In today’s manufacturing environment, companies are struggling to keep up with the pace of change and the growing sophistication of their suppliers. Many manufacturers are turning to a third-party service provider to help streamline their processes, increase efficiency, and reduce costs.
PCBWay.com is an online PCB manufacturing marketplace founded by three entrepreneurs to connect manufacturers with prospective buyers. Since its inception, the platform has gained much traction in such a short time, and it’s doing so for good reasons. PCBWay is not a new player in the market but what makes it stand out from the rest is its unique selling proposition (USP), which is its focus on lowering MOQs to make manufacturing more accessible to smaller and medium-sized companies. They specialize in providing OEM services, working closely with manufacturers throughout the supply chain process to ensure that every step is taken to cut costs and optimize performance.
For that unaware, manufacturing cost refers to how much money it takes to manufacture an end product—that costs money to make and sell. The lower the price of manufacturing an end product or service, the higher the demand for it. Therefore, lowering costs helps expand your customer base as more people can afford your products/services at a cheaper rate.
In this article, we’ll explore what OEM services are and why you should look for an integrated service provider if your company needs them:
How to get the best price on OEM service
When you purchase an OEM service plan from a reseller, the price you are charged is essentially what the reseller paid for the product. This price may be higher or lower than the price you paid for the product and is determined by factors that each reseller has the opportunity to negotiate. In addition, OEM service plans are also usually provided at a discount to compensate for the resellers not receiving a product warranty. To get the best price possible on OEM service, you need to know as much as possible about the product and the reseller.
Why You Should Purchase Direct Factory Service
The most apparent reason to purchase direct factory service is that it allows you to take advantage of the warranty coverage on your product. If you have an issue with your product, the service center can take it back to the factory to have it fixed. But there are many other benefits to purchasing direct factory service from the manufacturer, even if your product is covered under warranty.
- The reseller will better understand the product’s technical limitations and functionalities than you will.
- The reseller will be able to get the newest parts, which allows them to provide a more comprehensive service than you can.
- The reseller will be able to diagnose issues that may go undetected when performed by a customer.
- The reseller will be able to use their in-house technicians, which allows them to offer a more comprehensive service than your local retailer.
- The OEM service plan provides the technical support you would get with a service plan made by a third party.
The Negotiation Process
The negotiation process for OEM service can be incredibly frustrating and confusing, especially if you purchase in-store on the spot. The negotiation process for OEM service involves:
- Agreeing to the terms of a service agreement.
- Inspecting the product.
- Receiving the warranty information at the store.
After you have agreed to the terms, the company’s representative will come to the store to inspect your product and agree to the terms. After agreeing to the terms, the representative will provide you with a warranty information form to sign, basically a contract for the service plan. At this point in the negotiation process, you have agreed to the terms of the service agreement, have agreed to warranty coverage, have received the warranty information form, and are now in the inspection phase of the negotiation process.
The best way to negotiate an OEM service plan
Understanding the OEM service plan terms and conditions is essential to negotiating the best price possible on OEM service. The more you know about the agreement you are purchasing under, the more likely you are to negotiate down the price.
- Before you walk into the store, ensure you understand the service agreement terms.
- Make a note of the item’s serial number, model name, year of manufacture, and make of the thing.
- Go to the store, sign the warranty information form, and inspect the item.
- At this point, you have the right to walk out of the store if you’re uncomfortable with the terms of the service agreement.
- Once you have walked away, list all of the issues you have with the terms of the service agreement.
- Return to the store once you are done making your list, and discuss your issues with the store manager.
- Once you have all of your issues discussed with the manager, make sure you have a list of every single one.
- Take your list to the manager and make sure they are written down.
The best price for OEM service
Many factors can affect the price when it comes to finding the best price for OEM service. The most crucial factor is the type of service you purchased and the expected length of the plan. For example, most OEM service plans are for on-site repair. The technician will need to come to your home to service the product. The length of the plan will also affect the price. The longer it takes for the technician to come to your home, the more costly the plan will be. A few other factors can also affect the price of an OEM service plan. For example, the type of equipment being serviced will affect the price. If you have a high-end piece of equipment that most technicians may not be able to fix, this will also affect the cost.
Conclusion
OEM service plans are an excellent option for global companies that need to service their products more often than they can. You can get all the technical support you need, including any service updates with one-to-one service. In many cases, this is an excellent option for companies with high-end products that are difficult to maintain or repair.
However, resellers may not be able to know every little detail about your product and, therefore, should always be taken with a grain of salt. If you want to save money on OEM service, you can understand the terms of the service provider’s agreement and work with them to remove any possible barriers.
