The shortage we caught before delivery — and why the Master never had to write that email
One consignment, one missing case of eggs, one 06:15 phone call. The kind of small catch that decides whether a chandler is trusted.
A short story from last month, because it is the kind of thing that never quite makes it into a case study — but it is exactly why clients stay.
The requisition
Routine fresh provisions for a container vessel alongside. 82 lines. Delivery scheduled 08:30. Included in the order: four cases of eggs, 30-count.
The catch, 06:15
During the warehouse packing check, our coordinator noticed that only three of the four cases were present. The fourth case had been logged in yesterday but not physically received — a vendor short-shipment discovered at packing.
What we did
Called our backup vendor at 06:20. Case sourced and en route by 06:45. Delivered to warehouse 07:20. Loaded on the van at 07:35. Delivery on the gangway at 08:31 — a minute past the scheduled time, complete.
The Master was told, on the delivery note, that one case had been substituted from a backup vendor. No shortage. No complaint email.
What did not happen
The vessel did not receive a short consignment. The Master did not open a case and count to three instead of four at the Chief Cook's request. Our coordinator did not have to write a "we are sorry" note.
Why we are boring about this
Because the difference between a chandler you use once and a chandler you stay with for years is exactly this: the small catches that never generate a story on their own. They generate the absence of a story — which is what "reliable" actually means.
Message us and ask for a reference vessel we currently supply. We will connect you.