Interbuy Cellular has been known internationally as a trustworthy, parts distributor who refurbishes cell phones and provides limited warranties. But now they are manufacturing and distributing high-quality accessories for the U.S. market.
They’ve branded the sleek line of carrying cases with the IBC logo, which is the result of willful growth from humble beginnings in Venezuela, over seven years ago.
The company began as a small business in a shared rental office. With a motto: “global service with a local approach” they quickly built loyalty among industry contacts throughout Latin America and the U.S. at the same time that market demand for their services was growing. Interbuy Cellular carved a niche in an environment with limited supply of goods and services for technical, electronic expertise.
The company soon moved out of their small rental office to expand to four regional branches. All that success, however, could not effect change within their home country. In 2002, Venezuela experienced political, economic, and social instability. Company partners, Erwin J. Villegas, President and Jose A. Fuguet, Vice President, put all their faith in the growth of a North American market and their previous success to safely move their families and the business to Miami, Florida.
Battling language barriers and a reticent American atmosphere, the company took a quavering step forward and went to Las Vegas to attend their first Consumer Electronics Show. There they “reached new highs by becoming a preferred vendor with an increasing number of U.S. customers.” This is how Interbuy built their business back home, from the ground up, constantly seeking new customers and developing a reputation and name for themselves through customer service and quality performance. If IBC’s brand name becomes as successful in the States, as the parts and services division of Interbuy Cellular, they are guaranteed another level of expansion from their new product launch. Overcoming competitive challenges, however, will conjure all the usual suspects along the way.
Interbuy’s standards are set very high, which creates frustration when facing the glut of “cheap and unsatisfactory” workmanship in many of the products being shipped here and Latin American countries as well. “Consumers are getting more particular and willing to spend a few more dollars on quality products that last and look good,” Interbuy says. “Modern communications are allowing businesses to make first-hand contacts with business overseas. The problem is that companies lacking industry experience are not getting a face-to-face connection with suppliers and manufacturers so they can’t determine the viability and longevity of a foreign company. In most cases, this approach proves fruitless, as the foreign vendor is often unreliable and/or not compliant with local laws and regulations. In other cases, the search for ‘cheap’ products results in products and materials that do not fulfill the expectations of the US wholesale customer nor the final retail consumer.”
Interbuy continues to supply the market with a fast, efficient response on par with the quality of the products and services that they provide warranted. Managing products that they can stand behind, with limited warranties, works well in product lines and it services the buyers by providing customer service that they can put a price on.
The launch of IBC’s accessory line reflects their ongoing focus on customer satisfaction. “Interbuy insists on a consumer-oriented approach to product and service development. We build our brand and reputation through efficient processes as well as sustained, long-term relationships with vendors, customers and employees. We also continue to believe that playing fair is the only way to go in today’s [highly competitive] business environment.”