How much can you save on Shanghai's road traffic warning signs from the manufacturer's direct sales price? Let’s talk about the secret here.

I have been to a lot of construction sites recently, and I also had a drink with some friends who are working on municipal projects. As we chatted, we came up with those signs on the road - yes, they are the road traffic warning signs that we see every day but may not have thought about them in detail. A friend is in charge of a new construction project on a section of road and is having a headache purchasing these signs. I was comparing prices everywhere, muttering the words "manufacturer direct sales". I thought to myself, we are familiar with this topic, and there are quite a lot of twists and turns in it. Today I will chat with you all about looking for manufacturers in Shanghai to buy these warning signs directly. What is the so-called "direct sales price" and is it really as "beautiful" as it sounds.

First of all, I have to say that the words "factory direct sales" are really attractive. Who doesn't want to bypass the middlemen, go directly to the source, and get the most realistic price? Especially in a place like Shanghai, where there are many projects and budgets need to be carefully calculated, my friend showed me several quotations. For the same specifications of "Slow down for construction ahead" or "Speed limit 40" signs, the prices quoted from different channels can sometimes differ by 20 to 30%. At first glance, the one reported by directly contacting the sign manufacturer, Often the numbers are the most beautiful, which is what we often call "ex-factory price". The difference in price is mainly due to the elimination of price increases in trading companies and agents. For some conventional warning signs with large quantities and standard specifications, such as common prohibitions and instruction signs, direct sales from the manufacturer can save a lot of money. This is real.

But (yes, there must be a "" here), we can't just look at the most conspicuous number, the manufacturer's direct selling price. It is often like a "naked price". What does it mean? It usually refers to the production cost of the sign itself. But if you want to move the sign from the factory to a certain road in Shanghai, the cost is too much. Who pays the transportation fee? Shanghai is so big. Can the freight be the same from the factory to the Pudong construction site as to the Chongming construction site? Who is responsible for the installation and construction? Does the manufacturer send someone to install it, or do you have to find another construction team yourself? Does the manufacturer care about the later warranty and maintenance? If the sign has faded or been knocked crooked after half a year of use, who should I contact to deal with it? If these details are not explained clearly when discussing the "direct selling price", it may lead to unexpected expenses or a lot of trouble later on.

Shanghai's traffic warning signs are not ordinary commodities. They carry safety responsibilities. Quality must be tightened. Going to the manufacturer directly means that you need to spend more energy to verify the "facts" of the manufacturer. Does it have formal production qualifications? Do the materials used meet national standards? For example, for reflective film, should it be engineering grade or higher grade? Is the aluminum plate thick enough? Is the production process flow or not? As a purchaser, if you are not familiar with this professional knowledge, you will easily fall into the trap. Some small factories quote low "direct sales prices", but they may use non-standard materials, which cannot be seen in the short term. After one or two years of exposure to the sun and rain, the reflective effect is gone and the color fades quickly. , then it’s not about saving money, but it’s about making mistakes and even being responsible. This happened to my friend. He ordered a batch at a low price, but during the acceptance inspection, he found that the reflectivity was not up to standard. All of them were returned and redone. No money was saved, and the construction period was delayed for half a month, and he was criticized by the superiors.

Shanghai's municipal engineering management is very standardized. Many projects have entry barriers for suppliers. Not just any manufacturer can accept them. Has your manufacturer done any similar successful cases in Shanghai or surrounding areas? Can its products pass relevant tests and provide qualified test reports? These "soft powers" are sometimes more important than the price itself. Pure "direct sales prices" may not be able to reflect these added values. In addition to production, reliable manufacturers can also provide a series of services from design consultation (in line with Shanghai's specific local road regulations), inspection, distribution and even installation guidance. Of course, these will also be reflected in the overall cost, but what they buy is peace of mind and security.

Back to the original question: How much can you save on Shanghai's road traffic warning signs from the manufacturer's direct sales price? My opinion is, You can save money, but the money you save is "limited and conditional" .

For purchasers, it is wiser to:

1. Don’t just focus on the unit price ： Move your eyes away from a single "brand price", calculate the "comprehensive cost of ownership", take into account transportation, installation (if included), possible taxes, and post-service services, and make an overall comparison.

2. In-depth inspection of manufacturers ： Go around more and see the manufacturer's production workshop and management level, check qualification certificates, ask for copies of contracts and test reports from past projects, chat with their technicians to see if they are professional, and find manufacturers around Shanghai. Logistics and communication may be more convenient.

3. Clarify requirements and refine contracts ： You need to know clearly what specifications, materials, and grades of products you need, and write them clearly in the contract.: What's included and what's not included in the price ； Which national standard or industry standard is the quality standard based on? ； Delivery time and place ； Acceptance methods and standards ； Warranty period and scope ； How to solve problems when they arise, written in black and white, with clear rights and responsibilities.

4. Balance price and service ： Within the budget, find the best balance between price, service quality, and manufacturer reputation. For reliable after-sales and long-term cooperation, it is worthwhile to have a slightly higher unit price.

“"Factory direct sales price" is an attractive starting point, but it is by no means the end. When purchasing transportation facilities in Shanghai, professionalism, compliance and long-term reliability are often more important than the absolute advantage of a little price. After all, there are not only signs on the road, but also safety responsibilities. Next time you see an advertisement for "factory direct sales", you might as well ask a few more questions, think more steps, and calculate the account more comprehensively. In business, you must be both smart and practical.