Problems with Stringjoy string makers

This is very strange and surprising...

I have never ordered their strings, but have exchanged emails with Tom Mulvaney a few times. My last conversation with him was on Sept 14, when he responded to my inquiry within half an hour.

 

It could be any number of things. Last I knew (although I haven't talked to Scott in a while), they're not only doing pretty great but are also building a dealer network as well. So they're definitely still around.

As for the communication breakdown right now, that could be any number of things as well. They could be pulling double-duty in the shop and can't answer emails in an appropriate timeframe, they're waiting on cover wire before they can reply with a proper response, etc..

 

I live in Canada and always order my strings from the US. 2-3 weeks is the norm for me.

 

Just to clarify...

When I posted the comment above, I wasn't trying to dismiss your claim there should have been better communication from Stringjoy regarding the reason for the delay.

 

Not condoning this type of behaviour but if they advise they aren't sure when they would be able to manufacture and ship the strings, they may lose a lot of orders.

 

That’s also partly from manufacturers refusing to sell to GC because they weren’t paying their invoices.

 

True, though they may loose a lot more orders and possibly customers altogether by not telling people. Usually honesty and being up front is rewarded. It's called good customer relations. (Not dissing the company in question, just making a general observation. Most people will think well of someone for being up front, less well of someone who puts them on the "long finger", in other words stalls on giving the bad news.)

 

Anytime I see smaller companies trying to expand this fast it kind of makes nervous I've seen too many try taking on more then they can chew and the customers end up paying for it more often then not. I hope they slow down and regroup abit before they stretch themselves too thin

 

I totally understand your point and under different circumstances I would agree with you.

However, being in their exact situation, I can tell you firsthand that telling customers that "We're waiting on material to make the .105, and will let you know when your order ships" does not work nearly as well as you think it does.

Customers are having a hard time grasping that we're all still having supply chain issues and shortages. They think everything should be "back to normal," when this issue isn't going away any time soon.

Suppliers are pushing things out after giving you a ship-by date. We've had materials that "should" ship by end of June that at the last minute, were pushed to mid August. How do we tell customers that? I can't speak for Stringjoy, but for me, I would want to give our customers a firm date instead of "We're waiting on it, and once it's here we'll know more." That hasn't worked out well.

 

Slightly related, but is there another toilet paper shortage coming? Starting to notice dwindling supplies locally and that's one I want to get in front of.