What to do when a supplier fails to deliver

On Behalf of | Aug 30, 2023 | Business Law

Your supplier plays an integral part in your business as they ensure you have needed goods or services to operate. Therefore, if they fail to deliver within the agreed time, you may be inconvenienced.

Here is what to do if this happens:

Contact them

In most cases, your supplier will notify you of the delay or inability to deliver earlier. But if they don’t, you can reach out to them. They may be experiencing delays from the manufacturer or any other issue beyond their control. Or perhaps it was just an oversight on their part that they could quickly resolve.

Agree on a solution

You and the supplier can agree on a solution, including delivering on another chosen date or time. If they are unwilling to resolve the issue or don’t respond when you contact them, you may need to consider other steps.

Find another supplier

It can help to have a backup supplier to lessen the impact of disruptions, such as the primary one not delivering. It may be best to work with them to keep your business running in the meantime.

If you don’t have a backup supplier, research several companies online to find one that can meet your needs.

If your supplier is not responsive or continues to cause inconveniences, you might need to look at ending the contract and signing a new agreement with your backup or a new supplier.

Claim damages

A supplier not delivering can result in losses. You may be eligible to seek compensation depending on the circumstances surrounding your case and contract.

If your supplier fails to deliver, causing you damages, you should obtain more information about your options to protect your business.