I had a conversation with a staff member yesterday. We have a supplier who has a big problem with their outsourced warehouse operation, the outsourcers aren’t shipping product. We are awaiting delivery of 1,000 stuffed dogs and owe this supplier about $11,000 due at the end of this month (for product we already have). It was suggested we withhold payment in order to put more pressure on the supplier to dispatch our order. Given the succession wars started over not paying suppliers, I reminded everyone that that’s not how we do business.

Yes not getting the product this month will hurt my business and my revenue. But my values are that I meet my obligations. And we never take an unfair advantage. To some this is a naive approach to business. For me it’s doing the right thing.

Plus I owe them $21,000 in November and that gives us some leverage.