The Encyclopedia of Business Letters, Faxes, and E-mail

5

Corresponding With Vendors

A buyer usually has the upper hand over vendors. After all, as the adage states, “The customer is always right,” and the buyer is the customer. However, miscommunicating with or mistreating a vendor will affect a buyer’s bottom line. Here are some tips for more effective customer-to-supplier communications:

1. Put everything in writing. If something changes after a purchase order or contract is signed, be sure to put the changes into writing.

2. Be specific and precise. Spell out the details, terms, and conditions.

3. Don’t be a difficult customer. Difficult customers are often perceived as pests. Vendors may put you at the bottom of their priority list rather than the top. You won’t know they’ve done this—until your ...