Gripe 1 - Ahhhhhhhhh - It is now impossible to buy metal keyrings in black boxes WITHOUT stickers attached saying "Made in China".
BMS use to be the only source for these without stickers and now all of a sudden we had a batch turn up in grey stripey boxes with the words "Made in China" PRINTED onto the boxes. Sent them back.
Xpres - Our other supplier have two stickers per box - one with "Made in China" and the other with the Xpres product code.
WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO SELL A UK PRINTED ITEM TO A GIFT SHOP THEN THE LAST THING YOU WANT IS THE CUSTOMER TO PRESUME THE WHOLE ITEM WAS MADE IN CHINA. Grrrrr
These stickers do not easily come off even under heat so if anyone knows of a hidden supplier of these that come without stickers or a spray that perhaps melts the glue then please let us know.
Gripe 2 - Ok we are now out of glass chopping boards (20x28) but found two UK suppliers with some left. And yes we did bulk buy 6 months ago and have been trying to source these in bulk for 3 months now with little success. Finally managed to order some from both Listawood and Longforte and guess what - they come packaged TWO TO A BOX. WHAT THE HELL?! We meant to sell two chopping boards to one person. Sent back!
Grip 3 - SublimationTrade - Held onto our money for three months now with no refund (even though promised it) and only partial order. A call to trading standards will happen on Monday.
Thank you for letting us vent.
Back to the grind stone.....