Grocery Store vs Caterer

[manuellynch]

We are constantly shocked that Axiom NZ, the company that is the Grocery Store, is requested to be a Caterer and do layouts and sign designs like some of our competitors.

We make LED modules.

We do not make signs.

Does anyone have any comments on this? You are the sign designers or caterers that cater to your customers needs - we are the LED modules and make the ingredients for your recipe.

When is the last time you bought some flour at a grocery store and asked the people at the store how to make home made fried chicken?

[manuellynch]

Most people would watch Food Network.

I dont think Paula Deen grows pinneapples or Emerald grows olive trees for olive oil in their backyard.

What would be great would be to have Sign Syndicate have video tutorials that show people how to do things.

just think Erik - you could be the food network.

[imanut]

Goes back to laziness and education -------- and being able to have someone to blame----------and not necessarily in that order.

[YYZ]

I think when LEDs first needed to penetrate the market, it was very valuable for the LED companies to do some of the layouts for sign shops to teach them how. The problem is that the sign shops became a little reliant on these layouts and many LED companies continue offer it as a value added service, to keep the client coming.

We do it, but mostly because we also offer a custom-count service with the module chains. If the layout calls for 22 modules for a letter P, that's what we ship - but that's also why we charge more than the Axiom grocery store. We're more like Whole Foods where we offer prepared sandwiches and cooking lessons ;)

[manuellynch]

I think when LEDs first needed to penetrate the market, it was very valuable for the LED companies to do some of the layouts for sign shops to teach them how. The problem is that the sign shops became a little reliant on these layouts and many LED companies continue offer it as a value added service, to keep the client coming.

We do it, but mostly because we also offer a custom-count service with the module chains. If the layout calls for 22 modules for a letter P, that's what we ship - but that's also why we charge more than the Axiom grocery store. We're more like Whole Foods where we offer prepared sandwiches and cooking lessons ;)

Good analogy Marko.

Our model is to be: 1) the brightest, 2) lowest cost

We do not offer custom catering to customers. We sell to chefs.

[manuellynch]

I think when LEDs first needed to penetrate the market, it was very valuable for the LED companies to do some of the layouts for sign shops to teach them how. The problem is that the sign shops became a little reliant on these layouts and many LED companies continue offer it as a value added service, to keep the client coming.

We do it, but mostly because we also offer a custom-count service with the module chains. If the layout calls for 22 modules for a letter P, that's what we ship - but that's also why we charge more than the Axiom grocery store. We're more like Whole Foods where we offer prepared sandwiches and cooking lessons ;)

Good analogy Marko.

Our model is to be: 1) the brightest, 2) lowest cost

We do not offer custom catering to customers. We sell to chefs.

Thats why we both exist.

We are not that big on traditional "customer service" - we have redefined that to mean "provide the customer a service of winning more business"

Edited August 20, 2009 by Manuel Lynch

[Brian]

Good analogy Marko.

Our model is to be: 1) the brightest, 2) lowest cost

We do not offer custom catering to customers. We sell to chefs.

Thats why we both exist.

We are not that big on traditional "customer service" - we have redefined that to mean "provide the customer a service of winning more business"

Manuel I like your product, but... Marko's traditional customer service is second to none. There are people that will take service over price any day and there are those that are strictly price shopping. The bad thing is the price shopper is NEVER a loyal customer, as soon as someone offers their product a cent cheaper boom their gone no matter how good you have been to them. So yes their is a place for the both of you to make money in the LED biz with you different methods.

[manuellynch]

Manuel I like your product, but... Marko's traditional customer service is second to none. There are people that will take service over price any day and there are those that are strictly price shopping. The bad thing is the price shopper is NEVER a loyal customer, as soon as someone offers their product a cent cheaper boom their gone no matter how good you have been to them. So yes their is a place for the both of you to make money in the LED biz with you different methods.

agreed on Marko - very European style attention to detail

[YYZ]

Manuel I like your product, but... Marko's traditional customer service is second to none. There are people that will take service over price any day and there are those that are strictly price shopping. The bad thing is the price shopper is NEVER a loyal customer, as soon as someone offers their product a cent cheaper boom their gone no matter how good you have been to them. So yes their is a place for the both of you to make money in the LED biz with you different methods.

There's room in the market for many players. We have our challenges keeping communication and service at a good level - it's always easier in the beginning but harder to maintain with every customer. I'm going to have to create a sales/sevice team pretty soon.

There has to be players like Axiom also, where a streamlined business model gets products to certain users at a streamlined cost with streamlined service. I think Costco might be a more fitting analogy... not as easy for the general public, but if you only need a few things and can buy in bulk, it's a good option. We grow most of our stuff locally and keep the money in the local economy, which some people prefer as a business model also. It takes all kinds.

[Brian]

There's room in the market for many players. We have our challenges keeping communication and service at a good level - it's always easier in the beginning but harder to maintain with every customer. I'm going to have to create a sales/sevice team pretty soon.

There has to be players like Axiom also, where a streamlined business model gets products to certain users at a streamlined cost with streamlined service. I think Costco might be a more fitting analogy... not as easy for the general public, but if you only need a few things and can buy in bulk, it's a good option. We grow most of our stuff locally and keep the money in the local economy, which some people prefer as a business model also. It takes all kinds.

agreed very good analogy