overseeing overseas

i have learned more than a girl should in one small decision. going overseas can be painless, yes, i have heard that, but this has been the most detrimental and painful experience punkster has dealt with.

our shirts are supposed to be sent out today from india. actually, 10 tuesdays ago. . .but who's counting. besides our 80 stores waiting for their orders.

things i learned from this experience.
1-have a lawyer handy at all times, preferably one that deals in trade

2-have all contracts, demands and deadlines put in writing before you begin.

3-have a cancel date on that contract. if they do not get the goods out, you have a right to cancel and get any money you have put in to it.

4-they charge for samples. and boy oh boy do they charge. our guy said it cost $11,000 for sampling! onesies! one color! one print! unbelievable. literally, i dont believe it. and we are responsible for paying. something he did not tell us previous to a missed deadline date and half the money gone

5-never send money over until you see the product you are going to get. we sent half our money, our deposit over months ago and that has just been lost money, unusable while we wait for these shirts.

6-work with a logistics manager, our guy fred magner,who we really didnt use for this and should have, has really come in and helped us get out of a fiasco.

kind of out. today is the day those shirts need to leave the ports of india. now will they? and how much can i do it they dont? we told the stores this shipment would be out sept 10th. we gave ourselves 5 days for emergencies. but this is getting scarier and scarier.

wish us luck!