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asiawest
Joined: 08 Mar 2008
Posts: 15
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 Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 9:37 pm Post subject: Question to Architects? |
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We are based in China for 15 years providing almost everything things in deco, from marble, granite to wood flooring, sanitary or even furniture.
Would it be possible to provide material directly to clients of architects if they refer us to their client projects this to cut cots of building enterprises in getting their merging on material? In counterpart we will offer a percentage to architects for every single material their clients will purchase from us.
Would it be this in the law for an architect?
Do you think this could interest an architect and if not why?
I believe architect clients would appreciate the orientation of the architect?
I am just trying to figure out how to plan this marketing approach and your comments will be highly appreciated.
Oliver
www.deco.group-asiawest.com
oliver(AT)group-asiawest.com |
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Madimel
Joined: 06 Feb 2008
Posts: 103
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| Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 9:50 pm Post subject: |
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| We have done that in the past with mixed results. In theory, it all works great, it offers an opportunity for the architectural company to be more profitable and exert some control to the final look of their product. But in reality, we had problems with furniture pieces not looking like the approved sample either in construction, material, size or all of the above. Damaged material during transit and the wait time for it's replacement, and the replacement pieces do not match the others. Customs agent hold up due to the textile material in the cargo. Horrible cabinet construction which does not fit the actual parameters. We've generally found that without local representation in China, the products that we received are often misrepresentations of the sample. |
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asiawest
Joined: 08 Mar 2008
Posts: 15
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| Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 10:44 pm Post subject: Question to Architects? |
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Thank you very much for your prompt reply and clarification. That means to me it’s still workable but according your experience it should be handled more professionally and be sure that products will be not damaged during the transit, such products like paves, wood floor etc instead of glass products etc.
Or for fragile products we sould supply a 3% free spare parts for example as we already do for quite many products this to avoid time to replace.
We are a 100% foreign owned company (French) and so far we know that most of the time Chinese companies does not really care about customer satisfaction and that’s why we are in permanence here in China checking quality and inspecting factories.
In the other hands it shouldn’t be to complicate to find a representative in the respective country we supply if we have of course enough volume.
Anyway again I really appreciated your point of view it help me very much to understand the needs and that’s why I wanted to talk to make sure before going longer in this project to make it as professional as we can.
Any other observation are welcome
Oliver
www.deco.group-asiawest.com
oliver(AT)group-asiawest.com |
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archiwei
Joined: 29 Dec 2006
Posts: 31
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| Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 11:10 pm Post subject: it's not true to say... |
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"Chinese companies does not really care about customer satisfaction" As I know, it's not true.
Some Chinese companies have already worked very well in North America.
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asiawest
Joined: 08 Mar 2008
Posts: 15
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| Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 11:52 pm Post subject: Question to Architects? |
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According your name “Wei” you probably irritated about my comment on Chinese but it is of course not in general, they are not discrimination at all but a fact (again not for all companies) although some done well in USA, many companies still need to learn about Customer Services especially in China.
As a marketing person background I am myself giving training at DELL Inc (around 6000 employees) in China time to time at the Customer Care staffs service center. I beleive I little know what I am talking about.
I won’t go into a conflict in this forum arguing, so far forget my comment and I apologize if this offended you but this is just and only my point of view.
Oliver
www.deco.group-asiawest.com
oliver(AT)group-asiawest.com |
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Madimel
Joined: 06 Feb 2008
Posts: 103
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| Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:54 pm Post subject: |
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| Although I agree that not all Chinese companies are bad, that's like saying all architects are conceited. However, with the couple of Chinese companies that I worked with, two previous Chinese bosses, my experience of the "can do" attitude to be horrifying. As one of their employees once confided in me and said that "people treat their dogs better" regarding their work environment. Getting things "done" seems to be a priority, the only problem is the concept of a "finished" product differs from what is generally accepted. Taking short cuts and sloppily nailing things together to meet a deadline will not endear the company with their customers. |
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asiawest
Joined: 08 Mar 2008
Posts: 15
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| Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 3:57 am Post subject: Question to Architects? |
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Pretty true madimel but the subject is a little more complex and let me put it in that way for your appreciation. Well I am going out of why I came to this forum to understand the needs of architects today in trying by somehow in some way to fit to their needs but after 15 years living in China I experienced the following.
Employees in China are really treated very hierarchically that’s why they are treated (like a dog) this is irrevocable but the management still think they do well without really understanding their employees or customers problems, it changed but it is still really present at the moment and this affect the employees work and of course companies.
China needs today more than 100 000 foreign management expert (At low pay) that mean to me they still need to learn.
Managers in China are living under great pressure of competitors and overseas companies are almost always asking for low prices only to get into their market. Quality is neglected and it affect the image of Chinese companies that work on short term to generate instant profit instead of keeping customers on a long term basis.
We have a strong policy in our company to check human rights and global warming are respected in offering quality products and satisfy customers. From that we also suffer from overseas companies asking always for low prices at high quality products without caring about work conditions and aspect of the businesses.
