Ordered a name tag for my assistant as a gift. Was...

Ordered a name tag for my assistant as a gift. Was promised 3-5 days turn around. Ordered it 15 days in advance so I thought there would be no problems. I heard nothing back from Mr Richard Scagg for days on end. He said he would chase their suppliers - he did not. Then I get a one line email from him today - "I apologise this has been delayed and won't be with you until Wednesday" - this is the day after my assistant leaves FOR GOOD! I now need to rush a different - less customised - present for her because Bates has "supplier difficulties".

I do not believe this for a second - I read "I forgot to place your order and did not chase up my suppliers in time. Now I am covering my own arse at your expense."

At our school we order from Bates all the time and they regularly mess up orders. At present, we have stock sitting with us that they delivered by we did not order; it has been here for 3 months! They mess up orders, billing is incorrect and their service is patchy at best!