Let’s face it—working with vendors can sometimes be a necessary evil (heck, we’re a vendor!). Whether you’re trying to get a new contract signed, update an existing one, or just keep the relationship moving smoothly, there’s one thing we all know: vendors can be annoying. But instead of ranting (well, maybe just a little), let’s have some fun and talk about the top 10 things vendors do that drive business customers up the wall.
1. Leaving Vague Voicemails Like “Call Us Back to Chat”
There’s nothing quite like receiving a voicemail that says, “Hey, just wanted to chat—call me back!” What are we chatting about? Is it a contract? An issue? A social invitation? Please, don’t keep us in suspense. Just tell us why you’re calling so we can be prepared—or at least brace ourselves.
2. Sending Generic, Non-Personalized Emails
“Dear Valued Customer…” That’s nice, but we’re not just any customer, and we’re pretty sure you don’t remember our name. If you’re going to send an email, at least try to make it sound like you know who you’re talking to. Bonus points if you can reference something specific about our company that doesn’t come from a three-second Google search.
3. Overpromising and Underdelivering on Timelines
“Oh, that feature? We can definitely have that ready by the end of the week.” Famous last words. We understand that things happen, but when you promise us the moon and deliver a paper airplane, it gets old—fast.
4. Spamming with Irrelevant or Excessive Marketing Materials
We get it. You’ve got a new product or service that you’re excited about. But sending us five emails a day about something we don’t need isn’t going to win you any points. In fact, it’s probably going to land you in the spam folder.
5. Ignoring Previous Communication or Customer History
Nothing says “we value you” like a vendor asking the same question you’ve already answered three times. If you’re going to communicate with us, at least take the time to read through our previous conversations. We promise it’ll save everyone a headache.
6. Pushing Unnecessary Upsells During Every Interaction
“While we’re on the phone, have you considered upgrading to our premium package?” Yes, we’ve considered it, and no, we’re not interested. There’s nothing more irritating than feeling like every conversation is just another opportunity for a sales pitch.
7. Being Unresponsive or Slow to Reply to Urgent Inquiries
When things are going smoothly, vendors can be chatty. But the moment there’s an issue, they seem to vanish into thin air. If we’re reaching out, it’s probably because we need something—like, now. Please, don’t leave us hanging.
8. Using Overly Technical Jargon Without Explanation
We’re all for technical accuracy, but if we need a translator to understand what you’re saying, there’s a problem. Throwing around terms like “synergistic optimization protocols” might sound impressive, but we’d appreciate a plain-English version, too.
9. Failing to Provide Clear Next Steps or Actions
Ever been in a meeting where the vendor wraps up and you have no idea what just happened or what’s supposed to happen next? Yeah, us too. If you’re going to talk to us, make sure we leave with a clear understanding of what needs to be done and when.
10. Calling Outside of Business Hours Without Permission
We all have lives outside of work, and getting a call from a vendor at 7 AM or 10 PM isn’t just annoying—it’s intrusive. Unless there’s an emergency (and we mean real emergency), please stick to normal business hours. We promise we’ll be a lot more receptive.
Conclusion
So there you have it—our top 10 list of things vendors do that drive us up the wall. If you’re a vendor reading this, take note! And if you’re an MSP, know that you’re not alone. Let’s keep the communication flowing smoothly, minus the annoyances, and everyone will be happier for it.
