The recent poll posted on DistributorTalk.com now has a clear winner. The big question was “SAGE vs ESP, which is better??” With over 67% of the vote, SAGE has taken the title. Both SAGE and ESP are great Windows based product research tools, but apparently SAGE is the favorite among distributors.
Check out the original poll on DistributorTalk, and the details on an additional poll conducted by PPAI.
It’s no surprise SAGE beat ESP. It’s less expensive and works better.
I agree with Remy! No comparison for searching for products! Cost is so much lower and it is extremely user friendly and effective!
I believe ESP is a better product. Cleaner screens, ease of use.
I have used both and find ESP to be better. What you are getting back are responses from people who decided by price. Sage is less expensive which means more users. That should be easy to understand. Sage users always start by saying it is cheaper and in this business we all know that “cheaper” means cheaper. You can get a cheap pen from Hit or a pen from Sanford. That’s all I’m saying…
I have to disagree. Years ago, before esp and Sage had websites, I decided on Sage because I could see supplier catalogs page by page, as well as item by item. Since then, I’ve periodically compared the two, and Sage always wins.
It’s less expensive, yes, but also more user friendly, excellent tech support, always helpful and friendly personnel. Regular updates continually improve the program and add more features I find useful.
AND I’m not continually bombarded by phone calls, email, and snail mail trying to sell me more products.
I’d like to see this question opened up and asked about ALL of the various search sites. It should also include a question about the blast companies and what dist. think about them. I use a new one on the web called Virtual Web Trade Show fairly often and find it very easy to negotiate and yes it’s FREE to distributors. A lot of distributors probably don’t know about it yet because it’s only a little over 2 years old. As the web gets used more by everyone more will come on board and we should be asking about all of them not just ASI and SAGE who have admittedly been in the industry longest. Also, what about Dist. Central, they’ve been the arm of PPAI. Maybe PPAI would like to know what distributors think about them?
Dave, how do you access Virtual Web Trade Show? I tried to google it, but hundreds of entries came up!
Pat
We were using ESP for a long time we found that the products were misfiled under wrong catagories and we were not getting our monies worth. We went to sage and found exactly the opposite. Sage is easier to use and more complete as to this date.
I did not make my decision based on price, athough Sage is less expensive, so that is a bonus. Their product is very user friendly and it has all the features we are looking for. Their personnel are so helpful and friendly and I do not find that with ASI. Sage has excellent technical support and again, everyone could not be friendlier and more willing to help you. When I call ASI they seem annoyed you are calling. Regular updates continually improve the program and add more features we find very useful.
Sage also doesn’t continue to send sales blasts or call you wanting more business.
Hi
I think ASI# ESP Rip off
Karen McClure, I couldn’t have said it better. I agree with you completely. I used ESP for six years and now use Sage for the last three. Couldn’t be happier with the product. You’re right…the bonus is that it’s a fraction of the cost!
I would not use anything else! SAGE has worked great for me and it is a MAJOR part of my company’s growth. Thank you SAGE.
I agree with Fred. ESP is better and SAGE is cheaper so it has more users. I’ve used both simultaneouly and ESP is so much more professional.
I really can’t comment on ESP because I have never used it. Yes, I am a small business and probably couldn’t afford it, but I can afford Sage and their customer service is excellent and the product is good, but is not as complete as it’s potential could be.
I have used Sage for almost 7 years I think. There is no comparison between the two. Also the pricing is updated by the vendors themselves so that isn’t an issue unlike ESP when we used it years back. Our company was among the first to subscribe to ESP. GO SAGE!
We are a Chinese led light up promotional products manufactuer. I’m wondering if we can use Sage for advertising our products
I found ASI to be imperious, expensive, non responsive. I find Sage to be helpful, approachable, and apparently becoming very successful.