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Topic:
Portal, you are making a SERIOUS mistake
This thread has 323 replies. Displaying posts 136 through 150.
OP | Post 136 made on Tuesday July 31, 2018 at 17:13
3PedalMINI
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On July 31, 2018 at 15:51, GotGame said...
Using email to vendors for orders from portal is not a good way to do business.
"For that reason, I'm out."

For some reason I see Barbara in this statement! Lol!

Anyone else find it strange how silent portal has been?
The Bitterness of Poor Quality is Remembered Long after the Sweetness of Price is Forgotten! - Benjamin Franklin
Post 137 made on Tuesday July 31, 2018 at 20:32
ichbinbose
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On 1533066667, GotGame said
"For that reason, I'm out."

So not making an investment.....
Post 138 made on Wednesday August 1, 2018 at 01:18
SOUND.SD
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On July 30, 2018 at 19:29, goldenzrule said...
Talking with Portal's "Happiness Director".  He said that Portal will absolutely not pick up my next day shipping on the order I had to place today.  The onus was put back on me again because I should have gotten an email confirmation.  No, your system is broken if I order through you and for whatever reason the order does not get placed.  If the goal is to make everything easier, I should be able to simply place the order and be done.  I've now wasted an hour and a half on this issue tonight.  If I just ordered through snap's site like I always do, I would have spent 0 minutes on this now.

What email did you send it to? I sent to my rep once and was scolded and told to send to [email protected]

Havent had an issue since.
Bulldog AV - San Diego, CA
www.bulldog-av.com
[Link: facebook.com]
Post 139 made on Wednesday August 1, 2018 at 01:22
SOUND.SD
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On July 31, 2018 at 08:07, Ranger Home said...
I just dont see the benefit of adding a middle man to the mix. What could be easier than just using snaps website? You know it works. You know it gets processed. You know it ships. You know you get confirmations. You know you get tracking numbers.

You dont see the benefit in clicking the order button and immediately submitting your order to all of your vendors at once without recreating the order on 6 different websites and having a built in PO tracking system?

Im trying to tell you guys you are really missing out on a much simpler business process by nit picking and discounting what Portal can do for you. Frankly, I am shocked but to each their own. I can do it for you. If you dont like it, dont use it. If you like the proposal tool but not the ordering tool, just pay the $50.
Bulldog AV - San Diego, CA
www.bulldog-av.com
[Link: facebook.com]
Post 140 made on Wednesday August 1, 2018 at 06:48
Ranger Home
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Yes, we see that benefit, but I think you are missing the point that it doesn't work as well as it needs to. That's what I am seeing here. Ordering from some vendors/manufacturers IS a pain. There IS value in a one-stop shop but not if it doesn't do it the way you need it done. Thus my point, if a middle man mucks things up, it has no benefit. That cant really be argued no matter how much anyone tries to spin it. I'm also seeing no one gives a rats azz about $50, IF it was worth $50 IF it was working.

That said, once Portal is fixed, we could all tout the value-add. And that day will likely come. This thread would change its tone. Until then,,,,
Post 141 made on Wednesday August 1, 2018 at 07:47
andrewinboulder
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On August 1, 2018 at 01:22, SOUND.SD said...
You dont see the benefit in clicking the order button and immediately submitting your order to all of your vendors at once without recreating the order on 6 different websites and having a built in PO tracking system?

Im trying to tell you guys you are really missing out on a much simpler business process by nit picking and discounting what Portal can do for you. Frankly, I am shocked but to each their own. I can do it for you. If you dont like it, dont use it. If you like the proposal tool but not the ordering tool, just pay the $50.

Has the PO process been smooth enough that you feel confident all the orders will go through when you submit? Or do you have to go and double check with all the vendors afterwards?
Post 142 made on Wednesday August 1, 2018 at 08:21
goldenzrule
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On August 1, 2018 at 01:18, SOUND.SD said...
What email did you send it to? I sent to my rep once and was scolded and told to send to [email protected]

Havent had an issue since.

I didn't email anyone, Portal did.  They used the exact email address they asked for me to submit, my rep.  If there is an issue with this process, it is on them to fix it.  I have never had to check for order confirmations from any of my vendors, ever.  If I placed the order, it comes.  Enough of the BS of putting the blame on us for ordering through them.  Portal did the same thing, saying I AM THE ONE that should have checked my confirmation to make sure it went through.  If you want me to use the service, then make it work as it should.  I order online mainly from 4 vendors.  All 4 have websites that I can order from that work well, 3 of which are very easy to use and one that is not the best site but mainly with finding products you are not sure of what you are looking for.  Enter the model number in search and it comes right up.  I can order everything I need in a matter of minutes from all my vendors without any issues.  If I am waiting to receive confirmations emails and going back to check that the order went through on every order, it will not be faster to use Portal.  Sorry, thats just the truth.  I'm happy you have had such success, but maybe your usual vendors do not have very good websites.  I tried to give them the benefit of the doubt and continue using them during my testing.  They failed at 3 things that make it impossible to move forward with them.

