In it up to the neck

 April 26 – Company #2 is teaching me new things about itself by the day.

The MD there (no CEO’s for them!) was on the phone this afternoon asking for advice. They have bought in a pile of product from the Far East. It has arrived. There is an error in it. The printing has meant that a licenced image has suffered colour distortion and the licensor has said the product can’t be used.

MD in a panic. Can he sell it anyway?

No, of course not I said. Go back to the printer, I said.

No, I can’t he said. We trusted them. No one checked it on press or before shipping.

You’re stuffed then, I replied. And asked, not as an afterthought, how much it would cost. The answer gave rise to a sharp intake of breath on my part.

OK, I replied. That’s the price for not having a proper quality control system. Get round here pronto I demanded and let’s sort it out.

Not before I grovel to people we’ve already sold this product too and now can’t supply, he said.

So, are we liable to them for losses, I asked?

I think so, he replied.

I’m coming to you, I said.

It may be a long evening.

How can they be so stupid?