General Questions • Supplier Questions • Distributor Questions

General Questions

Can end-customers access the Link2Promo service in any way?

No. Link2Promo is for the sole use of professional Promotional Products Suppliers and Distributors. Each Link2Promo member must furnish at least one of the following membership identifiers: Awards and Recognition Association (ARA), Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), or a Universal Promotional Identification Code (UPIC). In addition, we verify the applicant's industry membership using various industry databases. Finally, each supplier has the complete freedom to use their existing policies and procedures to properly qualify the potential customer as a legitimate distributor. Link2Promo in no way interferes with existing business practices.

How is Link2Promo different from SAGE, ESP Online, or DistributorCentral?

SAGE, ESP Online, and DistributorCentral are valuable services, but they require the distributor to put forth all the effort of finding the suppliers and products that they need. As the number of suppliers and products in the industry increases, the distributor's burden becomes greater and interferes more and more with their ability to build their business and serve their customers. The Link2Promo service turns this inefficient model on its head by putting the "search burden" on the true product experts, the suppliers.

Are there any special computer requirements to use Link2Promo?

Link2Promo is an Internet-based service and as such only requires an up-to-date web browser such as Mozilla Firefox 3.0 or higher, Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 or higher, or Apple Safari 4.0 or higher. Javascript must be enabled for Link2Promo to function properly and certain Link2Promo features also require that the Adobe Flash Player be installed and enabled.

Are there any special network requirements to use Link2Promo?

No. As an Internet-based service, all that is required is a connection to the Internet. As with most sophisticated Internet services, Link2Promo will work best with a high-speed digital connection, such as cable, DSL, or a direct connection via a T-1 line or higher.

I don't have Adobe Flash Player installed. Where can I get it?

Adobe Flash Player is a free download from Adobe Systems Incorporated. Click here to download it.

If I have other questions or need help in using Link2Promo, what should I do?

You can send us a message via the Contact Us link. We will either call you or respond via email.

Distributor Questions

Does Link2Promo cost the distributor anything to use the service?

No. It's "free forever" for all distributors!

Is my identity kept secret as a part of my listing?

No. Link2Promo acts to connect suppliers and distributors in new ways, but does not interfere with existing business practices, or put up artificial "walls" between suppliers and distributors.

Is end-customer information visible to the supplier in any way?

No. No end-customer information is entered or required to use the Link2Promo service. Suppliers will not be able to identify the end-customer from any listing you publish.

Does Link2Promo impose any requirements on distributors using the service?

No. We simply act to connect suppliers and distributors in an innovative fashion. The supplier and distributor interact with each other in their usual and customary ways. Once we have made a listing available to a supplier, our role is complete. It is the then the supplier's responsibility to respond to the distributor with useful information that addresses the distributor's request. The distributor is under no obligation to do business with any responding supplier.

How do I know what information is provided to the supplier in my listing?

You will receive an exact copy of each listing email that the supplier receives.

I have a group of suppliers I use for most orders. Why do I need Link2Promo?

If you have a good group of suppliers who give you good service at a fair price, then you may not need Link2Promo for those orders. Link2Promo excels in helping you find additional or alternate suppliers, or suppliers for "hard-to-find" products. If you've ever been asked to find an unusual or "off-the-wall" item by your customer, and had no idea where to look, you need Link2Promo!

Which suppliers receive my listings?

Suppliers subscribe to product categories that fit their product lines. Unless you have marked a particular supplier as being on your "Supplier Blacklist", all suppliers subscribing to the product categories assigned to your listing will receive your listing.

What if I don't want specific suppliers to receive my listings?

Simply add those suppliers to your "Supplier Blacklist", select the "No Blacklist" option when you create your listing, and they will not receive your listing.

What if I only want certain suppliers to receive my listings?

Simply add those suppliers to your "Preferred Suppliers" list, select the "Preferred Only" option when you create your listing, and they will be the only suppliers to receive your listing.

What if I've published a listing and then have to make changes?

Simply edit the original listing, select the "Publish-Revised" option, and re-publish the listing. The listing will be marked as "Revised", which will alert the supplier to look for changes.

How often are listings sent to suppliers?

All listings marked as "Publish-New" or "Publish-Revised" will be sent to suppliers each half-hour.

How many times can I re-publish a listing?

As many times as you need to. All you have to do is change the listing status to "Publish-New" or "Publish-Revised" and it will be re-published within the next half-hour.

Can I send photos or artwork as a part of my listing?

Yes. Simply upload them to your image library, and then select the appropriate images to attach to your listing. The supplier will be able to download these images when they receive your listing.

How quickly should I expect responses from suppliers?

This depends on the product categories involved, whether you restrict listing distribution, and the specifics of your listing. Simple listings for products which are broadly available will receive relatively quick responses. Complicated listings with very specific requirements may take longer.

Can I control how suppliers contact me with their responses?

Yes. As you create your listing, you select the "Contact Preference" option which tells the supplier that you want to be contacted via email only, telephone only, or either way.

How do I know if a responding supplier can meet my needs?

You apply the same standards you would apply in the usual case. Link2Promo simply acts to make it easier to find potential suppliers, but does not warrant or guarantee their performance.

Supplier Questions

Why would a supplier want to use Link2Promo?

Link2Promo gives the supplier an opportunity to improve customer service, shorten response time, and potentially gain new customers. Distributors looking for "hard-to-find" products or an alternative to their current supplier in a given product category will distribute listings asking for assistance in sourcing their needs. Suppliers subscribing to the pertinent product categories have an early opportunity to be of service, and potentially gain new customers and sales.

Does Link2Promo cost the supplier anything to use the service?

Yes. After the initial free trial period, suppliers pay a monthly or annual subscription fee based on the number of product categories to which they subscribe. Annual plan fees are provided at a discount from the associated monthly subscription fee. Subscription fees are all-inclusive, with no additional charges.

Does the supplier have to upload their catalog to Link2Promo to participate?

No. Since distributors send specific product requests to you, all you have to do is respond with the product information that best meets the distributor's needs.

Do you provide any guarantees as to the number of listings that will be received?

No. While we will do our best on an on-going basis to ensure that distributors are aware of our service, we cannot guarantee that listings will be available for any product category.

Does Link2Promo impose any requirements on suppliers using the service?

No. We simply act to connect suppliers and distributors in an innovative fashion. The supplier and distributor interact with each other in their usual and customary ways. Once we have made a listing available to a supplier, our role is complete. It is the then the supplier's responsibility to respond to the distributor with useful information that addresses the distributor's request. The supplier is under no obligation to do business with any distributor requesting information or assistance.

How do suppliers learn of new listings?

New listings are emailed to the supplier, and if they opt for it, notifications are also provided by text messaging via Twitter. Suppliers may designate an unlimited number of contact email addresses and/or Twitter usernames to notify when a listing is available in one of their subscribed product categories.

Do you offer payment terms?

No. Payment terms are not available, and all payments must be received via credit card charge at the beginning of the subscription term commencement.

How much does this cost?

Click here to view our membership plans and pricing.

How does billing and payment work?

Each supplier member is billed at the beginning of each month, or at the beginning of the year, as appropriate for the subscription plan they've chosen. Fees are immediately charged to the credit card number entered by the member in their profile at the time of permanent registration.

What if I want to deactivate my membership?

If you decide to cancel your membership, please follow the specific instructions contained in Section 11 of the Terms of Use.