Survey: Price vs. Quality vs. Speed: What Wins a Merchandise Order

Australian businesses have plenty to think about when ordering branded merchandise. They want something affordable, good quality and delivered on time. But what happens when they can’t have all three? Would they pay more for better quality, or choose a cheaper product to stay within budget?

In our survey, we asked 18 Australian marketing and procurement managers to complete the online survey we sent. This survey will provide insights for other procurement managers who are buying merch for the first time on which aspect to prioritise when ordering: price, quality, or speed.

Key Findings

• 7 out of 18 respondents chose price as the most important factor when placing a merchandise order.
• 6 out of 18 respondents chose quality over price and speed.
• 5 out of 18 respondents chose speed as the top priority for their order.

Price vs Quality vs Speed

Price leads by just one selection over quality, and two over speed. Interestingly, 11 out of 18 choices favour something other than the lowest price. That makes a good case for looking beyond the initial quote when choosing branded merchandise.

The pattern also reflects broader industry research. The Australasian Promotional Products Association (APPA) surveyed 228 merchandise buyers across Australia and New Zealand. Its research found that 26.3% prioritised price when choosing a supplier, closely followed by quality at 26.1%. Those figures come from a separate study with more purchasing options.

Every Dollar Counts

It’s no surprise that price matters to Australian businesses, especially with the cost of living and operating expenses still putting pressure on budgets. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, annual inflation reached 4.3% in September 2026. Businesses are paying closer attention to where their money goes, and marketing budgets are no exception.

I wouldn’t recommend choosing the cheapest option straight away. It’s worth checking the quality first, because saving a few dollars won’t mean much if the bag feels flimsy or the printing wears off quickly. Spending a little more upfront makes sense, especially if you want people to keep using the product long after they’ve received it.

Quality Still Matters

Quality is particularly important when businesses give merchandise to clients, staff or prospective customers. People are more likely to appreciate something they can use regularly, especially when it feels well made.

APPA’s 2025–26 research also highlights the marketing value of branded merchandise. Among 399 recipients surveyed across Australia and New Zealand, 81% could recall the brand on merchandise they received, and 66% reported visiting the brand’s website or social media. Those are encouraging figures for businesses investing in products that people want to keep. We offer several ways to help buyers assess quality before committing to a bulk order. These include:

• Unbranded physical samples
• Branded pre-production samples
• Free digital artwork proofs

Our account manager, Katherine Durham, recommends requesting a physical sample when ordering a product for the first time, especially if you’re buying hundreds of units. As she explains, photos can give you a good idea of the design, but they can’t tell you how thick the fabric feels or whether a drink bottle is comfortable to hold.

Deadlines Don’t Wait

Speed can quickly become the deciding factor when a business needs merchandise for an upcoming event. A company organising a last-minute conference may have to choose between its preferred product and one that’s available for faster production.

That’s why we offer 24-hour express dispatch for eligible products, so you have an option to speed up production when needed. Customers can also choose our standard production service when they have more time to plan. For urgent orders, our Swami Rossat, one of our account managers, recommends taking the following steps to help avoid delays:

• Tell us the required delivery date and location in the first enquiry.
• Have the company logo ready in a suitable artwork format.
• Consider products available for express production.
• Allow time for freight after the merchandise has been dispatched.

Another thing he always suggests checking is the difference between production time and delivery time. A product dispatched within 24 hours still needs to travel to its destination. That’s especially important for regional locations, where freight can take longer than deliveries to major cities. You may learn more about it in our Shipping and Turnaround Times.

Finding the Right Balance

Our advice is to decide what matters most before placing an order. Here’s how we can help:

• If price matters most, we’ll compare affordable products and printing options to help you stay within budget.
• If quality comes first, we’ll help you check samples before committing to a large order.
• If speed is the priority, we’ll recommend products that can realistically arrive before your deadline.

We know businesses can’t always get the lowest price, highest quality and fastest turnaround in one order. That’s why we look at the purpose, quantity, budget and deadline before suggesting products. We can help you find an option that meets your priorities without spending more than you need to.