1) their pricing is off on items.  Not every item, but enough that it means I have to verify pricing on every item I add to a proposal if I do not know the correct price off the top of my head.
2) the updated proposal software is glitchy and does not look good when printed/sent.  They may fix this over time, or part of these issues.  Someone mentioned they said they have no plans to fix some of the issues that fall under this umbrella
3)  the ordering system needs a major overhaul.  This experience added both unneeded stress and a lot of wasted time on my part.

I like the concept that Portal has brought to the table, but it needs major fixing to be a viable option for me.  Paying is not the issue, has been stated over and over.  I mainly used just the proposal software in the past, and it worked really well for me.  Sure, it being free was great, but it was easy, fast, and looked great.  With the new update, it all changed, free or pay.  It doesn't work as well at present, it doesn't look as good, and I have seen pricing issues I did not see before.  Why did not see many pricing issues before versus now?   Maybe vendors updated their pricing recently and haven't informed them. I am not sure, but it is not my job to keep that updated, it is Portal's.  It is not the vendors responsibility either, which creates the conundrum, as how is Portal to know if the vendor doesn't have to tell them.  The only way I see to ensure pricing is accurate is if Portal has access to their websites and get alerted to changes.  Portal should have access to create orders that are entered as if we went right on each vendors sites and not rely on an email.  Like I said, I like the concept, but there is too much broken at present that you may be fine overlooking, but I am not.
Post 143 made on Wednesday August 1, 2018 at 10:39
Audiophiliac
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Still waiting for the link to the free and perfect alternative.....
"When I eat, it is the food that is scared." - Ron Swanson
Post 144 made on Wednesday August 1, 2018 at 13:52
Fred Harding
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I'm going to wade into the pool just a little bit.

Many of my dealers use portal for a variety of reasons.

As a distributor, when someone places an order with portal directed to me, portal processes, sorts and forwards an email to me. I get it, and I open it, and I acknowledge address, shipping, and items. If I don't open it, portal sends me a reminder email after a while (same day, half an hour?) saying look at this.

I look at it and if pricing is wrong (due to manufacturer promos, price increases, etc) I notify the customer. Most of the time pricing is good, because we provide it to portal on a VERY timely basis to make sure it's accurate. If pricing is inaccurate, do not blame portal, blame the supplier you chose. Frankly, it's set up so it's their responsibility to update pricing.

After completing the order, I send a confirmation to my dealer saying all in stock, shipping today, due to you by such and such, depending on all that stuff.

The failsafe is if I don't look at the order, and it's not entered, portal won't send a confirmation email. So looking for a response is a way to not only know it was received, but also stock status, etc. To me, it's like emailing an order; if I don't get a "got it" message, I'm nervous.

Hope this helps clarify some of what the process is like from my side.

Does not address any of the other issues, like charges, etc. Good luck with those.
On the West Coast of Wisconsin
Post 145 made on Wednesday August 1, 2018 at 14:19
goldenzrule
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On August 1, 2018 at 10:39, Audiophiliac said...
Still waiting for the link to the free and perfect alternative.....

Nobody is acknowledging your comment because it has nothing to do with money. Which has been said over and over. So if you want to ask about issues, fire away
Post 146 made on Wednesday August 1, 2018 at 16:43
imt
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On August 1, 2018 at 13:52, Fred Harding said...
I'm going to wade into the pool just a little bit.

Many of my dealers use portal for a variety of reasons.

As a distributor, when someone places an order with portal directed to me, portal processes, sorts and forwards an email to me. I get it, and I open it, and I acknowledge address, shipping, and items. If I don't open it, portal sends me a reminder email after a while (same day, half an hour?) saying look at this.

I look at it and if pricing is wrong (due to manufacturer promos, price increases, etc) I notify the customer. Most of the time pricing is good, because we provide it to portal on a VERY timely basis to make sure it's accurate. If pricing is inaccurate, do not blame portal, blame the supplier you chose. Frankly, it's set up so it's their responsibility to update pricing.

After completing the order, I send a confirmation to my dealer saying all in stock, shipping today, due to you by such and such, depending on all that stuff.

The failsafe is if I don't look at the order, and it's not entered, portal won't send a confirmation email. So looking for a response is a way to not only know it was received, but also stock status, etc. To me, it's like emailing an order; if I don't get a "got it" message, I'm nervous.

Hope this helps clarify some of what the process is like from my side.

Does not address any of the other issues, like charges, etc. Good luck with those.

Fred,

Thanks for the info from the distributor side. I think there are two issues.

