5 Reasons to Buy from an Independent Dealer
If you are looking to buy IT hardware for your office, you likely have multiple providers to choose from. In almost every community in the country, there is a local office technology dealer dedicated to serving nearby organizations with hardware, solutions, and ongoing support. If you live in a major metro area, you might also be able to buy directly from the equipment manufacturer.
Some IT buyers are enamored with the scale, scope, and brand recognition of a manufacturer-direct sales operation. While there are benefits to working with a manufacturer, the independent dealer has a unique value proposition that keeps savvy clients returning year after year. Before you sign that proposal from the manufacturer sales representative, read on for the five top reasons to buy from an independent dealer.
Breadth of Offerings
Most independent dealers carry multiple brands across different product categories. That allows the dealer to tailor product recommendations to your specific needs, applications, and budget. Compare that with the manufacturer who only wants to sell one brand – its own. Aztec has deliberately curated a product set that allows us to meet the needs of just about any organization. From printers and copiers to notebook PCs and video displays, we take a holistic approach to your office setup and can help you pick which brand is right for your goals or even integrate multiple brands in the same deployment.
Uptime and Reliability
You might expect that the manufacturer’s technicians are the best when it comes to repairing your device. However, independent dealers invest heavily in cultivating and retaining a topnotch service team because service is their core business. At Aztec, our service technicians are all factory trained and certified, so you can trust that we know the hardware. Plus, our dense coverage in the Northeast Corridor ensures a technician is never far from your office; whereas manufacturer technicians could be spread thinner to cover more territory. Even if you are outside our core territory, we partner with other independent dealers for full nationwide service coverage.
Program Creativity and Flexibility
Independent dealers are smaller than the manufacturers, but they are also nimbler. That allows dealers to bring innovative programs to the market sooner. It also means that dealers can typically accommodate a wider array of needs and can tailor solutions to your situation. Aztec’s unique Service on Us and Brother Unlimited programs cannot be found at a manufacturer, and if we do not have the right offering for what you need, we will work with you to customize a program.
Quality of Client Service
We have all called into a big company’s call center only to be transferred around with no solution in sight. Compared to the manufacturer, independent dealers have fewer clients, so each one is high value and needs to be treated well. At Aztec, all our associates are local; some might even be your neighbor. When you call or email in, a real person will respond, committed to helping you.
Cost
You might have heard that you need to cut out the middleman to save money. While manufacturers often have more room to mark down hardware pricing, the machine is only one piece of the full proposal: you also need to consider the cost of design, deployment, consumables, and ongoing support. That is where the dealer’s lower overhead enables them to aggressively compete for your business. At Aztec, we understand budget imperatives are real, and you are likely expected to do more with less each year. That is why we offer unique bundled solution programs designed to offer you best in class technology at the best possible value.
Next time you need a partner for your office technology, reach out to Aztec. Our dedicated team of technology experts are here to help. Like the thousands of clients we already work with, we guarantee you will appreciate the personal touch only a local dealer can provide.
