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Insider Information from T.S.T.
Rubber Stamp.ca
In trying to help our
customers, we have compiled a list of some surprising things you should look out
for when ordering your rubber stamps. So read on!
T.S.T.
Rubber Stamp has been in the marking industry for over 12 years. Our staff
has, cumulatively, over 50 years of experience in the graphics industry.
Over the years we have seen and heard a lot of situations that would bring you
to tears with laughter, silliness and ear steaming frustration not only on the
customer’s part but also on our (the suppliers) part.
Because
of this, we have decided to compile a partial list of some of the “hooks” and
“traps” that you will find when you try to purchase “cheap” rubber stamps over
the internet. As they say…"BUYER BEWARE!" and "YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY
FOR!"
First of all, let
us explain to you that there is a definite difference between Price and Value.
Price
is “what you pay”
Value is “what you get
for what you pay”
Here's an example of a really good
price.
Let’s say you are walking through a flea market, and you see a huge table of
white t-shirts for an unbelievable price of 25¢
each. They are a quality brand name, and everyone in your household wears
them. You are always on the lookout for these! FANTASTIC!! You
decide to buy dozens of them as this is an unbelievable price and you get
really excited. Walking over to the table, you are tingling with
excitement over the find and approach the person selling them, with a huge grin
on your face, and tell them you want at least 48 in a large size. The
person on the other side of the table looks at you and says “sorry, these are
all small and extra small size!”
The point here we
are trying to make is that: “Sometimes the best and lowest price you
can find is simply not worth the cost!”
Value is explained something like
this.
You walk into a store and find a flat screen T.V. that you have been looking at
for quite a while. The price is $50.00 more than you have seen in the other
store, but you still decide to investigate. In speaking to the
salesperson, you discover that it is exactly the same model and size as the
other place you looked at, so you decide to ask them why it is more expensive.
The salesperson is confident, and without blinking proceeds to ask you if
delivery and set-up was included in the price at the other store. You know in
the back of your mind that it wasn’t. The other place wanted $75.00 for
delivery only, and set-up consisted of you reading an owners manual that is the
size of the latest version of Webster’s dictionary. He then explains that
not only is delivery and set-up included in his price, but that they also do any
warranty repairs “on site in their store”. This really puts a smile on
your face as you remember what happened with your last T.V. when it took 6-8
weeks to get it fixed because it had to go back to the factory to be repaired
because of a faulty on-off switch!
Getting
the point yet? Maybe it would be better to spend the extra bit of money
for the same T.V. and be able to have it delivered, professionally installed,
and have the peace of mind that would come with knowing it will never be out of
service for more that a week!!
So… the
question that has to be asked is ….. when you buy something, is price
the most important thing or is it true value??
A lot
of people probably think that “a rubber stamp, is a rubber stamp, is a rubber
stamp. They’re all the same”.
Think
about it, that would be the same as saying “a house, is a house, is a house.
They are all the same”. Would this not be the same as saying that a castle
is the same as a cottage, after all they are both “houses” are they not?
Yes, it
is true that basically rubber stamps are used to mark something, and that a
house is used for shelter. However you have to admit that there is a big
difference between the above mentioned homes, so what about rubber stamps?
This is
where we come in. Just to give you an idea of what some
companies are doing to try and lure you into that “best price” trap, here are
some things we have found where the “best price” companies are either cutting
corners, or have services that “cost extra”.
Do these
other “Best Price” companies
limit the amount of
text
you can put on the rubber stamp?
(Not offering you what you want, or restricting you??)
WE DON’T!
At T.S.T. Rubber Stamp, (T.S.T.
Stands for “That Special Touch”) when we do the
typesetting, if there is too much or even too little on the stamp, we will
suggest alternative sizes that best suit the amount of information. Our concern
is to make all rubber stamps legible, and use the proper font size and layouts
to do it.
EVEN IF IT MEANS SUPPLYING YOU WITH A SMALLER RUBBER STAMP
at a cheaper price!
Do they charge you for extra lines of text on your
rubber stamps?
(Quick money grab??)
WE
DON’T!
At T.S.T.
