How would you approach this situation: you haven’t done business with a manufacturer in over a year, but you’ve kept in touch and even introduced them to your U.S. distributor.
Now, the manufacturer is asking for payment upfront before shipping their products to the U.S., and they take weeks to respond to even the simplest questions.
What are your thoughts?
If communication is slow, that would be my main concern. I don’t know exactly what your USA distributor is doing for you, but if they are not talking to you, they are not dealing with as an equal. You need someone who takes you seriously.
Now, if you look for other companies/distributors to help you, look on the western side of the United States. The eastern side is having a dock strike that will greatly effect speed of all shipments.
I would find this concerning. Maintaining contact and even facilitating a relationship with my USA distributor should have built trust, yet the manufacturer now requiring payment in advance and taking weeks to respond signals potential issues with communication or reliability. This not only slows down operations but also increases financial risk, especially when dealing with upfront payments and delayed timelines. I’d reconsider the partnership if they don’t improve their responsiveness and transparency, as it’s essential for maintaining a smooth supply chain and customer satisfaction.