Small businesses in St. Cloud are feeling the effects of the supply chain shortage. Owner of Z and Q Boutique, Stephanie Milfeld, says she ordered her products months in advance and still has yet to see some items arrive. “It’s just a guess. We’re still missing Christmas ornaments that we had ordered to come in,” Milfeld said.She said she was warned to place her orders ahead of usual to get items in by the holidays.She did so in June and July. Roughly five months later and some items still haven’t arrived. “You can call them and ask them and email them what the tracking is, but they don’t know where it’s at or when it’s going to get here either,” Milfeld said.Across the street, the owner of Blissology, Cynthia Heatherdale, says she’s also had problems with ordering items.After selecting and paying for products that are listed as in stock, she’s ended up receiving refunds.For the items that do get sent her way, she’s being charged container fees. “They said that they’re being charged container fees, so now I’m being charged a portion of it. The way she explained it to me was that it used to cost them X amount of dollars to get a container and now it’s three times that amount,” Heatherdale said.One thing she’s surprised she’s having trouble keeping her hands on is shopping bags. “My orders in, they have my money for the product, but I don’t have the product,” Heatherdale said.Both business owners have had better luck with local vendors, but they too have to order their supplies. “We just do the best that we can, and we hope that we’re able to deliver for our local community as best we can,” Milfeld said.
Small businesses in St. Cloud are feeling the effects of the supply chain shortage.
Owner of Z and Q Boutique, Stephanie Milfeld, says she ordered her products months in advance and still has yet to see some items arrive.
“It’s just a guess. We’re still missing Christmas ornaments that we had ordered to come in,” Milfeld said.
She said she was warned to place her orders ahead of usual to get items in by the holidays.
She did so in June and July. Roughly five months later and some items still haven’t arrived.
“You can call them and ask them and email them what the tracking is, but they don’t know where it’s at or when it’s going to get here either,” Milfeld said.
Across the street, the owner of Blissology, Cynthia Heatherdale, says she’s also had problems with ordering items.
After selecting and paying for products that are listed as in stock, she’s ended up receiving refunds.
For the items that do get sent her way, she’s being charged container fees.
“They said that they’re being charged container fees, so now I’m being charged a portion of it. The way she explained it to me was that it used to cost them X amount of dollars to get a container and now it’s three times that amount,” Heatherdale said.
One thing she’s surprised she’s having trouble keeping her hands on is shopping bags.
“My orders in, they have my money for the product, but I don’t have the product,” Heatherdale said.
Both business owners have had better luck with local vendors, but they too have to order their supplies.
“We just do the best that we can, and we hope that we’re able to deliver for our local community as best we can,” Milfeld said.
