The Riskiest Product in Our Industry…
An article written by Jenna Markowski from Quality Logo Products got us thinking about perils of selling flash drives, which is one of the most popular items in our industry. Flash drives are a practical item and offer a great branding opportunity. They can, however, be risky from a supplier, distributor and consumer standpoint.
We've asked our friends at TIER 1 FLASH to share their expertise on this important issue. In addition to providing some beneficial selling information giving you a competitive advantage, they will give you tools to empower your profitable sales efforts. Through July 31st, 2014 TIER 1 FLASH will give you a FREE personalized flash drive website. They will also teach you how to protect yourself and use that risk to your advantage so you can sell like a pro.
Amazingly, at the AusCERT conference, an event focusing on information security, IBM unknowingly distributed flash drives that contained two-pieces of malware. You wouldn't think that a huge company like IBM would hand out infected USB drives at a security conference, but it happened. This story can be found here. Where did the malware come from? Somewhere in the supply chain, but who knows exactly where?
Distributors should provide quality products that protect their client's brand. Obviously, that didn't happen here.
Nearly 40 percent of USB drives sold on the web do not contain the tier 1 flash they claim. Unscrupulous sellers use black, upgraded and recycled flash to lower their costs and increase profits. These drives can fail and corrupt their data with no warning leaving a stain on the reputation of the client who put their logo on it. Anyone that does not take the time to vet their suppliers can fall victim.
Remember that flash memory is a commodity—like corn, crude oil or pork bellies. It costs every manufacturer the same to buy it so if someone is offering a price that is below market, be very suspicious! The only way to ensure your safety and the safety of your client is to buy from a reputable supplier. Reputable suppliers will deal only with ISO certified factories that they visit themselves to ensure that stringent quality control protocols are followed.
