Frequently Asked Question's

Following is a list of frequently asked questions about TPS and its' role in industrial sales.  For FAQ's pertaining to specific product lines and companies that we represent, please select the product category to the left and scroll down the resulting page to see if there are any.

1. What is the role of a sales representative agency?
   A sales representative agency is contracted by one or more manufacturing or service companies to sell their products and services in a defined geographical area or specific industrial or commercial market segment.
2. Why would a manufacturer want to use a network of sales representative agencies to sell their products?
   A few important reasons are:
   A.   Fixed sales cost.  Sales representatives are usually compensated strictly by commissions from sales made in their territory or per their contract with the manufacturer.  Therefore the manufacturer's sales cost is tied to the performance of each particular sales agency, fixing it to a certain percentage of overall sales in that territory.  The manufacturer saves salary, medical, pension, vacation and all sales related traveling expenses.
   B.   Immediate exposure to a targeted customer base.  Sales agencies usually specialize in certain markets (i.e. TPS specializes in fluid handling products) and represent more than one product line.   Complementary non-competing product lines are sold to the same types of customers.  This provides a synergistic effect benefiting all companies represented.
   C.    An article was written about our company and our role in assisting both our customers and the manufacturers that we represent.  Click Here To View It (available in February)
3. So, you're a "middle-man"...wouldn't I be better-off just contacting the manufacturer directly and cutting-out the "middle-man"?
   No.  Since you are dealing directly with the manufacturer, there are no mark-ups by the representative.  We are not "middle men" in the traditional sense of the word.  We provide more localized services which includes visits, literature mailings, written quotations, entering and tracking of orders and both engineering and commercial assistance.  There is no additional cost for TPS's assistance with an application.
4. Who do I send my order to?
   Send your orders to TPS Inc. c/o [insert name of manufacturer for the item(s) that you are purchasing], via phone, fax, U.S. Mail or Email.  In order for new accounts to be set-up on open credit, most manufacturers require a bank and three credit references.
5. Who do I pay?
   Each manufacturer represented by TPS does their own shipping and invoicing.  You'll make orders out to the manufacturer of the product/service that you're buying and they'll ship/bill you directly.  Checks are remitted per instructions on the invoice you receive and made-out to the manufacturer of the product/service purchased.

Editors note: We haven't really been asked many questions about being manufacturer's representatives.  If you have questions, please email them to us (click inquiry button (below), feedback button (above) or email button (home page)).  We'll answer your question(s) and perhaps add them to this page.

	T.P.S., Inc.  Columbia NJ 07860
	Phone: 908.496.9020	Fax: 908.496.8080	inquiry@fluidproducts.com

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