Taking Too Long?

Dealing with the Backorder Blues 

Need to Cancel?

"Out of Stock"

Not What You Want to Hear But It Happens

The number of families and individuals interested in canning, dehydrating and other food storage methods is growing.  More and more people are becoming aware of the advisability and, in some cases, the necessity of a good food storage program.

There is nothing wrong with that.  In fact, it is a good sign that many are taking a serious look at food storage as something more than a hobby and as more of an investment in future well being. The same can be said of emergency planning with all sorts of governments and organizations now promoting the use of 72 hour kits and emergency preparedness in general.

With this growing interest, there is growing difficulty, on the part of manufacturers, to keep up with what has become the rapidly growing demand for their products.  Unfortunately, this means it is now becoming increasingly common for key items to be on backorder, or listed as "out of stock".  Factories, which must plan their production runs months ahead, simply did not anticipate the very high demand that is now there for their emergency lanterns, food bars, canning kits, sauce makers, pressure canners and the like.*  They simply have not been able to keep up.

For firms such as Store-It Foods this is an inconvenience which, of course, is an inconvenience that must be shared with our customers.  Sadly, the delays which are resulting are delays which sometimes are of more than the usual few days' duration. Delays of a month or more, which once were extremely rare, are not yet the rule, but are now known to happen from time to time.

So how do you cope with this?  Well, there are a few options.

1. If you are able to do so, order early.  If you expect to be doing some canning in two or three months' time and know thay you are going to be needing a new canner, then order it early.  You are much more likely to receive prompt delivery before the high demand arises that can make availability a problem.  It is actually much more likely that there will not be any problems even if you order later, but being prepared is a good idea.
2. Simply be patient.  If you encounter an out of stock situation, Store-It Foods and other reputable firms are just as anxious as are you to effect delivery.  We will ship as soon as we possibly can.
3. Cancel or reselect.  At Store-It Foods we are sympathetic to the problems that a backordered item might cause. If, as a result, you find it necessary to cancel, you may do so without penalty.

If it is of any consolation, please be aware that if you are conftronted with an out of stock item, then you are not likely alone.  In all probability, you will find many others who have an intrest in those out of stock canners, dehydrators, or sauce makers* who are similarily waiting.

* Quoted as examples only.  These items are not necessarily out of stock at the present time.