Why the Cheapest Is Not Always the Best – Over the past few years’ many industries have been hit as procurement has moved away from the old-fashioned ways of ‘people buying from people’. That was where an enquiry would be followed up with a face-to-face meeting and once the technical and financial details had been established the order was placed. At those meetings, the client could put forward their requirements and the industry expert had the opportunity to offer their guidance and recommendations based on their many years of experience.

In more recent times however, electronic tendering has become the norm. The client will make their best endeavour to put forward a technical specification for all to tender to and often price is king and over rules quality and longevity. There is little consideration when it comes to the tendering processes for the cost to maintain the lower quality product. Most cheaper alternatives will require a high amount of work during their lifespan and in the end the cost of maintenance and replacement parts outweighs the cost saving made against the higher quality product in the first place

This photo is a classic example of how price was the driving factor over quality and specification.

Below is the product AFTER Lightmain had been called in and asked to rescue it. We conducted a complete refurbishment of it including grit blasting, hot dip galvanising and new powder coating.

All Lightmain products are supplied with a Hot Dip Galvanized Finish which, regardless of the environment and use will offer outstanding performance even if the surface finish of powder coating is broken due to damage or vandalism. We pride ourselves on high-quality products and that is why we offer an unbeatable 25 year guarantee on all our MUGA’s.

In another example of why the cheapest is not always the best, a Multi-Use Games Area was installed without a hot dip galvanized finish. This would have offered a reduction in cost of around £2000 to £2500 at the time of purchase. However, in just a short amount of time, the panels were so rusty that the costs to remove the panels, grit blast, galvanize, powder coat and re-fit, along with the associated transport, was in the region of £10,000 to £11,000. Yes, there is a slight increase in cost for superior specification, but it is insignificant compared to removing and refurbishing or even replacing the product entirely.

So as the title says, this is why the cheapest is not always the best.

For the absolute best in high quality, durable outdoor play equipment and multi-use games areas please do not hesitate to call Lightmain on 0114 282 1259.