PPB October 2021

compiled by Danielle Renda ‘Where’s My Order?’ Extended lead times are disrupting my clients’ orders. Is there anything I can do about it? Recently, we had a very large order that involved 19 different vendors. The average quantity for each line was 1,000 with several 5,000-itemunits. My client requested delivery in 45 days, which you would think would be okay. Out of that order, 60 percent were vendors with plants in the United States, but three of those suppliers performed the poorest, not only in delivery but also in customer service. One was not taking phone calls, only emails, and one said that I must go to their website, which toldme to go tomy outside rep, whose phone was not taking messages. When I finally got through on the phone it was “leave a message,” which was returned 18 hours later. And they are shipping in 55 days from their own inventory. As for delivery, thank goodness my client was very understanding and the vendors shipping from overseas came through for over 40 percent of the order. I feel we just have to continue to educate that nearly nothing is made here in the states, so be prepared for long delivery times. I think I can handle the challenge if my vendors can communicate with me. To wait a couple of days for a return phone call to ask where the proof is, is just not acceptable. TERRY NEWMAN President The Newman Group New Braunfels, Texas PPAI 107228, D2 So far, I’ve actually gotten business because online distributors have canceled orders as late as the date the itemwas supposed to ship or because other distributors didn’t even want to try. So far, I’ve been able to deliver. Yes, it takes double or triple the time and backup options have to be in place. Even if success isn’t possible, the effort is one of the things that’s going to differentiate the professionals from the wannabes right now. RAMA BEERFAS, MAS, CTSM Owner Lev Promotions San Diego, California PPAI 218331, D1 Unfortunately, ripples of these current supply chain issues will last well in to 2023 as will price fluctuations. It’s a Q A Distributor Asks: I am curious as to how many orders are being lost due to extended lead times and inventory issues for distributors and vendors. There are only so many substitutes that can be made when fulfilling an order, especially if a specific item is needed. I just checked on my production time with a vendor before responding to my client, and their first available ship date is October 7; this supplier used to turn around orders in a week, and my event is October 1. How are other distributors handling these delays? gt29 / vipman / Shutterstock.com 12 | OCTOBER 2021 | INNOVATE