FFDindex™
What is this and how does it work?
The indexing system has been designed to reinforce the reputation of suppliers and encourage both feedback and honest supplier/buyer relationships. In addition, it will offer assistance and assurance to the trade when making buying decisions.
Buyers will be rating suppliers according to how their relationship with that supplier has added value to their business. The index score runs alongside a comment/review system, whereby every scoring must be accompanied by a comment. The author of the comment will remain anonymous to all except the supplier in question.
Who can submit a rating?
Only buyers are permitted to submit ratings, one rating per supplier. Buyers are required to confirm that they have been a customer of that supplier within the past three months.
How are ratings submitted?
When a buyer rates a supplier, they do so by moving a slider along a scale. Every position on the slider represents a score which is then translated into an index.
How should I rate a supplier?
When submitting your rating and comment, the primary consideration should be “to what extent your relationship with the supplier has added value to your business”. Other factors that could also be taken into account include:
- Products - What sort of feedback was received from your customers about the supplier’s products. Did you observe customers returning for repeat purchases.
- Customer service, were you able to get good, clear information about the product(s).
- Distribution network - was the producer able to deliver directly or point you to a suitable distributor.
- Sales support - are relevant sales support activities forthcoming, i.e. POS material or tastings offered by the producer.
Are ratings and comments anonymous?
Ratings and comments are anonymous to all except the supplier who is being rated. Suppliers always retain the “right to reply” and the right for their reply to be seen for all to read.
Can ratings/comments be retracted?
Once a rating/comment has been submitted it can not be retracted. Should the rating/comment be deemed unconstructive, The Vanilla Team have authority to remove it.
