Home Improvement Vendor

DAVIS081404

Does anyone in here have experience as a vendor for large Home Improvement companies? If so what are the advantages / disadvantages? Any comments appriciated.

RobertWilber

Do you mean like Sears, Home Depot, AHS?
They can end up controlling you and your business, just like any other large single customer.
When they take care of you, they are great and the steady money is good, but when they get tired of you [and they do], you are suddenly living like you just got out of high school, looking for your first job. You can have to reinvent your business all over and start from scratch.
Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

[I've got the T-shirt AND the hat AND the ashtray AND the scenic coaster set AND ... ]

DAVIS081404

Do you mean like Sears, Home Depot, AHS?

Robert, that’s correct I am referring to one of the companies above. They recently contacted me and asked if I would be interested. Since I am just starting out it sounds like a good opportunity. However, I can see your point. That’s why I am looking for input. I greatly appreciate any other comments you may have on this subject.

RobertWilber

Any work is great when you need it.
Just remember to not let THEM set terms and rates.
You probably don't want them real deep in your wallet a lot for real long.
You can build up a substantial business on one client and make investments in equipment and systems which it may not be possible to recover [or affordable to keep] if you part company.
Some organizations have a history of entrapping "subs" with massive quantities of slow-pay work [requiring you to finance it at your expense], then forcing factored or discounted payment terms, ultimately absorbing the operation into their own business.
Big businesses don't get big being nice.