Speed and Service
We frequently ask our biggest customers why they prefer to use Mercian Labels. The answer always comes back to the same two things – Speed and Service.
How do you define Speed and Service?
It’s quite simple. We do what you ask us to, and we do it quickly.
We don’t have pushy salespeople. They don’t like to say ‘no’ – but they will do if they have to.
In other words, we will not fill customers with false hopes, and if you need help, we will do whatever we can.
Speed
If you need digitally printed labels in a hurry, we pride ourselves on our ability and determination to turn your job around in industry-beating lead times. As a rule, this means 3 working days from artwork approval to despatch. If you need it on the same day, it’s even possible to achieve that in extreme situations. And there are inevitably very busy times of the year when 4 or 5 days might be standard, but just ask if you are in a rush and we will always try and squeeze your job in if it’s possible.
Long runs of flexographic labels of course take more time. Printing plates have to be made, materials have to be ordered and delivered, slots must be found in our scheduling. Much of that is handled with the help of our state-of-the art ERP systems, helping us again to get your labels to you faster than just about anybody. Tell us when you need it, and we’ll do what we can to deliver. We like to say ‘Yes!’
Service
Service is all about listening and doing our best to do what you want.
Communication is key, and if something unexpected crops up, we know you will want to know.
If we can do it better or faster, we will.
The best way to find out about our service is to call us, and talk to our people.
You will soon discover why people mention ‘service’ as a reason why they choose us. And if you don’t have an immediate reason to call us, take time to browse through our testimonials.
Price
Are we the cheapest? Not always. We like to concentrate on value – the whole package. But please take time to consider the Common Law of Business Balance. The statement has frequently been attributed to 19th-century art critic and social thinker John Ruskin, and it makes real sense:
“There is hardly anything in the world that someone cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price alone are that person’s lawful prey.
When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do.
The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot – it can’t be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you can do that you will have enough to pay for something better."
