One of the challenges we face in the world of custom order is the ever dreaded backorder. With the downturn in the economy, many factories are cutting back inventory and that makes us have to be even more on top of things for our clients. Even though we check availability of frames and fabrics, etc. before presenting to our clients we still occassionally get an acknowledgement of our order with the B-word next to an important item. If the expected delay is going to be too long for our clients we have to reselect.
The delays are can be in production. Sometimes they can be in shipping as a typhoon in the Pacific can slow up the boat. Truckers can strike. Hurricaine Katrina slowed everything down as we learned that a large percentage of foam used for upholstery cushions is imported through New Orleans. We’ve had product stuck in customs, especially when homeland security elevated the threat levels. Today I heard a new one. We just ordered a chair for a client and the fabric was expected to be in stock any day which made me feel good about placing the order. Then I was told that a machine at the fabric mill broke down and they had no idea how long it would be to get the right parts. Oh brother!