Lead time fluctuations - We work hard to honor quoted lead times
At Clay Imports, we always strive to meet the lead times quoted to our customers. However, there may be circumstances beyond our control, such as supply chain issues or challenges in handmade production, that can cause fluctuations in these lead times.
It's important to note that lead times are estimates and are subject to change. When you place an order with us, our skilled artisans begin the process of handcrafting your tiles with care. However, please understand that an order in production does not necessarily mean that it is currently being manufactured. It could be in the queue for production, awaiting its turn. While we make every effort to keep track of the original estimated time of arrival (ETA), there may be delays due to various reasons.
- For instance, if our artisan's clay provider is temporarily out of material, we are unable to commence your order until more clay becomes available. Unfortunately, factors like this are entirely out of our control.
- Additionally, despite using the same glaze formula consistently, there are instances where the glaze color may unexpectedly vary due to the complex interaction between gas, oxygen, and glaze ingredients. In such cases, we must develop a new glaze formula to achieve the desired color, resulting in extended lead times.
- Furthermore, clay tiles require thorough drying before they can be fired in the kiln to prevent breakages and explosions. This drying process can be particularly time-consuming, especially during rainy seasons. Even when the tiles appear dry, they may still retain some residual moisture, which can lead to breakages. As a result, our artisans may need to reproduce a significant portion of orders.
- The health of our artisans is of utmost importance to us. Unfortunately, there may be occasions when a tile artisan falls ill, which could also cause delays in lead times.