Diary of a Demented Store Owner

Wednesday 12 November 2008

I don't Understand... Never Mind, I Actually Do...

According to our one and only Canadian stained glass supplier (OOCSGS)- due to the cost of importing from the U.S. they "must add a currency surcharge to our invoices, to partly offset increased cost due to the sharp rise in the U.S. dollar".

But wait a minute... there's alot of stuff that is made here in Canada (lead, solder, irons, clear glass, kilns, many chemicals, etc) and paid for in Canadian dollars -surely we aren't going to be charged the 14.9% U.S. dollar surcharge on these items? After all, it didn't happen in the past when we had a competitive wholesale market. Both suppliers were careful to strip out all non-U.S. goods before adding the surcharge.

Oops, we don't have the protection of competitive market anymore. And yes, we are expected to pay this U.S. dollar surcharge on everything- including Canadian goods also...

We've found another supplier for some of these Canadian supplies. To save 14.9%? Partially. To feel better about not allowing ourselves to be taken advantage of. Absolutely.

But for most of our competitors, there isn't another supplier.

Remember, this blog does accept comments, which we love to get (yes, even from Gary Brown).

And if you're scared, you can even do so anonymously.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a bunch of aholes!!!
They have not one ounce of humility. They know they can run roughshod over all of us because we have no alternative. Disgusting!!!
Anon

Anonymous said...

I'll give you a sense of the kind of people you're dealing with. On second thought I won't. Just imagine the most arrogant, self-serving, greedy, uncompasionate person you know and look at him or her as your best friend, because this OOCSGS is worse- definately not a friend to stained glass- only a friend to that one person's pocket
Me

Anonymous said...

monopolies, shmonopolies. This is a clear case of a company who just doesn't give a shit about us. Your not alone Mike, lots of us agree with you. I'm just sorry we're all smaller and alot more scared to say so publically.
XX

Anonymous said...

I know how you feel Mike.
You are not the lone ranger.
Your Canadian Company is just
trying to recoup some loss.
When they get close, they will have
a fire sale. And then they will be
gone. or they will turn into a retailer like you.

Anonymous said...

We love you Mike! I too feel taken advantage of and powerless to do anything about it. You pointing out stuff like this scam of a surcharge is just another sample of how we are all getting racked over the coals. But, good things come to those who wait.

Anonymous said...

You better be careful Mike- remember there's only one supplier and you're pointing these things out. I can only think back to the nastiness they pulled on you with the Hydro Approval thing on saws awhile back
J.
P.S. it would be nice to hear more from others who deal with them- good (unlikely) or bad,

Anonymous said...

Stop whining Mikey! If their Canadian customers get smart, they won't be around for very long,

Anonymous said...

Doesn't anyone else in the industry have anything to add here, or are we all doomed due to the complacency exhibited by all affected by this pathetic situation?
J

greg said...

We all recieved are monthly updates
from HGC with our pricing updates. They have increased some of there prices plus this surcharge. Meanwhile the last two months American wholesale prices have plummeted. Between there pricing and stock shortages HGC is running there business into the ground and taking mine with it.