"Multifamily Vendors" Versus "Multifamily Suppliers"

I always find it interesting how we change our wording over time, such as from "apartment complex" to "apartment community" or from "tenant" to "resident". Anyway, we thought that a shift might be happening from multifamily "vendor" to "supplier", so we did a small poll to see what our fellow Insiders thought. As of right now, here are the results!

"Vendor" - 28 votes
"Supplier" - 8 votes
"Business Partner and friend" - 8 votes
"Either are fine with me" - 4 votes
"Industry Partner" - 1 vote
"Service Provider" - 1 vote

Granted, this isn't an all-inclusive poll or anything, but it does look like the term "vendor" is here for a while!

From a previous career stop, I always preferred a business relationship between a vendor/supplier and consumer of the product to be thought of as a partnership. That term implies that there is work done between the two sides to make sure what is delivered is what is actually required and that what is consumed is a bit more than a commodity pulled off a shelf, even when that is exactly what it is. The relationship should be evolving and not just a WE/THEY situation--I place an order, you deliver it, we put it in storage until we need it, rinse repeat.

There is nothing wrong with the terms 'vendor' or 'supplier', but I just think we should always look to make such relationships multi-dimensional, a development which will benefit both sides.

I know in our association vendors are known as associate members.

As a Commercial Sales rep for Westlake Commercial, we’re usually called Reps/Suppliers or Partners here in Midwest at least! ????