Does anyone else have a Black List? Those people you won't do business with? My list includes categories: Too slow, Too Expensive, Frauds, Gross Over Packaging. This supplier definitely falls into the Gross Over Packaging category. Mouser Electronics is a US company with a UK division. This was my first order from them and their prices were good, their website straightforward and the products had tons of data and 3D drawings. All good signs until I received this box of plastic for 17 small components. It also makes no sense to me - it's bad for the environment, the zip lock bags were taped shut so couldn't be reused and took time to cut them all open, they don't provide any protection other than moisture and it would have cost them a ton of time to bag them all at their end. If I had a commercial premises, it would also have added to commercial waste costs. Why not use paper bags, or moisture coated paper bags and seal them with the label that's being stuck on anyway?

I came across this video on Instagram. If, like me, you thought China was cheap because of low cost labour, have a watch of this: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTy0QlkCq2o/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== (If you're in the fashion industry, check out his video on Shein products too). Another video shows how even the Chinese don't like Temu products. They call them scavenger products, made from low quality parts that don't meet the quality requirements of the reliable manufacturers.

This week I came across this little desktop labeller, ideal for small ecommerce businesses wanting to add security to their packages: https://youtube.com/shorts/2-G1feqnpb4?si=9TWDy9SxfQjXqbRQ On their website (https://workcellbuddy.com/product/labeling-machine-standard/) it's $529.

Keychain is a private/label directory currently available in the US. It has now launched in the UK, enabling retailers to copy brand name products and get them manufactured as their own products: https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/news/tesco-backed-own-label-manufacturing-platform-keychain-launches-in-uk/711982.article?adredir=1 (requires free registration to read) Keychain website: https://www.keychain.com/

The sales people at the YH Stone Paper factory sent me some videos and photographs this week of their factory in China. This one is their gift wrap production. Credit: https://www.yh-stonepaper.com/