I thought it fitting to give an update as we start off the month of April as there have been a lot of things happening since my last post on 3/20. As I mentioned previously, going forward I want to make more frequent blog posts as well as be more active in social media. This is something I plan to continue even when the current pandemic has passed. For this update, I want to let folks know how things are progressing as far as production goes considering the escalating crisis that we’re faced with and the deep implications it has when considering the damage to the economy for the foreseeable future.
I should be careful not to seem callous to the effects of the Covid-19 virus when considering the impact it’s had in terms of both physical and mental health for people all over this planet. Especially in this country, and in my state of California, however, the number of unemployment claims are something that is also staggering to read about. I’m very worried about businesses in my city especially such as coffee shops, restaurants, and the like, which I frequent often and have had to go with virtually no revenue since the “shelter in place” guidelines were put in place. Surely this is something that is happening all over the country, and no doubt impacting a lot of you that were considering a custom brush in the very near future.
Even though production for brushes has not been impacted very much, my workflow has been dramatically slowed down due to the adjustments I’ve had to make on a personal level and for life in general. Seeing people wear masks to simply go grocery shopping and having to wait in line outside of a supermarket that I used to just stroll into has been pretty striking. Like everyone else, I’ve had to make adjustments to my personal routine, as my commitments outside of work have been much more time-consuming, especially considering family needs and basic necessities that were not much less than a month ago not an issue at all.
Also, to coincide with everything that is going on, I’m still experiencing some feedback regarding the delivery time frames of brushes which has made me take a hard look at how I provide estimates. While I’m not prepared to make another drastic change as I did at the end of January, I will be making some slight adjustments to help things go smoother going forward.
Current Status
Second Run - Some brushes on the second run are at 99% completion, some are at about 65%. On a few of the brushes there were some challenges, and they were re-started, and hence the delay for some. However, I am planning on shipping most of the brushes for the Second Run very very soon. I do apologize to those waiting, but I do appreciate your patience.
Third Run - The Third Run has been started and is in the early stages of production. I will get in touch with folks and provide updates as soon as the Second Run is shipped.
Fourth Run - I will be setting up purchase pages for each order and start sending them out via email tonight and tomorrow morning.
Fifth Run and beyond - for any order requests that came in after March 20, I will not be taking payment until I am able to start construction of brushes, which will be when the Fourth Run is about halfway completed. I’ll provide an update to when that will be later on.
Time Estimates
As mentioned, I’ll be making some slight adjustments to the way I give time estimates. Despite outlining what my policy is in the Order Form Notes, in my Shipping guidelines, as well as letting folks know via email directly, there is still an issue of differences in expectations from my perspective and those who purchase. It has been a bit of a challenge trying to figure out if this is due to the current pandemic we are facing, or if my efforts to give expectations are falling short. More than likely it’s a bit of both. While most understand that my priority is to the quality of the brush, and not meeting a time deadline with regards to shipment, I’m still not reaching some folks who place orders.
This is by no means a criticism on those who raise complaints, far from it, it just means I have to make additional adjustments. Going forward, I will not be giving detailed time estimates. Time estimates will be given in very broad time frames, while keeping the completion of a brush within a reasonable amount of time. However, rather than focus on giving a specific shipping expectation, I will continue to focus on giving periodic updates to individual purchasers with photos of the progress, and remain in constant communication so that folks know I’m working diligently to craft their brushes. From feedback that I’ve received, it seems that patrons are not so much worried about how long a brush takes to make, but that they expect any time frame given to be strictly adhered to. That’s entirely understandable and is something I can actually endorse, despite this being contradictory to my current practice. Henceforth, however, I’ll have to do things a bit differently.
I hope this will all but eliminate the frustration that is still happening and really regret that I’ve not been able to do so thus far. I do have to mention, to be fair to myself, that I do listen to feedback, and anyone who had followed my progress as far as communication goes has to admit that I’ve made vast improvements. I hope that the fact that I’m at least headed in the right direction in terms of the customer experience that I’m providing warrants some credit.
—————————-
I’ll have some photos of the Second Run very soon for everyone, there are some nice examples which will be showcased. Looking forward, despite the worsening news reports I’m feeling optimistic and excited at what I have planned ahead. I think what we’re going through will have a profound impact on the way we go forward, but some changes I’m seeing are actually in my opinion for the better. There is a lot of worry, anxiety, and uncertainty in the hearts and minds of people right now, no doubt. However, we are seeing the best side of humanity at this moment in time and that is reassuring to me, and I hope to many of you as well.
I will keep you guys posted!
-Aldo
