Voices | Solutions What Would You Do? Industry pros are quick to share expertise, insights and opinions on all things promo. Amid this batch of answered questions, distributors share how they handle odd requests, clients’ orders and former employees. Compiled by Kristina Valdez Q A Distributor Asks: I am having a problem with one of my suppliers. I’ve ordered 1,000 totes every year for several years now. It is not a special order. This time, they didn’t have enough left in stock to complete the order. They’re unsure when the stock will come in. They have my order, and I have approved the proof, so everything is ready to go when the stock comes in. Now, they want me to pre-pay for them to order the stock. I don’t feel it’s appropriate for me to be pre-paying for something they are not even sure they’re going to be able to get. Thoughts? It would be one thing if they were not able to get the stock in because production and shipping is so bad right now, but the fact that they want you to front the money, that would be worrisome. BRENDA KNOLL BUDD Owner BKB Custom Gifts Gulfport, Florida PPAI 798305, D1 Don’t pre-pay unless you want to use a credit card and they give you a pre-payment discount, plus no charge for the use of the card. This way you can dispute the charge if it doesn’t come in. Get in writing when the order is due in and a guaranteed cancel date. RUSSEL STEINBERG Owner Welamat Livingston, New Jersey PPAI 570612, D1 Red flag, and you sense it. Trust your gut on this and find another solution. Best wishes, hope it all works out! LISA DEANE Owner Fuze Richmond, Virginia PPAI 579477, D2 AKorkmaz / Mr. Luck / SkazovD / Shutterstock.com 32 • JUNE 2023 • PPAI
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