1) One is the pricing in Portal. As you mentioned its the vendor that provides the update to Portal. That's fine but... when you are in the catalog and enter in an item, it doesn't show you the last time the price was verified on that screen, by the default vendor set for that item. You would have to manually click into every item in order to see how long ago that price was set (i.e. last verified). This should be stated right on the initial screen where you can click to add to proposal or.. at least shown when you say to "add to proposal". Then that could be the 1st clue something is off and then allows dealers to push the vendor for more repeated updates. Now we know, based on what you said.

2) This leads to the "ordering" side. Caveat here is I haven't done an order only a test PO once or twice, so maybe it does do what I am about to state.

For one its possible that a price could have changed between the time an Integrator created a proposal to the time it was accepted and ordered. This could be in either direction. So, Portal should be checking the pricing in the poposal vs. what is in the database as current. There then should be some designation (color change, text, etc) letting you know that the price is different then what was the cost set on your proposal for those item(s). Second, it also should reflect the same info showing you for each item when that price was last verified.

Second issue is Promo's and qty price breaks. You stated you check for those when you enter the order and then adjust. Question is are all Vendors doing that? This again means you need to check websites to ensure you are being billed the correct qty break price or promo price, if less. I see a lot of potential here from portal since they should be able to pull in the full catalog, price breaks, etc and alert dealers if an item has breaks and how many. Should be able to enter in promo pricing as well to alert dealers. or Prompt dealers that an item they quoted is on special non an outstanding proposal. "Supply Stream" was an ordering centric system so you would think this part would have been nailed down.

Third, is ordering time. As you stated an email is sent and you have to open it. If you didn't open it after a period of time then you get alerted again. However, this does nothing for the dealer that submits an order prior to a shipping cutoff expecting that the order will ship out that day as it would if placed direct on the vendors site. How is an integrator to know how much earlier in the day they need to submit to make same day cutoff's or even next day shipments? Its the emailing of orders that is an issue and weak link. If this was electronically submitted orders direct into the system via the integrators account number, which Portal already has on file, then this would be a different story and we would feel more secure.
Post 147 made on Wednesday August 1, 2018 at 16:51
Fred Harding
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IMT

Very good points.

I cannot speak for other distributors.

Pricing on some categories has become incredibly elastic in recent years, and I do my best when delivering quotes to ask if they want promo price or regular price. My preference, from years ago, would be at quote level to have regular, and be pleasantly surprised with the lower purchase price. Others, not so much.

I do not notify dealers when prices change on quotes until they are ready to purchase.

I check my emails before I leave for the day at 5 pm central time, and process any orders accrued.

I cannot speak for others.

If you are in a time sensitive situation, get on the phone and talk, if possible.
On the West Coast of Wisconsin
Post 148 made on Wednesday August 1, 2018 at 17:51
SOUND.SD
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On August 1, 2018 at 08:21, goldenzrule said...
I didn't email anyone, Portal did.  They used the exact email address they asked for me to submit, my rep.  If there is an issue with this process, it is on them to fix it.  I have never had to check for order confirmations from any of my vendors, ever.  If I placed the order, it comes.  Enough of the BS of putting the blame on us for ordering through them.  Portal did the same thing, saying I AM THE ONE that should have checked my confirmation to make sure it went through.  If you want me to use the service, then make it work as it should.  I order online mainly from 4 vendors.  All 4 have websites that I can order from that work well, 3 of which are very easy to use and one that is not the best site but mainly with finding products you are not sure of what you are looking for.  Enter the model number in search and it comes right up.  I can order everything I need in a matter of minutes from all my vendors without any issues.  If I am waiting to receive confirmations emails and going back to check that the order went through on every order, it will not be faster to use Portal.  Sorry, thats just the truth.  I'm happy you have had such success, but maybe your usual vendors do not have very good websites.  I tried to give them the benefit of the doubt and continue using them during my testing.  They failed at 3 things that make it impossible to move forward with them.

1) their pricing is off on items.  Not every item, but enough that it means I have to verify pricing on every item I add to a proposal if I do not know the correct price off the top of my head.
2) the updated proposal software is glitchy and does not look good when printed/sent.  They may fix this over time, or part of these issues.  Someone mentioned they said they have no plans to fix some of the issues that fall under this umbrella
3)  the ordering system needs a major overhaul.  This experience added both unneeded stress and a lot of wasted time on my part.

