Global Polymer Solutions are shit

Dear micro-brewer,

You've got to that point where you are considering buying casks from Global Polymer Solutions (GPS) and you're checking the internet to see if they're any good. I like the product, the casks are sturdy, lightweight, good value, but their customer service, delivery times and attitude towards delivery times is absolutely shit. After the latest fiasco which has left me with beer sitting in fermenters I will do anything to avoid having to deal with them again even if that means I've got to ditch the casks.

Last year, while I was working at Adur Brewery, we ordered 20 firkins from GPS. As requested we paid upfront for them and then waited, and waited, and waited for them to arrive. Delivery dates came and went, promises were made then broken on repeated occasions. They finally arrived over 6 weeks later than originally promised.

In the summer I contacted Greg Whitehorne (the MD of GPS) asking for a shive tool which is essential to being able to use the casks. Without it you cannot accurately tighten the screw in shives to the right tightness to prevent the beer leaking. Even though Greg assured me they'd sorted out their logistics issues he managed to send the tool to the wrong address. It took more than 3 weeks to arrive.

Just over a week ago I ordered shives from GPS. I was told, yet again, that their logistics were sorted. I was told that the shives I'd ordered had been dispatched the day I ordered. A week after they were supposed to be with me they still hadn't arrived so I phoned Greg to find out where they were. He refused to answer my calls and instead got someone else to call me back. Apparently there had been a slight error at their end and they'll be dispatched on Monday. I'm fucking livid. I was promised they'd be with me last Monday not dispatched this coming Monday.

I received a text earlier to tell me that some had been dropped into the post and would be with me in the next few days. If I'm honest I'm not holding my breath as their record so far is 3 orders, 3 late deliveries, about 25 promised delivery dates missed. I'm looking at other options because I would rather deal with a reliable supplier that keeps it's promises and doesn't damage my brewery's reputation.