My name is Valvert R. Thompson, and I’ve been the VP-Sales for East General Promotional and Packaging Mfg. (China) for nearly 3 years. I just wanted to comment that over the last year or so our factory has witnessed an increasing number of: 1) customer asking for low MOQs, and 2) more end-users, such as churches, public schools, etc. placing inquiries. In fact, the total of such inquiries has been so staggering that our factory is now starting to formulate means to service these customers. So, when I read comments like “someone should tell the “END USER…,” I think they know and are starting to procure their promotional products direct, which is by no means a new concept for suppliers/distributors; but when the pastor’s assistant e-mails our factory asking for 500 promotional LED Keychains that’s really cool. In any event, I think this price hike WILL create a huge industry shake-up to the extent where those loyal accounts become less loyal by not only checking to see what the local competition has to offer, but also by sheer “Google Magic” run across Chinese providers with American “traders” (pun-intended) behind the wheels offering not only that “trust us, I’m an American pizzazz,” but also the right price and services for First Baptist Church of Houston to seriously considering going direct. So, yes our prices have increase about 7 – 10%, but business has never been better- go figure!

Thanks, and I do plan on back-reading some of your previous entries- looks like good stuff!

Valvert R. Thompson