Contracts on suppliers’ terms
3 April 2012
Q: A supplier knows that it is the only one that can supply to your short deadline on a £2 million contract, and it insists on terms and conditions that leave you exposed. What should you do?
A: Terry Dunmore, former director of supplies for the NHS in Scotland, writes: The obvious answer is not to get in this position in the first place. However, this is not such an unusual purchasing dilemma. For instance, sourcing spares for capital plant often means there is little choice but to approach the original equipment supplier. Or you may be sourcing...