“Why do prices vary from one supplier to another on the same product?”

That’s a good question and one that we hear often. There are actually many reasons that products that appear to be the same are priced differently, but the main one can be found in the old adage – QUALITY, SERVICE and PRICE – PICK TWO. When you are comparing quotes & products it is important to know everything you are getting in that quote. Is it the best quality product that will enhance your brand in the giving of it? Will it be delivered within your specified timelines? Is there real-time stock available? Will the order-processing and after-sale service exceed your expectations? These factors are of paramount importance in determining the true value of the product you are purchasing . That is why at Innovatex, we have enlisted the “trustworthy twelve” in finding the best solution for you. We handpicked these partners because they have consistently offered us Service, Quality AND Price, which affords us the confidence to find the right promotional solution for you and know that you will be getting the “best deal” in every sense of the word. And in partnering with Innovatex, we make it our goal to understand your unique marketing vision, approach and goals. We operate as part of your marketing team always searching for the right ideas and products for your campaigns and events. We look at the differences between similar products and find the one with the best features for your needs and budget. We look at compliancy and safety concerns, eco-consciousness, style & functionality and we recommend only products that will complement the integrity of YOUR brand. You never have to worry about comparing apples to apples – at Innovatex we do it for you.

Apples to Oranges

Here are a few examples of how appearances can be deceiving when comparing products and prices.

Pens:

It is very important that the pen you choose writes well, without skipping, blobbing, scratching. The price you pay for a pen does not necessarily determine the most important part – the refill. There are extremely inexpensive pens with great refills and beautiful looking pens with bad ones. Ball pen refills vary dramatically in size (the amount of ink) and flow. Roller ball pens have great flow as the ink is wetter and free flowing, but they can blob as the paper acts like a sponge on the ink. Gel pens can be a great option but they can skip. No matter what your budget, make sure you choose a pen they will keep and use with pleasure for your maximum brand exposure!

Sticky Notes:

Definitely not all the same and here you most often do “get what you pay for”. The glue used can be very different, depending on the source, and a sticky note that doesn’t stick is useless as a business accessory and shows poorly on your brand. Another thing to look out for is WHERE they are coming from Sticky notes are very heavy, so you are best to know the FOB point when you order, otherwise shipping costs may take the product right out of your budget.

Beverage Containers:

As one of the hottest (or coolest) product categories this year, this one is important to know. The material that it is made from (Stainless steel, aluminum, glass, porcelain BPA-free polycarbonate, plastic) will all affect the price and in some cases the flavor. The size is also an important factor to compare as is the single or double walled feature. Double walled construction costs a little more but keeps the drink hot (or cold) considerably longer.

The Innovatex team takes all of these factors into consideration when finding the perfect products for your promotions, so you are always getting the best that your budget allows. If we believe there is a better product of higher quality for the available marketing dollars – we will recommend it.