DSF

At some stage the co-op buying discussion will start again I know, we've looked at it and it's probably not possible...but....

Loads of us no doubt buying the same stuff so yes, direct from China looks feasible.

My issue isn't so much that they don't have it, it's that they run out and don't tell you until you chase the delivery. You're then told stock is coming in and it just gets delayed. I appreciate that's not always the suppliers fault and it's hard for them to work with manufacturers overseas but that's their problem, we have enough of our own

Regarding stock levels, they were talking about this in the Brexit deal and that many manufacturers don't stockpile parts or stock. Everything arrives in as required and then out the door again. So if we are going to be using middle men wholesalers to buy our stock, they have a duty to do their 'one job' and stockpile goods. We may as well buy from China direct.

If I'm out of stock, as a retailer, my customer goes elsewhere, whereas the wholesaler knows that we will probably wait and buy later. They don't loose out as we do. And who has the cash flow and warehouse space to stockpile mugs for 6-9 weeks of supply?

But surely that also relates to a supplier.

You operate as a just in time supplier to your customer (otherwise you would have plenty of stock) so why is it that a supplier can't operate in the same way. As you say you may as well buy from China, but if you use that reasoning then look at the costs v stock. Firstly your saving will be nominal (I would be surprised if it is more than 15p per unit) and you will be required to purchase thousands of whatever item it is which is something that you (or me tbh) wants to do. I like just in time delivery but I also appreciate the risk involved. I just don't see it as a supplier fault.

You have used mugs as an example and it is common knowledge that for most suppliers there is pennies in the profit for mugs. If we are not prepared to pay a higher cost for the unit why should they hold thousands of mugs on the shelf in the hope that you have a good month and sell more than usual.

My issue isn't so much that they don't have it, it's that they run out and don't tell you until you chase the delivery. You're then told stock is coming in and it just gets delayed. I appreciate that's not always the suppliers fault and it's hard for them to work with manufacturers overseas but that's their problem, we have enough of our own

If there is a thread about supplier communication I am 100% right behind you

Earl Smith;135357 wrote:Another moan...this one for Justin. Why do you use an American spell checker???? Colour is spelt colour and not color. Same with digitising and not digitizing. Maths is maths and not Math. Grrrr....

Did you ever think I might be American? Moan moan bloody moan.

I'm guessing you mean why does the forum use an American spell checker not me? Or do you mean your browser setting? Give me a clue.

Maths is maths and not Math

This is one of my own pet hates. I cringe everytime I see or hear it.

socialgiraffe;135373 wrote:But surely that also relates to a supplier.

As you say you may as well buy from China, ...)

China isn't going to run out of stock for the same price per unit. It depends on the bulk size of the product really and MOQ.

Just for the record, China have run out of stock of the slates we use! Factory closed by government for pollution and when re-opened couldn't coat due to humidity, result, next shipment to our suppliers expected in January!

Justin;135374 wrote:Did you ever think I might be American? Moan moan bloody moan.

I'm guessing you mean why does the forum use an American spell checker not me? Or do you mean your browser setting? Give me a clue.

I presumed Justin that its the Forum settings, sorry. However, I only write on this forum and rarely anywhere else so I never really noticed the "spellchecker" correcting my spelling when writing letters or emails. Usually I write in German so I`m constantly being corrected anyways.
Now I think about it, it is probably my browser (Chrome) settings and not the forums.

Justin;135408 wrote:Just for the record, China have run out of stock of the slates we use! Factory closed by government for pollution and when re-opened couldn't coat due to humidity, result, next shipment to our suppliers expected in January!

Closed by government for pollution lol. Better re-write my environmental policy! I was trying to get a special product coated, but Chinese company said that they couldn't do anything in the summer due to the humidity. But it finally arrived 5 minutes ago!

Justin;135408 wrote:Just for the record, China have run out of stock of the slates we use! Factory closed by government for pollution and when re-opened couldn't coat due to humidity, result, next shipment to our suppliers expected in January!

You print onto matt slates don't you? Who do you normally buy from because a couple of sites have these in stock.

usually glossy but I prefer the matt tbh. usually buy these through Subli Blanks. They have stock of some sizes but it's the 8x6 we needed.