Parts suppliers that take forever are killing my schedule

Ordered a simple door gasket for a dishwasher from my usual supplier. They said it would be here in two days, but it took a week (of course, right when I promised the client a quick fix). Had to deal with an angry customer because of the delay. Now I always call ahead to check stock, even for small parts. It's a hassle, but it keeps things moving.

3 comments

3 Comments

iriscoleman8d agoTop Commenter

But what happens when you hear them rustling around and they still come up empty? I've had the guy on the phone swear he's holding the part, only to find out it's the wrong model. Their computer systems seem to be stuck in the past, always showing stock that isn't there. Now I make them send a phone pic of the part on the shelf with that day's date. It feels over the top, but guess what? It works. We shouldn't have to jump through these hoops just to get a simple part on time.

brooked407d ago

Saw a thread about this on a contractor forum last week. Basically everyone says the supply chain is still a mess from top to bottom. Even the good warehouses have people who just scan a box wrong and boom, the whole system is wrong. Your photo idea is smart, it cuts out the middleman of their bad data. Just ridiculous we have to go that far for basic stuff.

murphy.barbara8d ago

Oh man, tell me about it. Last month I waited two weeks for a refrigerator water valve they swore was in stock. Had to call three other suppliers just to find one, and my customer's kitchen was a mess the whole time. Now I don't trust any ETA unless I physically hear them pulling the box off the shelf.