Regardless, what baffles is their failure to understand that transparency isn’t going anywhere anytime soon; check out this report if you are one of those companies still cowering and hoping it will go away.
Unfortunately for some, transparency equals accountability, the collapse of traditional and inefficient hierarchies, the old boy’s network. In time, it makes it more difficult for suppliers to keep quiet about the customers that they do not want you to know about and instead direct you to the satisfied few.
I am often asked which Soft Play Equipment supplier to use; our current modus operandi means we aren’t able to answer that question; however, my advice is always the same:
Visit our Compare Soft Play Equipment supplier page, review all of the suppliers (everyone is listed for free) and corroborate expert reviews with those of users who have shared their experience to inform future buyers.
Contact three or four suppliers and see who gets back to you, be aware of how they make you feel, how knowledgeable they are etc…( If you are interested in learning how to choose a soft play equipment supplier, please use our guide; this blog is about how to use our review system.)
I was checking out of a hotel recently when on reception, I noticed a pile of business cards. They were supplied by tripadvisor and asked:
How was your visit?
When you get home, please share your opinion of us.
Thank you for your candid comments.
When you get home, please share your opinion of us.
Thank you for your candid comments.
How refreshing, an organisation that understands that consumers value transparency and associate with companies that are willing and able to engage.
Transfer that same philosophy to play and here a few tips to help you evaluate whether suppliers are clinging to the past, hiding and hoping you won’t notice or simply too arrogant to give their customers a voice:
• Number of reviews: Evidence suggests that people write reviews when they feel passionately (either positively or negatively) about a product or service. If a company has no reviews in over two years, ask yourself (and them) why.
• Quality of review: Currently, only the star rating determines the placement of an organisation on our comparison chart. Use the star rating but more importantly, read the reviews, make a note of positives and negatives and measure the supplier accordingly.
• Date of review: Most Soft Play Suppliers will install at least ten play systems per year; if they have no reviews in the last six months, again, it’s time to ask why? Silence should equal suspicion.
• Transparency policy: When you speak to the soft play supplier, ask them what their policy is on transparency; if and how they encourage reviews (e.g. does EVERY invoice issued say similar to the note at the hotel, please share your opinion about us on ShareAndComparePlay.com?)
• Transparency badge: When you visit a supplier’s website, see if you can see this badge. If this badge is displayed prominently (i.e. on the homepage) then it shows that supplier is willing to let you review their performance and measure them against other suppliers.
Often, your gut will tell you when you have found the right supplier; for me, a company that embraces transparency, regardless of revealing its blemishes is preferable to one that hides behind PR departments, market ignorance, arrogance or hierarchy.
One of the few companies that get away with being “opaque” is Apple. It may be hypocritical to say that I do buy off them; unfortunately, no soft play supplier is Apple.
ShareAndComparePlay.com is the Indoor Play Supplier Comparison Website that Saves Play Operators £10,000s. The only source of independent reviews on every Supplier to the Play Industry, ShareAndComparePlay.com works to revolutionise the Play Experience for Children and to enable Businesses to profitably understand and meet the future needs of Families.
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