oboloo

oboloo FAQ's

What Is The Difference Between A Vendor And A Supplier?

What Is The Difference Between A Vendor And A Supplier?

If you’re in the business world, you’ve probably heard the terms “vendor” and “supplier” thrown around quite a bit. Although they may seem interchangeable at first glance, there are some important differences between the two that can have significant implications for your company’s operations. In this blog post, we’ll break down what each term means, how they differ from one another, and why it matters to your bottom line. So whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just dipping your toes into the world of commerce, read on to learn all about vendors vs. suppliers!

What is a Vendor?

A vendor is a business who provides goods or services to another business. They are the company who delivers the good or service, and they are paid for their work. Suppliers, on the other hand, are businesses who sell products or services to customers. They do not deliver the product or service, and they do not get paid for their work.

What is a Supplier?

Vendors:
-Provide products and services to their customers
-Are in business to make a profit
-Are contracted by companies to provide specific goods or services
Suppliers:
-Supply products and services to their own customers
-May be in business for the purpose of making a profit, but are not contracted by other companies
-Make the products or services they provide as part of their normal job

The Difference Between Vendors and Suppliers

Suppliers are businesses who provide products or services to other businesses. Vendors are businesses who sell their own products or services directly to their customers. Suppliers often outsource certain tasks to Vendors in order to decrease their workload. Vendors may also outsource certain tasks in order to increase their flexibility and capabilities. Suppliers usually have a long-term relationship with their customers, while Vendors typically have a more short-term relationship with their customers.

The Benefits of Being a Vendor or Supplier

There are a few key differences between being a vendor and being a supplier.

A vendor is typically active in the market they supply, whereas a supplier is not as focused on the market they service. Vendors typically have more direct customer interaction, while suppliers may rely on intermediaries. Suppliers may also offer customized products or services.

Vendors typically have higher customer retention rates than suppliers because they are more engaged with their customers. They also tend to have a better understanding of their customers’ needs and wants, which allows them to provide them with better solutions. This translates into greater loyalty from customers and, consequently, improved business metrics for vendors.

Finally, vendors face less risk when selling their products because they are actively promoting their goods and services; this contrasts with suppliers who often sell without any promotion or marketing budget.

Want to find out more about procurement?

Access more blogs, articles and FAQ's relating to procurement

Oboloo transparent

The smarter way to have full visibility & control of your suppliers

Contact

Feel free to contact us here. Our support team will get back to you as soon as possible

Oboloo transparent

The smarter way to have full visibility & control of your suppliers

Contact

Feel free to contact us here. Our support team will get back to you as soon as possible

© 2024 oboloo Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of oboloo content, including by framing or similar means, is prohibited without the prior written consent of oboloo Limited. oboloo, Be Supplier Smart and the oboloo logo are registered trademarks of oboloo Limited and its affiliated companies. Trademark numbers: UK00003466421 & UK00003575938 Company Number 12420854. ICO Reference Number: ZA764971