Rubber Stamp it really doesn’t matter what or how much information you need
on your rubber stamps. Really, how long does it take to type out a few extra
lines of type on a rubber stamp? Is this not just an EXTRA CHARGE that
basically is a cash grab, or hidden fee? We feel that by avoiding
unwarranted charges like this that our customers will see the “VALUE” we include
with their purchase, and they too will become loyal to T.S.T. Rubber Stamp.
Do they supply you with rubber stamps that are un-assembled
and you have to mount the dies yourself. (Yes, there are some that do this!!).
(BIG cost cutting measure and
mistake in our opinion!!
WE
DON’T!
At T.S.T.
Rubber Stamp, we feel that something like this is bordering on ridiculous.
We really don’t think an explanation is needed here, except to say that when you
do buy that castle, are the windows in a separate pile, and it is up to you to
put them in??!!!
Do they limit your typestyle choice
to only a few?
(Cost cutting measure?)
WE
DON’T!
At T.S.T.
Rubber Stamp, we strongly believe that sometimes our customers want to
emphasize something on their rubber stamp, and a “normal” typestyle just won’t
do it! Because we have been manufacturing self inking and manual
hand stamps for over 12 years, once we see what you want to say, we can, and do,
typeset all rubber stamps accordingly. Our thought again is why charge
more? Is it not better to simply include it, make our customers happy, and
know they will be loyal because they see the VALUE!
Do they
offer you a proof of your rubber stamps so you can see what it looks like before
it is made?
(Or do
you trust that their typesetter can read what was written, AND double
checks their work for typo’s?)
(Cost cutting step AND showing
disregard as to accuracy and customers needs as far as we’re concerned!)
WE DO!
At T.S.T.
Rubber Stamp, we feel that this is a cost cutting measure on the supplier’s
part, and strongly believe that a proof of all rubber stamps is next to
mandatory! Because we offer this as a free service to all our
customers, many times our customers have said “Thanks for the proof, it gave
me a much better idea as to what the stamp will look like. Now that I can
see it, could you please change this for me?” We have had situations
where the proof has gone back and forth 4 or 5 times because they changed their
mind either in the layout, text, or typestyle!! We have also seen
numerous times in the past when new customers dealing in the past with other
places, the rubber stamp is not done the way they wanted it, and/or there is a
typesetting mistake in the information on it!! Because they never
saw a proof. If you don’t see what you are going to get on YOUR rubber stamp,
how can you know that it will be correct, or what it will look like? Is
your address, postal code and phone number typeset properly? Have you
checked it?? You don’t want any surprises when you get your rubber stamp, and
nor do we!
Do
they
charge you for the proof!
(Added extra charge!)
WE
DON’T!
At T.S.T.
Rubber Stamp, this is a free service we offer to all our customers, because
we believe it is more important to do your rubber stamps right the first time!!
We don’t charge for this because we have to typeset it anyway, and your faxed or
e-mailed proof is always free of charge.
Do they tell you upfront what the shipping and handling
charges will be?
(Or another small surprise with an EXTRA CHARGE?)
WE DO!
At T.S.T.
Rubber Stamp, we want you to know, as closely as we can, how much you stamp
will cost you, delivered to your door! There are other places where you
have no idea what the shipping and handling charges will be and you hope that
they will not be outrageous. Not fair we say! We tell you up front
what the shipping charges are so there will be “NO SURPRISES!”
Are they the actual manufacturer of the rubber stamps?
Or do they send it
out to a third party?
(Cost cutting, no control, and extra
charges???)
WE
ARE!
At T.S.T.
Rubber Stamp, WE MAKE THE RUBBER STAMPS!!! This way, both our
customers, and ourselves, have complete control and accuracy. Through our
“FREE PROOF” system, there is no delay in production and no extra third
party mark up. Most orders are shipped via Fed-Ex the next business day
after artwork approval!!
IN
SUMMARY: Basically what we are saying is, when you deal with T.S.T. Rubber
Stamp, you get exactly what you want, when you want it, all at a FAIR PRICE”,
with no hidden extra charges!!
NOW THAT’S VALUE!
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