Open Letter to Clients and Homeowners:
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) is raising global concern and the numbers of people infected by the virus is increasing. In precaution, people are stockpiling on hand sanitizer, soap, Lysol, and toilet paper. While I am not stockpiling my home with soap and toilet tissue; I am more concerned about the magnitude of the virus and what this means for communities, families, events, tourism, global economies, businesses, and other industries. As an Interior Designer, my industry colleagues and I, are starting to feel how the Coronavirus impacts the home industry. I will share what this means to homeowners, my clients, and how my business will proceed moving forward.
During this time, I have received several open letters, notifications, and emails regarding COVID-19, such as:
Design Trade shows being postponed or cancelled
Product Exhibitions being postponed or cancelled
Industry Conferences being postponed or cancelled
Vendors unable to ship or import goods into the USA
Cargo delays due to lack of drivers to move containers of goods/product.
Factories shutting down
Manufacturer delays
Product backorder notifications
and issues of the like….
What does this mean to homeowners?
Any imported furniture, fabric, wallpaper, materials, or goods that you are in the market to purchase for your home or have recently purchased may face significant delays.
Fortunately, our country relies on other countries for the production of many goods (not just home items) as manufacturing costs are lower. This means stores and designers can sell product at a price point that makes customer’s wallets happy.
Unfortunately, our country relies on other countries for the production of many goods. During this time, we will see exactly how much stuff is imported into America. Not just home-related goods but across all other industries as well.
Photo by chuttersnap on Unsplash
According to the HFN article, “The coronavirus outbreak is expected to have a longer and larger impact on imports at major U.S. retail container ports than previously believed as factory shutdowns and travel restrictions in China continue to affect production, according to the Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.”
In a recent HFN article, the NRF Vice President for supply chain and customs policy, Jonathan Gold stated, “There are still a lot of unknowns to fully determine the impact of the coronavirus on the supply chain, as factories in China continue to come back online, products are now flowing again. But there are still issues affecting cargo movement, including the availability of truck drivers to move cargo to Chinese ports.”
While China may be the largest manufacturer and exporter of goods, there are many great domestic home brands that produce beautiful and quality product. During this time, domestic brands will and should be leveraged.
What does this mean if i hired an Interior Designer?
As an Interior Designer, I have access and relationships built with thousands of vendors. For me, business is operating as usual. For all current and new clients, I am sourcing products that are made in the USA or that have plenty of stock located domestically.
With current projects, orders have already been placed, some of which come from overseas. Thankfully, those orders were placed prior to the COVID-19 outbreak that client orders have already been received and have not been delayed. I check the status of all my open orders weekly and report to my clients with those status updates regarding their merchandise.
Moving forward, operating my business will look slightly different. My design process will not change but sourcing product will. I will be focusing on brands that manufacture and ship from the USA to ensure that I can still deliver product and complete projects in a timely matter. Unless, there is a specific product that you are willing to wait for. In that case, we will wait together and some products are worth the wait. As your designer, I will relay all relevant information to you regarding your products and any orders that are placed through me.
With that being said, there is no guarantee that products will be received on time because they are manufactured and shipped domestically. Factories are still closing and taking precaution everywhere, so future orders are not exempt from delays. But at least, your product may not sit in a container overseas for months.
When quoting product, I always check stock and check again prior to placing the order. Reason being, stock changes frequently. An item that I have quoted on Monday, could all of a sudden be out of stock the next day, if quantities were low. New stock takes time to be manufactured, shipped, and be received. Products could be backordered for several weeks or months depending on the type of product. Worst case scenario, new stock may never be available if it is being discontinued. I always relay stock information to my clients when presenting quotes and before placing the order to confirm that it is still available.
If I am quoting a low-stock item, I reserve the desired quantity with the vendor, to “hold” the item as I wait for client approval. Of course, there is a time limit on holds. As demand increases and products are flying off the shelves, I foresee the privilege of holds/reserves changing or being eliminated completely.
MY PROMISE TO MY CLIENTS
If you have worked with me or are currently working with me, you know that honesty is one of my core values. Therefore, as your Designer and Project Manager, I will always keep communication open and honest. As soon as I receive new information, I will send it your way.
I will continue my weekly status reports regarding project updates and products that have been purchased. There will not be any new changes, although, you may hear from me more frequently as information gets released regarding the coronavirus outbreak. It is my promise to keep you informed.
Plus, the above mentioned that I will be sourcing products domestically, unless you are willing to wait for imported products.
As a client, you know I’m a hugger and a hand-shaker. While I love giving and receiving hugs, I understand that your safety and precaution is important. At the end of our meetings, feel free to opt-out… but just know, that if you do reach towards me for a handshake or hug that I will not deny it.
Photography by Mariah Texidor.
During times of fear, I believe it is important, now more than ever, to keep spreading love (while others may disagree to limit all contact). However, let’s save that debate for another time!
In the meantime, practice good hygiene. Wash your hands. Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands (obviously). Carry portable hand-wipes or sanitizer with you. If you have a compromised immune system, please stay home and avoid large crowds.
If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
Yours truly,
Amanda M. Amato CEO, Principal Designer of AMA Designs & Interiors
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