Waterworks Update – Global Shipping

Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer so far. After the past year, we certainly all deserve it!

I apologize for the mass email, but wanted to effectively transmit this message.  As I am sure you are seeing in your own showrooms, business is going well and we are selling a lot of Waterworks. Thank you!!!  We are now 6 weeks away from August, when the European vendors will shut down for their traditional summer holiday month. This means orders placed today with lead times greater than 6 weeks will be pushed 4 additional weeks due to production closure. Compounding on these delays, we have record demand for product pushing all vendors to their capacity.  Globally, not all regions have recovered evenly, leaving some parts of the world still in the midst of the pandemic – causing delays of vital raw materials to vendors. Additionally, the shipping industry is not back up to full speed. Ports are delayed, staffing is low across the shipping industry, and containers are taking weeks to book whereas they once took less than a day pre-pandemic. We also see delays with air freight, where it has taken up to 4 weeks to get items booked for flights to the US. I need to stress that these are global issues, and not exclusive to Waterworks. While we manage through this time, I implore the sales teams to be transparent, open, and honest with your clients about lead times and expectations.  August closure is nothing new – post-pandemic shipping recovery is very new.  We provide a Shipping and Open Orders report twice weekly, Thursdays and Sundays, that highlights updated shipping dates and any changes to open order lead times. Please check with your purchasing/management teams to review your open orders and work with them when these issues arise. I will work with you however I can to keep business flowing and maintain your clients happiness. I am asking you to work with me by effectively communicating the gravity of the global shipping situation with your clients.  I stress again, these issues are FAR bigger than Waterworks.  We as industry experts understand the nuances at play and it our duty as sales professionals to share this knowledge and information with our clients.

Basco Supply Chain Update

Supply Chain Update
We are continuing to work through the backlog of orders created due to our previous material outages, and are completing orders as quickly as possible. The ship date on your original order confirmation is still accurate and reflects when we plan to make and ship your door. We realize the inconvenience this delay has caused and are working quickly to fill all orders. 

We are stepping down lead times incrementally so that older orders entered with longer lead times will be completed before newer orders. Our current lead times are still ten days for all Basco products not affected by the outage. 

At this time, we expect longer lead times to continue for all configurations of the Rolaire in Brushed Stainless Steel finish through the summer. We recommend the Rolaire in Chrome as a replacement. 

We sincerely apologize for these delays and appreciate your continued patience. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Customer Service
Contact 

Communication from California Faucets

MTI Price increase Effective August 13, 2021

As the attached Price increase announcement explains, we will have another price increase effective on August 13th, 2021.  We had hoped to avoid another increase, but our suppliers continue to significantly raise our pricing. This increase will be a 5% increase across the board. Please read the attached letter regarding outstanding special quoted pricing.

True Prices (summer of 2021)

In these times of hyper inflation as supply chain disruptions and cost increases are upon us, we are forced to adjust prices as needed.  The current price schedule you should using is dated 6.1.21.  (For both Residential & commercial)  There will be another price adjustment 8-1-21.  The good news is while there are leadtimes, we are better, much better than most.  Email me any questions you have on our projected leadtimes.  Thank you for this unprecedented time of growth for our fine USA built ultra-premium True products.***

However unfortunate these price increases are forced upon our industry,  True continues to sell at a record pace. Thank You!!!

Sonia Inventory Availability

When Opportunity Knocks Make Sure You Are Ready to Answer the Door!

Updates from Marvin Montgomery
Sales Tip #547 From The Sales Doctor
When Opportunity Knocks Make Sure You Are Ready to Answer the Door!
Your customer will provide you with opportunities to close for commitment. It could be verbal or visual.

These opportunities are referred to as Buying Signals.

A verbal buying signal could be a question that asks for additional information. How long will it take? A visual buying signal could be nodding of the head while leaning into the conversation.

If you overlook your customers’ buying signals when opportunity knocks, you will miss the opportunity to close the sale.

Remember, sometimes opportunity only knocks once!

Kartners Introduces Black Matte Mirrors

Responding to the extraordinary demand for Matte Black bathroom accessories, Kartners has added this new finish to our LED Cosmetic Mirror offering. Black Matte is a highly popular finish for bathroom fixtures and accessories not just because it looks stunning, but also because it does an excellent job of hiding fingerprints. The product is available in two designs options: Round and Square.               

We have limited inventory on these right now, with a large shipment due to arrive in August.

BSH Supply Delay

Cove Dishwashers

Attached is the Cove Appliance Dealer Letter and a retail poster. Please put the poster in the place with recall information. This information explains the voluntary recall.

   First, Cove will repair all DW in Homes. Home owners should call 1-888-651-9376 or email support@coveservice.com.

   The Cove Appliance Team is handling all questions. (1-888-651-9376)