Over the last 3 weeks…
In the last production update for MugStir, Jordan mentioned that we had sent notes to our production partner in China, and we were working toward making the necessary revisions for the T2 sample. We quickly got word from Asia that everything was understood and that we would move forward swiftly towards getting T2 samples. On September 16th, we were asked to specify handle colors for Mugstir: Mocha 728C, Blue 2925C, Pink 232C. Wow! It looked like they were going to send T2s in our specified colors. This was looking hopeful… maybe everything was coming together and the tea party could begin?
On September 19th, we got word that our manufacturer was having problems with the mold (again). It was becoming clear that this tea party was being hosted by the Mad Hatter. They promised T1s would be sent on the 21st; we didn’t get them until the 28th. Jordan got on the case and replied that while the overall shape was better, the flowing metal form of the original design was not being translated.
Beyond that, there were imperfections in the silicone and the handle was still not gripping the lip of the mug correctly (it would still move around when you took a sip of tea). Furthermore, of the colors we expected to receive, they sent… none. We got a red. Which is fine, but it ain’t Mocha, Blue or Pink.
On September 26th, we confirmed an order quantity of 9,000 for the first shipment. We needed to get the T3 right and kick this order off…
At the end of September, we were promised T3s by September 30th, which quickly changed to October 2nd. Finally, our Asia office received the T3 samples and AGAIN: a huge disappointment. No improvements appeared to have been made over the T2s: metal form was still wrong, there were still imperfections on the silicone, and it seemed that they weren’t even using a mold for the stamping, since parts were coming out in different shapes and sizes. We put our foot down on this one, explaining that we could not afford further delays or costs (it had, after all, taken us five months to source… a spoon).
In the next 3 weeks:
Our suppliers have promised us T4 samples this weekend, in the correct colors. That means we should have T4s in hand by October 18th or 19th. We’re hoping they make good on this promise and implement all the changes we called for. We are sticking with this supplier because we don’t want to retool a spoon a third time, wasting both time and money. Today we are resending all our comments to the supplier to make sure they are working towards our design specification for this product. We want to get this right.
The MugStir is available for $12.99 (for a pack of three) in the Quirky store.
6 Comments
Imants | 10/12/2010 6:44 PM
Isn’t mold made after 3d file? How do they get such differences in the overall shape?
William fine | 10/12/2010 7:05 PM
Sounds like you guys need to hire some muscle to go over there and kick some ass…
Clinton | 10/12/2010 8:01 PM
ha – like I said after T1, I would have been on the plane with this one.
Earthsaver | 10/12/2010 8:49 PM
How come you aren’t manufacturing domestically? Do you think the production time and quality would be worse?
Incostress | 10/13/2010 1:22 AM
Why are you manufacturing overseas? We deal with many inventors (in the UK) who have had the same problems, product inferior, delays,language barriers etc. Many inventors are under the impression that manufacturing in China is cheaper, it is if it works with some products, if you can sell by the thousands, but inventors don’t have the money to waste and many do not consider the quantities, shipping costs, import duties etc. Also many do not put penalties on their manufacturer for substandard goods, late delivery etc so the manufacturer gets away with a lot including your money!
There are good local manufacturers around who if you speak to them can bring your costs down and do short production runs. In this economic climate I think the local manufacturers need to start supporting inventors on the home ground to help grow their own economy not someone elses.
BrawnyDT | 10/13/2010 12:21 PM
I understand 100% about issues with sourcing out your products to international manufacturers, though I don’t deal with China, I have lived in Mexico so I’ve got some connections there that I’m using.
I’m currently in the process of launching my own line of leather iPad accessories. It never ceases to amaze me how I will send an exact schematic, completely measured and 100% workable, and they will send me back something that looks totally different and tell me they made some “improvements.”
Each time they do this and I tell them it was not what I originally wanted, they apologize, request more money, and promise to get it right the next time. Which it isn’t.
Rinse. Wash. Repeat.
The endless cycle of frustration ensues.
Add into that the complete unreliability on any sort of delivery date, and I’m about to call it quits and find a more professional outlet even though it will raise the price point significantly.