8 Tips to Get the Biggest Bang for Your Pallet Rack Buck 

Buying a Pallet Rack System Direct vs. a Dealer 

Some pallet rack manufacturers sell directly to customers as well as through material handling dealers. Depending on your needs, this may be the most cost-effective approach. However, for many customers, a dealer can provide a more tailored and comprehensive experience, saving you a lot of time and money in the end. Take a look at these seven things to consider before making your next pallet rack system or warehouse application purchase.

1. 1.     Get What You Ask For vs. the Most Effective Solution

A manufacturer will give you a quote for exactly what you ask for — that’s good, right? Sure, if you know exactly what you need –all parts and components. Manufacturers’ staff are accustomed to dealers and customers with material lists or a specific scope of work. Therefore, if your representative doesn’t ask the right questions, the quote may be incomplete – which is more common than you think, particularly with complex projects including modular buildings, pallet racking systems, mezzanines, and conveyor systems.

A dealer will also give you a quote but from the perspective of what challenge you are looking to solve. The dealer wants your business long-term, and the better and more fairly that they service your account, the more likely you are to become a return customer. You can save significant time and money by working with the distributor to ensure that the product purchased is needed for the application. While that may seem like an upsell, it is actually just good business. 

1. 2.               Total Cost – Manufacturer vs. Dealer Quote

When you receive project quotes, compare the total project cost. The manufacturer will quote the materials and typically not include necessary elements such as installation, accessories, permitting, dumpsters, fire protection, equipment rental, freight, taxes, and project coordination.

Dealer quotes often include full-service support to complete the project. A turn-key approach ensures that the end-user understands the project scope and that everyone is on board with completing the job efficiently.

The Value in Value-Added Services

Choosing a dealer provides you with an advocate to coordinate, consolidate, and assure that the project’s scope includes everything needed to accomplish the specific objective. Value-added benefits can save thousands of dollars and weeks of critical time in unintended consequences and errors that require correction before intended use.  

1. 3.         Freight and Delivery Coordination 

When buying direct, the freight coordination falls on the client. This is a time-consuming project that can result in costly timeline delays if not handled correctly. Freight companies have many questions about the load, tarps, delivery windows, unloading, and require constant communication to coordinate shipments and deliveries. Using a distributor to work out these details is smart and efficient creating time for clients to handle their own business interests. 

1. 4.               Installation

The manufacturer will be happy to send you the pallet rack system components, the modular building components, etc., but do you have the experienced team to install them safely? Installation can involve moving existing materials to make space, renting equipment that requires specific certification to operate, coordinating subcontractors, coordinating dumpsters for trash, and erecting the new materials safely –and often during ongoing operations. A trusted, accountable, professional installation crew is an essential value-added.

1. 5.               Site Visits

Hands-on site representatives usually are not available from manufacturers. However, your distributor will visit your facility to evaluate the most efficient uses and project feasibility at the job site. They will take exacting measurements and design your rack system, building, mezzanine, etc., to fit your space. Your dealer will consider building codes, fire safety, insurance regulations, and operational efficiency for your team and equipment to ensure you are up and running as soon as possible.

1. 6.               Local Representation

Local representatives are crucial to making a project go smoothly without costly change orders and time delays. A price cannot be put on the safety of the recommended products. Local representation can quickly address any safety issues with products and installation. Your local dealer will also be familiar with building codes and regulations specific to that region to help avoid costly mistakes and delays due to local authorities when permits and egress plans are required

1. 7.               Returns and Warranties 

Returns can result from wrong color, wrong size, incorrect capacity, longer than expected lead times… and sometimes simply honest mistakes or spec changes. Typically, manufacturers will not take the material back at the customer’s request; however, a distributor has options such as repurposing, repainting, marketing for resale, or using their leverage with vendors to complete the return.

1. 8.               Licensing, Taxes, and Certification

Most manufacturers are not licensed to install their products, whereas your dealer should provide general contracting licenses, business licenses, and code compliance within the turn-key package. Additionally, manufacturers often do not collect local and state taxes when selling out of state, which leaves the tax liability to the customer. Distributors know the tax laws and pay and collect taxes as part of the sale without customer research. 

Turning a Single Project into a Valuable Long-Term Relationship

When dealing with projects of any size, the risk factor is significantly reduced when buying through an authorized distributor who will act as an advocate for you. Manufacturers get paid for the production of the material. Mitigating costly and timely mistakes is the advocate’s job to assure the end-user that what they are buying is correct for the application and will deliver the expected performance. With value-added knowledge, local representation, and bundling of all necessary vendors, including installation, freight, and taxes, the smart decision is to get the distributor advocate working for you.  

Warehouse Optimizers, Inc (WOI) has built an exemplary reputation in the Southeast by providing excellent products and excellent service for over 20 years. That is how we turn our one-time project customers into valuable customers and friends. 

We provide turn-key, full-service support, including design, engineering, permitting, and professional installation. We employ our own full-time, trained installation crew that installs over 300 projects per year — and we always strive for safety and 100% customer satisfaction.

WOI Installation Team

• Industry Experienced Installation Teams
• OSHA Trained & Certified
• Certified Drug-Free Workplace
• Licensed General Contractor
• Job Safety Analysis
• Forklift, Scissor Lift, and Aerial Lift Operator Trained

Each member of the WOI team goes the extra mile to achieve 100% Customer Satisfaction with our Total Satisfaction Experience. Our commitment to you:

WOI 5-Step Total Satisfaction Experience™

1. We will listen to your needs
2. Execute your project with particular attention to your unique application
3. Stick to project timelines
4. Ensure a safe environment
5. Pay close attention to the detail  of the finished product

Call today to schedule a free consultation and site inspection. Dial (865) 540-4004 or email info@warehouseoptimizers.com for prompt service. We proudly serve customers throughout the Southeast, including KENTUCKY, TENNESSEE, NORTH CAROLINA, ALABAMA, AND FLORIDA.

We look forward to the opportunity to prove to you the value included in working with a trusted dealer. Check out our complimentary blog for more information on Buying Your Pallet Rack from a Local Source.