Photo Slate Shortage..

[Ucase Ltd]

Does anybody know what's going on with photo-slates?

Everyone seems to be out of stock (especially the 15 x 20cm).

I've seen some "matte" ones around but I only use gloss (Rock & Photo),

I tracked a company down on Monday who had some left and ordered 30 but they've just delivered the wrong size and now they've sold their remaining stock to somebody else. (I won't out them here as they were very apologetic and are trying to make up for it).

Trouble is now I have orders waiting to go out the door.

Anyway - Ranting aside...

I'm guessing there is some kind of supply problem in China but does anybody know if this is a long term thing or not?

Cheers,
John.

[bms]

No problem with supply, just a problem of keeping up with demand. There is stock of the same size but with holes and rope for hanging.

[pisquee]

we're needing 100 more of them to fulfill orders taken at Home and Gift over past few days. we did clear out a supplier earlier today, but they only had about 40 left (apologies to ucase if it you were shopping from same supplier)

[Ucase Ltd]

Hey Pisquee - Yep - When I spoke to the guy on Monday he had 42 and they said someone just bought them all today so probably, but hey - Not your fault
Think I've managed to get some for Friday but never used the supplier before and never heard them mentioned on here so fingers crossed.

bms - That's good to know, thanks! With everyone selling out at the same time I thought it may be something more serious. Unfortunately the holed ones aren't suitable for my needs.

[pisquee]

Seems Coral are back in stock...
http://www.coralgraph.com/sublimation-p ... tion-slate

[pisquee]

only seemed to have a couple in stock though, which went quick

[pisquee]

Well, the 40 odd we bought in from the company we used were the matte ones, so we're gonna be waiting for a supplier to have 150 glossy in stock, and sending these back

[Ucase Ltd]

Well, the 40 odd we bought in from the company we used were the matte ones, so we're gonna be waiting for a supplier to have 150 glossy in stock, and sending these back

Oh No! Assuming its the same company I actually called to check they were rock & photo before ordering as I thought all the "Rock & Photo" branded slates were glossy and the brown boxes were matte.

[pisquee]

Never seen brown boxes ones - I would much prefer unbranded boxes so we could actually use them for sending to customers. These are Rock and Photo branded, and still product code SH03. What I've noticed in the past, is that the matte ones have a better quality print on the box, and the feet branded with Rock & Photo logo, wheras the gloss ones we've had don't have the branding on the feet.
I did find a wholesaler yesterday where we can get them half the price we've been paying if we switch to matte ones, so it is tempting, but we've them got 100 stockists to convince!

[Ucase Ltd]

I've never seen matte rock & photo (or branded feet) but I have some coming this morning (hopefully) - Just hope they are gloss.
Yes I've seen the matte ones at 1/2 the price also If we're looking at the same site it's a shame they don't have a wider product range as the prices are excellent- Tempting like you say but the customer wants what the customer wants.