Hello,

I hope this is the right place to post this question. Sorry if I'm in the wrong area.

I am a partner in a tiny clothing company. How tiny? Well, me and my wife's 1 bedroom apartment is full of our samples, her sewing machine, and boxes of orders since we can't even afford an office.

Anyway, our overseas supplier has shipped us our sales samples for next season, but they've been stuck in customs for over a month now with no explanations or any estimate as to when they will clear! I don't know what they are waiting for, they could've inspected each individual thread with an electron microscope by now!

We've called, complained, pursued every avenue, and gotten stonewalled at every corner. This is a serious situation as our margins are so thin that having these samples not reach the showroom is costing us about half of our marginal income each week that goes by.

Can anyone offer any suggestions as to what we should try next? How do we get these G-man desk jockeys to take us seriously? They're causing demonstrable harm to our business for no good reason, and we're going to be forced to close if this keeps up. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to get our shipments moving again so we can keep our business afloat?

Thanks!

sponger42 have you tried to contact an Ombudsman at one of field operations offices? Here is the link to customs site. Sorry I can't be of more help. This board deals with employee benefit plans not business operations.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/cmcs/

Yes, I've started into that inquiry process, but nothing seems to be moving. I'm sorry for coming to the wrong place, but I was just trying to go everywhere for advice before heading to a lawyer.

Thanks so much for trying! When we get some employees--besides ourselves, I'll be back! Thanks again!