When you buy hardware from the people who are maintaining your network it is in both your interests that it is fully capable of carring out the work that you need it to and that it will last the course.  When you buy it from a big vendor the sales rep will say whatever they need to to get the sale safe in the knowledge that when you do have a problem you will be dealing with a different department.

Big corporations don't depend upon good word of mouth they depend upon huge advertising.  Small companies depend upon a good reputation and that inclines them to work harder to make sure that you get what you need.