I like the concept that Portal has brought to the table, but it needs major fixing to be a viable option for me.  Paying is not the issue, has been stated over and over.  I mainly used just the proposal software in the past, and it worked really well for me.  Sure, it being free was great, but it was easy, fast, and looked great.  With the new update, it all changed, free or pay.  It doesn't work as well at present, it doesn't look as good, and I have seen pricing issues I did not see before.  Why did not see many pricing issues before versus now?   Maybe vendors updated their pricing recently and haven't informed them. I am not sure, but it is not my job to keep that updated, it is Portal's.  It is not the vendors responsibility either, which creates the conundrum, as how is Portal to know if the vendor doesn't have to tell them.  The only way I see to ensure pricing is accurate is if Portal has access to their websites and get alerted to changes.  Portal should have access to create orders that are entered as if we went right on each vendors sites and not rely on an email.  Like I said, I like the concept, but there is too much broken at present that you may be fine overlooking, but I am not.

Hilarious. You didnt generate the process? You dont have the ability to change the email its sent to? I mean seriously...come on... you guys are complaining about day one basic set up stuff that would save you un told hours if you just put some common sense thought into it.

THIS IS INSANE! You guys are willing to do 10 times the work to avoid doing a little extra work once. I am completely baffled. I guess you cant please everyone, and thats why portal isnt responding. Obviously businesses have learned that there is always going to be a bitchy minority and to just let them ride while you focus on excelling your product for those that get it.

INSANE!
Bulldog AV - San Diego, CA
www.bulldog-av.com
[Link: facebook.com]
Post 149 made on Wednesday August 1, 2018 at 18:14
goldenzrule
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On August 1, 2018 at 17:51, SOUND.SD said...
Hilarious. You didnt generate the process? You dont have the ability to change the email its sent to? I mean seriously...come on... you guys are complaining about day one basic set up stuff that would save you un told hours if you just put some common sense thought into it.

THIS IS INSANE! You guys are willing to do 10 times the work to avoid doing a little extra work once. I am completely baffled. I guess you cant please everyone, and thats why portal isnt responding. Obviously businesses have learned that there is always going to be a bitchy minority and to just let them ride while you focus on excelling your product for those that get it.

INSANE!

How the fvck am I supposed to know THEIR process of sending invoices in?  This is on THEM to set everything up to work each and every time.  They asked me for info, I supplied it.  They asked me for more info, I supplied it.  They failed here, not me.  Not the others that had the same issue.  I don't set their pricing on their website.  It's on them to update it, not the vendors.  The vendors didn't create their system, the vendors didn't go out of their way, jumping with hands in the air asking to please join this process.  Portal ASKED THEM to be a part of it. I am completely dumbfounded that you and others like you just accept mediocrity now a days.  People that just accept crap that manufacturers make and hand down to us and guys here that just say, eh, it is what it is.  Years and years ago, people took PRIDE in the shit they made.  This concept should be a good one, but it is at present poorly executed.  You want me to use your system, make it work 100% of the time.  It saves me nothing using their system.  It really takes me no time to place orders online from the various vendors I use.  I would say that it takes me about a minute per vendor to jump on their site, add everything to the cart and send the order.  So how is Portal really saving me that much time?  Literally just punch the model number in the search field as soon as I get on their site, add to cart (with quantity if more then one), send in order.  Go to next site, rinse, repeat.  Portal, if working as it should, will save a little time, I admit that.  But its literally a couple minutes at most.  If I have to constantly look over my shoulder for that confirmation, its not worth it.  In my case, I sent in several orders through portal for a few jobs.  I received several confirmations back but did not get one back from snap on this one order.  I did get others back so I missed that the one order did not get placed.  I don't have time to constantly check.  Over the next 20 days, I am working 20 days.  Yeah, zero days off, 7 days a week.  I basically have time to eat, get online to check emails, do some invoicing, check here a for anything new and relevant and thats about it.  If I have to now keep checking and getting on vendors, portal or whoever to ensure orders are being placed after I send orders in, then something is broken in the system.  If you want to save me real time, than dump my order into their system electronically, not via an email, and ensure that each and every order is placed in real time, not down the road when a rep decides to check their email.  As Fred said, he checks his email at 5.  That might be past shipping cutoff for some vendors.  If I placed the order at 10am and it doesn't go out till the next day because of that, that is a problem (not Fred's fault, just using his post as an example)
Post 150 made on Wednesday August 1, 2018 at 18:38
goldenzrule
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I wanted to add that I do hope they get it together and fix the issues. I really am pulling for them.  I don't think the guys and gals at portal are bad people.  I just think they need to tweak things to get to the desired results.  The proposal tool should be easy to fix.  Fix the font and picture sizes mainly and I think its ok.  The pricing issue, I am not sure the best way to handle it, but relying on the vendors to send it to them doesn't seem like the best way.  It puts the responsibility on someone outside of their business.  Again, not sure how to fix that.  As has been mentioned, emails is not the best way to handle orders.  Access to the ordering system at the vendors in some form or other would be best.  All I know is there needs to be some tweaking to eliminate any possible issues which as of right now, is clearly too common judging by what not just myself has said here, but what others have said they've gone through using the service as well.
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