Hello ,

Greetings from Spain.

My wife just flew in from China, so we are actually trying to have a little holiday.
But it's ridiculously busy, here, in the UK and in China (ok everywhere) so our phones are in a constant state of buzz.

Last week I was in the UK, you can read about my update here.
Next week we will be off to Slovakia.
Regular readers will know about the Slovakian adventure, we have been forced (by Brexit) to start a distribution warehouse in central Europe. Almost half our sales are into the EU, so we are very worried that any friction to trade will cause a big drop in sales. The answer is to be trading from within the EU. We picked Slovakia, close to Bratislava because it is located in the middle of lots of different markets, and because it's Tomas's (main man in our marketing dept) home town - so lots of connections.
The EU business is ready for action.. only problem, is the usual problem.. delays in stock delivery. There are two containers from China and one from Indonesia.. all delayed. Right now the first China one is been searched for drugs and checked to make sure we are not doing some dodgy under invoicing. Or more dodgy over invoicing.

OK I'll explain some import frauds for you, not that you will want to do this.

Under invoicing. This is where you change the value of the container, say you put €20,000 on the shipping invoice when really you have sent €100,000 - the duty is calculated on the lower amount to say the duty on your products was 5% - you have just made a dodgy €4000.
Over invoicing is going to work better if your stuff is low or zero duty... here your supplier is going to claim excess export tax back from the China government - and typically for your help in this fraud give you a percentage kickback. There are stories of ballpoint pens been invoiced at $10,000 each. Vast sums of money have been made by Chinese gangs like this. Often goods get effectively subsided by the dodgy money and sold below cost dumped on the market. Last year some big players ended up in jail.
Another method is the "missing trader fraud" - here you simply start a new company - import a container to one country and sell it to the new company in a second EU state. No VAT is chargeable across EU boarders. So the first company pays the vat on delivery into the EU - later claims it back on a vat return. The second company sells the container plus vat.. pocketing the extra 20% - and promptly goes missing, ceases trading - before the vat is due. You can easily make £20,000 on a container like this. Especially since you can sell fast stock at cost or a bit below to get a quick turnaround.

So now you know some seriously dodgy tricks :)
I can honestly say that AW we have never engaged in anything like this - ever, and never will.. although I know of traders who have.
But even though we are pure, innocent and white - they still stop our containers for regular checks.. and you have to pay for the privilege - this China container is costing €300 and for sure they will mess up some stock and break stuff.
Anyway, that's life.
So we are just waiting for a bit more stock.. but you can visit the English language version of our EU distribution warehouse here: AWGifts.eu we also have a Slovak site, and eventually there will be Czech, Polish, German, Hungarian and others.
It's called AWGifts - so as not to confuse our customers too much. It's AW products but in Europe.. and delivery charges of course are much better if that's where you are.

Forward us to your EU friends :)
I'm going there soon.

Meanwhile, as I'm writing this another much delayed container just arrived in the UK..
Yes.. it's true - some salt lamps came, I think there are some new designs on it - which may take some time to be online for sale, but key products are back in stock as of now.
We are sadly a long way behind with orders, despite extra shifts, agency staff and overtime. I really apologise, last week I was there trying to find ways to speed things up.
The problem is we just have too many fast running lines right now. A friend of mine suggested putting prices up to slow demand (and profiteer) - I thought about it a bit, then decided that, that is just kinda dodgy, we have a relationship with our customers that we hope is long term, ripping them off short term is not good. But the downside is your order might be a little delayed. Please bare with us.

So it's here.. the granddaddy of Bank Holiday weekends.. August Bank Holiday.. Hope you are both busy and find time to relax with your family's and friends.

Take care, thank you so much for your trade..

David

NEW DESIGNS Himalayan Salt Lamps each salt lamp comes complete with light fitting, bulb & plug. Rather than sell them by size we sell them by approximate weight. Items are marked with sizes to give a rough idea of size only, each lamp is completely unique.

Please bear in mind our artisans in Pakistan made every effort to match the weights of the salt lamps we have requested however due to the products nature they are still approximate.

Himalayan crystal salt is pristine and natural. It consists of the perfect geometric structure possible in rock crystals, the result of millions of years of compression under the Earthís surface. It forms a precise mesh with our body's inner workings because Himalayan crystal salt contains an almost identical set of elements to those found inside the human body: that is, it contains 84 of the possible 92 trace minerals, and in the same proportions as naturally exists in our blood.

Himalayan crystal salt can be dissolved in a hot bath for a healthy soak, or blended with essential oils for a rich body scrub.

Kraft Window bags give that natural feel, and with a bit of imagination and entrepreneurial flare, you can create a product unique to your shops, enabling (dare we say), Krafty profit margins.

They have a grip closure which can be opened and closed many times. The self-supporting round bottom gusset ensures that the bags can stand freely on retail shelving or next to your till. Kraft bags are sold in a pack of 50 bags in six different sizes, with the central window ensuring your products are clearly on display and making it easy to customise your product by adding your own branded labels. They are also great for packaging Himalayan Bath Salts, AWGsoaps, Unwind Potions, Chill Pills and many more gift lines.

Glass Candy Jars, perfect if you are creating your own products and sell very well just as they are. Kilner jars are good for customers creating their own homemade jams, sauces, honey...

You could fill them with AW products and sell as a readily made gift.. Also sold by carton for really keen prices..Care instructions: hand wash only. Not suitable for microwave or dishwasher use. Stock today to get in on this vintage trend.

Wholesale bath towels are an essential part of any business selling bathroom related items as well as for all Spas, B&B's, Guest Houses and Hotels. Take a look at our Indian cotton bath towels for a luxurious feel all made from 100% Indian Cotton for added lavish thickness.
All our face towels, hand towels, and bath towels are machine washable saving you and your customers time doing the laundry

Wholesale Bath Bombs are just the thing for anyone looking for a high-quality bath bomb addition that looks and smells great and now we have an amazing new packaging giving to it a nice new fresh look. Now sold in New Improved Packaging where dividers help to secure bath bombs whilst delivering.

They are also a great value. Each bomb weighs in at a massive 180+ grams and contains Shea Butter to make it smoother on your skin.We have a range of fantastic fragrances to choose from, each in their own distinctive colours.

Special Offer 50% OFF on bamboo mountain candles due to various cracks, (when bamboo over dry it often split).

This range of wholesale Bamboo Mountain Candles is a lovely looking decor piece that would suit both an indoor and outdoor environment. Just the perfect decoration for any home, office or spa. These stylish bamboo candles are very elegant and available in various colours (Brown, Red and Natural).
Great gift idea or decoration and cool for event organizers.

These mermaid cushion covers are embellished with shiny sequins which change colour as you brush your hand along the surface, this brings some interactivity and fun to a sofa and is incredibly satisfying to play with!

They come in lots of different colour combinations to suit any customers home or personality. Every order comes with 4 covers. We also supply the cushion inners. Nobody will be able to resist playing with the colours and trying to draw pictures or write their names, we definitely couldn't! (Especially with the Violet & silver cushion, one of our favourites...)