I had to chuckle when I read today’s Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article entitled “If you promise the moon, you might deliver green cheese.”
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The article starts off by saying: “There is no such thing as perfection — and it would be nice if vendors admit it. No matter how good a job they do, something, sometime will go wrong. They can do everything under their control to mitigate problems, but something not under their control will crop up to cause a problem they might not have anticipated.”
For those of you who are new to purchasing, you need to read these words carefully. Us long-timers know all too well that these words are so true.
Purchasing has its triumphant moments, but also its frustrating ones. The article provides a good case study of a frustrating situation despite a vendor’s performance guarantee.
In situations like the one described, the vendor usually is excused from the performance failure due to a Force Majeure clause. If you’re not familiar with Force Majeure, you may want to consider enrolling in our online class “Supply Management Contract Writing.”
I hope that you’re enjoying your weekend.
Comments
With 40 plus years in purchasing materials and transportation, the consistent statement to all vendors has been.. We are buying three things from you: 1: A product or service to the required specifications. 2: Delivery as specified. 3: Vendor’s assurances as to the steps they will take when something goes wrong, because Murphy is alive and well.
This approach has served me well over the years and I encourage everyone to press their vendors on their ability to respond to the third criteria.
Excellent advice, Daniel. Thanks for sharing!