UGH!!! I only had to order ONE tee

7769 Views 51 Replies 23 Participants Last post by Charlie9r2, Jan 6, 2015

jleampark

Discussion Starter · May 13, 2014

Ugh! I printed up 30 tees for the Youth Group at my church. One of the designs didn't print correctly -- part of the ink didn't transfer. I tried to fix it but made it a little worse.

I am not blaming the Semo Imprints for the plastisol. I am not blaming SanMar for the shipping.

But... I am only ordering ONE tee for $1.99. The shipping is around $10. That is why I am venting.

I feel (a little) better now.

Thank you for listening.

1 - 20 of 52 Posts

royster13

· #2 · May 13, 2014

You have no "stock" on hand?...I try to keep about 800 shirts on hand....And if I do not have a particular shirt on hand for an order, I always order a few extras...

Reactions: 1

jleampark

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 13, 2014

In a word, no. Or not of this tee. I usually don't use Hanes. Even if I did, I wouldn't have had this color (teal). It would have been better to order one extra in each size in hindsight. But, that might have added up to the cost of shipping.

elcielo

· #4 · May 13, 2014

Live and loin. Stuff happens. You move on.

Reactions: 2

ChristFollower

· #5 · May 13, 2014

If you order a few extras here and there, over time you'll have quite an inventory of colors and sizes built up.

In spite of this, the exact shirt you need will never be on hand, and you'll still wind up buying $12 tees.

Eventually, you'll print all your excess inventory with your logo and give them to customers, at which point you'll instantly need a size and color you just printed your logo onto, after having had it in the shop so long the label doesn't even look like that anymore.

Reactions: 5

cheapTshirts

· #6 · May 14, 2014

Maintain an inventory stock, you will not have such problems again.

I would suggest keep your sales record and try to put them up in Excel sometimes, so that you can figure out which colors are having growing demand, which to replenish. Sale not only gives you profit for today but also leaves the pathway to remain profitable.

Reactions: 1

GHEENEE1

· #7 · May 14, 2014

Joe, have you tried Alpha shirts flex express shipping? I call my orders in.

Reactions: 1

calhtech

· #8 · May 14, 2014

jleampark said:
Ugh! I printed up 30 tees for the Youth Group at my church. One of the designs didn't print correctly -- part of the ink didn't transfer. I tried to fix it but made it a little worse.

I am not blaming the Semo Imprints for the plastisol. I am not blaming SanMar for the shipping.

But... I am only ordering ONE tee for $1.99. The shipping is around $10. That is why I am venting.

I feel (a little) better now.

Thank you for listening.

You had to see that coming. NON of the big boys will let you escape that. They want either a processing fee or exorbitant shipping for really small orders. Kind of like a punishment for not buying a large enough order. Not really worth their time. Lesson learned, NEVER order the exact number for a project. It will bite you in the butt every time. Fortunately, I have a Michael's very near and most times I can pickup 1 or 2 from there when I am in a real bind. Price is usually 3-4 plus tax, (sometimes they have them 5 for 10.00) but a far cry form 12.00 (2+10 s/h). Good luck and hopefully you can get on to making money and toss this one in the 'ol "RAM BANK" for future reference. Good luck>

CalhTech>

Reactions: 2

jleampark

Discussion Starter · #9 · May 14, 2014

@caltech: I have a Michaels and an AC Moore near me that I will use to compliment my orders of Gildan and/or Port & Company. But, this was an odd order for me -- Hanes and teal color.

Lesson learned. On the bright side, I'm still making a profit. With this SNAFU, it's like I am giving them one free tee.

royster13

· #10 · May 14, 2014

jleampark said:
@caltech: I have a Michaels and an AC Moore near me that I will use to compliment my orders of Gildan and/or Port & Company. But, this was an odd order for me -- Hanes and teal color.

Lesson learned. On the bright side, I'm still making a profit. With this SNAFU, it's like I am giving them one free tee.

A "satisfied" customer and the "word of mouth" will have a payback far larger than the 10.00.....You did the right thing....

Reactions: 3

jleampark

Discussion Starter · #11 · May 14, 2014

True. I just wanted to vent. I also got some good suggestions. I especially like the advice of "keep[ing my] sales record and try to put them up in Excel sometimes, so that can figure out which colors are having growing demand, which to replenish."

Now, let's see if I can get off my procrastinating-it's-gotta-be-perfect-or-not-at-all butt and do it.

Anyone wanna place a bet?

Reactions: 1

royster13

· #12 · May 14, 2014

jleampark said:
I especially like the advice of "keep[ing my] sales record and try to put them up in Excel sometimes, so that can figure out which colors are having growing demand, which to replenish."

Trying to figure out what will sell in the future based on the past will "drive you crazy"....It does not seem to work in any consistent manner....You can get better but it will never be "perfect"...

jleampark

Discussion Starter · #13 · May 14, 2014

Royce! Stop peeing in my Cheerios! I was just starting to have a good day here and you---

(deep, cleansing breaths)

Never mind.

royster13

· #14 · May 14, 2014

If it makes you feel better, I have "zero" teal shirts in stock......23+ other colours but not teal.....lol...

Reactions: 1

jleampark

Discussion Starter · #15 · May 14, 2014

Ha!

Thank you.

calhtech

· #16 · May 14, 2014

jleampark said:
@caltech: I have a Michaels and an AC Moore near me that I will use to compliment my orders of Gildan and/or Port & Company. But, this was an odd order for me -- Hanes and teal color.

Lesson learned. On the bright side, I'm still making a profit. With this SNAFU, it's like I am giving them one free tee.

Yep, don't sweat the small stuff

. Time to move on and find some way to make back the $10.00

))

CalhTech>

Reactions: 1

valleyboy_1

· #17 · May 14, 2014

I pick my shirts up from alpha, I never pay for shipping. Did I mention that I AM a Alpha? Lol that's not important

royster13

· #18 · May 14, 2014

valleyboy_1 said:
I pick my shirts up from alpha, I never pay for shipping. Did I mention that I AM a Alpha? Lol that's not important

So does that save you money and/or make you more money?....Gas, wear & tear on your vehicle, your time, etc. all have a cost and/or value...IMO I think most folks would be better off investing that time and expense into marketing effort...

soko61

· #19 · May 14, 2014

That's why you should order more shirts then needed. I imagine it's about a 2% to 4% margin with screen printing and 75% to 80% with dtg printing. (that was a joke, but not really)

onthedole

· #20 · May 16, 2014

Call the customer, explained you messed up a tee shirt and see what they want...

They may have ordered a few extras and would be happy if you throw in another 3 in their next order.

They may need the tees asap, and are happy to accept a refund for one tee and get them the lots shipped asap rather than waiting another 2-3 days for the new shirt to arrive to you and you to print and dispatch.

They may just say they would like a different colour tee that you might happen to have on hand.

You never know...

Reactions: 1

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