I was always being solicited by printers and in fact, that's who I'd probably get the most sales calls from, and it wasn't surprising to get at least 1-2 inquiries a week from different printers throughout the country.
The typical sales pitch would be: "We've got offices throughout the country". "We offer competitive rates and the best quality, so can I send you out some samples?" "Let us come by and schedule a meeting, so that we can discuss what we have to offer". I respond back with a "no, thank you", just get me some rates because with SL, I just simply go to their website for their rates with no hassle. That's one of the pluses with dealing with a "gang-run" printer.
In order to get rates through other printers, it usually takes about a half day to even get an eff'n quote. Once I get it, I found out that the printer is often several times more expensive, so then I ask "what's your turn around times"? They respond back with, well about a week. I ask, can you have it to me by tomorrow, and they respond back with "yes we can, for a RUSH fee"!?! Eff that! Well after all that is said and done, it's definitely way more expensive, and I have to pull my Trump card which is (SL), but I don't pull it till I've already received the free pastries, donuts (WTF, how about something healthier), or BBQ set complete with metal briefcase (thank you Orange County Printing).
There's no fringe benefits with dealing with SL except for very competitive rates with great turnaround times. I don't necessarily expect anything more although I've been dedicated to them for approximately the last 7+ years, and I even remember when Joey or some other chick would answer the phone. The chick sounded very cute (Gina?), but I haven't heard her answering the phones since I first starting using the services (I got a flyer at a import automotive event). I know I don't spend hundreds of thousands of dollars, but not having to wait for some of the email promotions for a promo code would be a nice benefit for staying a loyal customer.
Service is usually very good. There's been several people, esp in the front who have come and gone, and there's a couple chicks in the back office who have been very helpful except for one who was fairly new (she sucked), but the one that stands out is Peter. He's gone the extra distance on several projects that saved my ass, so I definitely appreciate having that dude on board.
The website, I'd like to see someway of putting in multiple projects in at one time vs. individually, especially when submitting 10+ business cards. Having to go through the process one by one is really time consuming for my staff.
During the last several years they seem to have moved to larger and larger buildings, and I've tracked them down every single time. Most recently they moved across the street from the offices I was at in Irvine which made things even better cuz I'd have our projects picked up in less than 5 mins.
I'll continue to support Smartlevels, and I only share my source with my good friends who need printing services because having SL is seriously a game changer when it comes down to competitive printing services and basically up to next day turnaround times.
MINI UPDATE (10/13/11): Dean saved me on a project. He called and asked about something I didn't really bother checking on, but he did and he saved the project from a major mistake. So thank you Dean! read more