misbehaviour toward others in our channel.
While it would be impractical to create and police I would love to see an ethical newsagency supplier tick awarded to indicate suppliers who have met and continue to meet criteria set and judged by newsagents , newsagents with no conflict or perception of conflict, newsagents not involved in industry politics.
So what am I doing about this? I have closed my account with two suppliers. With a third it is not that simple because of how their products come to me. I’m working on that.
I note that suppliers I am writing about would vigorously argue that they have done nothing wrong and that they have simply focused on growing their respective businesses. I suspect that some newsagents would agree if presented the facts. I see it differently. I expect people to be true to their word.
The purpose of this blog post is to raise the issue of supplier ethics and to encourage newsagents to consider this when selecting suppliers they support.
NAME AND SHAME – legal reasons i presume you cannot name them , but it would be good to get a heads up on who to look out for .
I learnt the hard way once about “free stock”……….cost me 6 grand…….beware the “Free Stock”…..ain`t no such thing !!!!
maybe you can’t name and shame but drop a hint or 2 to lead us in the right direction
iam fortunate not to sign a contract with john sands. i think Hallmark have great products eventhough i have to pay my own fixtures
Mark a brilliant idea!
And Allan – like you – I learnt the hard way about ‘free stock’. NEVER again.
And I have a long memory! I do my own personal boycott.
i recently had an issue with a card company, where they refused to take back christmas because i changed card companies… lucky my new card supplier is going to credit me for the stock.