Oliver
www.deco.group-asiawest.com
oliver(AT)group-asiawest.com |
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mx2
Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Posts: 1813
Location: Miami, Florida
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| Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:01 am Post subject: |
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Sounds pretty much like the US working environment these days! 
Seriously though, ultimately any such products have to be marketed directly to consumers. Architects join in line to specify these products. And if quality, supply, lead time for delivery, etc, etc tend to fail over and over the product line (brand) will simply not be bought. I personally look for established businesses and products. For one, many items must be available for a few years while the project is being designed and built. Then we want materials that the client can replace and match...
mx2.5
_________________
*Art of Architecture: The conscious use of skill and creative imagination in the production of an aesthetic building.
*Science of Architecture: The calculated use of technical skill and knowledge in the construction of a functional building. |
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asiawest
Joined: 08 Mar 2008
Posts: 15
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| Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:36 pm Post subject: Question to Architects? |
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Thanks mx2.5 for your feedback and explanation. Although I agree that some products had to be marketed directly to consumers and retailers normally does this. Some products are well known as well by consumers, marble, granite, wooden floor, etc… and don’t need to be really marketed.
I agree that quality, supply, lead-time for delivery, etc is the main concern and that is what I am trying to understand and solve before going into a marketing plan with architects.
I personally dealt long time ago with architects in a similar way but I was effectively in my country the distance with China is a handicap but not a major problem to me, we also supplied an entire hotel in Paris last year without any problem, as long as quality to reach costumer satisfaction is respected and low price given. It must be a way to tie up all of these with architects.
Thank you again for your interesting point of view and time in writing to me.
Oliver
www.deco.group-asiawest.com
oliver(AT)group-asiawest.com |
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J.Saravana Balaji
Joined: 25 Dec 2007
Posts: 17
Location: India
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| Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 11:51 pm Post subject: |
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| I was wondering that does code of ethics permit Architects receiving percentage from the supplier? |
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teamjdc
Joined: 25 Oct 2007
Posts: 145
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:00 am Post subject: |
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| It is unethical in the US and possibly illegal. |
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asiawest
Joined: 08 Mar 2008
Posts: 15
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 3:15 am Post subject: Question to Architects? |
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Thanks for the information, that’s what I actually asked in my first post, if this could be legal or not?
Actually the deal will be with the client of the architect not the architect directly and they are many ways to make it legal e.i. In purchasing from the same architect a drawing or what ever for the sum due.
Today I am personally unscrupulous when I just watch politician making “legal move” (personal opinion).
Oliver
www.deco.group-asiawest.com
oliver(AT)group-asiawest.com |
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mx2
Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Posts: 1813
Location: Miami, Florida
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:28 am Post subject: |
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No it is not illegal nor unethical. It's in fact how Interior Designers make a living...and a good one. The issue with Architects is that we don't have the ability to sell products based upon simply any signle aspect. There are lots of issues that go into selecting materials, and when specifying a marble floor tile, for example, we must specify the exact dimensions, color, detail, mortar, etc...which becomes more expensive if it's custom made so any product that comes off the shelf that is mass produced with great availability and an established reputation for quality, we're very interested in telling builders and clients that they ought to use that product.
mx2.5
_________________
*Art of Architecture: The conscious use of skill and creative imagination in the production of an aesthetic building.
*Science of Architecture: The calculated use of technical skill and knowledge in the construction of a functional building. |
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teamjdc
Joined: 25 Oct 2007
Posts: 145
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:53 am Post subject: |
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mx, You're absolutely wrong.
Architects are not interior designers/decorators.
asiawest, Your way to get around the rules is very transparent and remains unethical. you indeed do lack scruples and anyone who does business with you deserves what they get.
I want to thank you for giving us your firm name and site. Now we know who to keep an eye on. I recommend that you stay out of the U.S. |
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mx2
Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Posts: 1813
Location: Miami, Florida
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 3:36 pm Post subject: |
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Teamjdc....you obviously have no idea what your talking about and seem to be solely bent on spreading fear and misinformation perhaps for the sheer joy of being controversial or seeking conflict. It's not an issue of Interior Designer vs Architects...what I said was Interior Designers make a living getting a percentage of sales from products they get clients to buy. The clients know it, everyone knows it. Architects are in a different business and do not have the luxury to try and sell furniture and fixtures...not much to sell when it comes to CMU. And typically our contracts are structured so that the Builders take the liability and therefore are held to their construction costs presented in their proposal/contracts. But should an Architect be able to create a relationship with, say a door retailer, and specify it on the drawings and somehow both the builder and client agree to buy those doors from that broker, then its possible. But that's about a 1 in a million chance...so Architects don't bother. Instead, they make money in their fee...
mx2.5
_________________
*Art of Architecture: The conscious use of skill and creative imagination in the production of an aesthetic building.
*Science of Architecture: The calculated use of technical skill and knowledge in the construction of a functional building. |
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