Lost over 800 shirts - PLEASE HELP

ayugup · May 27th, 2017, 05:00 PM

Hello Everybody
I want to know how you deal with this, But let me back up to the whole Story.
4 years ago, I started doing a Certain school, Let name it Lee High school
That time I took papers to get signed by principal saying that he wouldn't change the logo at last minute, and he said my word is my bond. and he wouldn't signed the paper. Everything went fine But
2 years ago That principal retired, and The school got a new Principal( Principal 2)
Everything went fine until this year.
Ok the Logo is 25K stitches, and we charge with shirt $14.99 with logo(Dickies shirt), and if you bring your own shirt, its $7.99
So it takes a lot of time to do 1 shirt. So this year, I went in January to get the paper signed( Principal 2), and he wasn't there. The secretary said he not here, and the principal is not there many Days( Public School, this what usually happens)
We went there Before Spring Break Again, and the Secretary said, Check after Spring Break.
After Spring Break, The secretary said, We are not changing the logo.
Just found out yesterday, They changed the logo, and you have to pre-order first, and you will get it by End on July.
I called the school, through My phone, they never picked it up. My customer called the school, they picked it up in 1 second.
So The owner of our Business ( Not me), went there, and the principal speaked rudely to her. and Said What authority does the Secretary has, I'm the main Decision maker her.

Please Help Me, What I can do

Robert Young · May 27th, 2017, 05:52 PM

so , to be clear, you ran 800 shirts off what the secretary, whom you had known for at least 3 years, told you? without a PO? Not placing any blame as you are from an era where a handshake was all that was needed. Unfortunately that seems to not be the case more and more. Sorry about that.

Will they take the finished shirts at a discount?

Will they take these shirts THIS year and the new design next year?

Is this the only job you do for the school or do you have more leverage in other orders your company does for them?

Maybe this is just a misunderstanding that can be resolved with a meeting?

ayugup · May 27th, 2017, 07:06 PM

Well The principal said, I will not allow the old shirt
Instead He plans to make his own shirt, and then sell them at school

ayugup · May 27th, 2017, 07:07 PM

It's Always about the money to them

ayugup · May 27th, 2017, 07:08 PM

For other school, we sell the Sweatshirt with printed logo for $17 ( We outsource the printing), But this school want to sell its sweatshirt for $25

Robert Young · May 28th, 2017, 04:28 PM

Play hardball... offer the completed shirts at cost... so you are not out. or a little above cost. whatever. DO NOT DO NOT do business again with this man... let him see what options he has. Patience. He knew.. he screwed you. Let him deal with another source. sorry.

ayugup · May 28th, 2017, 08:35 PM

You don't need to apologize because it not your fault.

Well I will try to offer, but he already said he doesn't want people to wear older logo shirts, because if he allows the older shirts, there are 2 more stores probably have those in stock and they might sell all their shirt, which will lead people not buying new shirts.

I don't plan to do business with this man, but this man has connections, which he can screw my business. He works in one of the top rated school( He just inherited new school), his father is a principal for another school, His best friend is already my customer( also happens to be a principal), and he might screw with him.

As an Asian, My customer base is very limited. Because At first i try Private school, and they don't want to deal with me(Even though my prices are way cheaper). Public school people think i should always give them a deal, because they see my color and think we should negotiate.

Plus Black people will listen to other Black people than me. Unless a Person knows me, A human Being usually will deal with their color.

The reason he can do this because he is in power. I have to pay taxes, while he makes like $80,000 salary from public money. And our government always want to increase taxes. ( Louisiana).

AlisonB · May 29th, 2017, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayugup

there are 2 more stores probably have those in stock

Can you sell to those two stores, and at least get your money back?

ayugup · May 29th, 2017, 08:35 AM

Nope, I'm pretty sure they know about the logo change now.
And the thing is if i try to sell to those stores, They will find out why i'm selling, because I have good quality shirts, while they sell cheap Quality.

Robert Young · May 29th, 2017, 02:00 PM

So what now? What has your boss said? New rule? NO PRODUCT production until signed PO maybe? Don't run so many at one time in case things change? Some of your remarks are a bit un-nerving but the question at hand is what to do with these shirts. Sounds like you have given up. BUT have you learned anything that others can as well? New procedures? Have things in writing not on a handshake? Sorry, times are different and for most EVERYTHING is about the money... Relationships seem not to matter as much with each year that goes by.. with each New person in the game.