Confirm supplier lead times before holidays
Practical answer: Confirm supplier lead times before holidays
Request a clear account of the milestones: confirmation of requirements, acceptance of an order, dispatch and delivery. Ask which dates are estimates and which depend on a later decision. Keep the original quote with any subsequent clarification, so the person approving the purchase can see the conditions that apply.
Holiday planning becomes difficult when a quotation and a delivery date are treated as the same promise. November 2021 provides a relevant setting for asking suppliers how availability, production time and transport conditions affect a proposed order.
Economic context
The RBA’s November 2021 overview described an economic recovery alongside persistent pressure on global supply chains and logistics. Read the RBA overview.
An illustrative example
Suppose a supplier can dispatch an item in three weeks but cannot confirm arrival before a planned shutdown. Record that distinction explicitly. Consider whether a substitute, a smaller initial quantity or a revised start date is practical. A contingency is a proposal for discussion; it should not be described as an accepted change without agreement.
Three points to take into the conversation
- Check availability
- Clarify milestones
- Discuss a contingency
Before progressing the conversation, check that the purpose, current information, responsible contact and next review date are clear. For a corporate-information, supplier or partnership enquiry, contact EJN Services through its enquiry page.
The economic context comes from the report linked above. The process suggestions and examples are original editorial guidance, not RBA recommendations or records of EJN Services engagements.
