When it comes to PLC system integrators, it’s hard to believe you’re getting a fair deal sometimes. These guys can be considered “the middle man”. This means that they sell you the product, and then order it from the manufacturer for you which obviously has a cost associated with it and therefore affects their price.
The best way to fight this price increase is to find a PLC system integrator who offers free quotes.
Another way is to be extremely knowledgeable about the product you’re trying to buy and try to beat the quote by understanding what parts they are including in their quote. You can easily do this by calling up all of your local distributors, and getting them to give you a quote that they would offer to the PLC system integrator in question.
There are a lot of things in a PLC system integrator’s quote that can be negotiated, which is why it’s important to have at least 3-4 quotes from different companies before making your decision.
As with anything else in life, negotiate the best deal you can. Be sure to ask if their quote includes installation. Installation costs can drastically affect the overall price of your purchase, so it’s important to know upfront which companies include this fee in their quote.
It’s also important to remember that some PLC system integrators will increase or decrease their prices based on the size of the order you place. If they know that the more units you buy, the better your per-unit price will be, then chances are they’re willing to give you a better deal than if it’s just one small purchase for them.
Another thing to watch out for is double integrators, or integrators who pretend to be manufacturers in order to get more of your business. If you’re dealing with a local PLC system integrator, be very sure of who they are and their relationship with the manufacturer before putting any orders in.
Some of these guys have been known to buy cheap knock-off products from little-known manufacturers just so that they can offer them to customers at cheaper prices. They are then able to offer these low prices because they have no overhead costs. Make sure you know who you’re dealing with before purchasing anything!
Tip: Know what you’re getting for your money
Be sure to ask the PLC system integrator exactly what components are included in their quote. An example would be if they say they will supply you with a PLC, but not sensors or drives. This sort of thing will affect the price, so make sure you know what is included in their quote before you sign anything.
Another example would be if they say they will supply you with a wireless PLC system, but not include batteries or electric access points. Again, this will affect the price, so make sure you know what you’re getting for your money upfront.
It’s also important to remember that some system integrators will up their prices if you want to buy a PLC with more features. This means that the price of one PLC might be $5,000, and another might be $7,500 just because they have additional sensors or IO options.
