Have You Seen the Weather Lately? Why Winter Weather Can Disrupt Your Merch Orders—and How to Avoid Costly Delays
- Florida Custom Merch
- 10 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Have you seen the weather lately?
Here in Florida, winter feels pretty mild. The temperatures dip a bit, mornings are cooler, but there are no blizzards, no closed schools, and no highways shut down by snow or ice. Life continues more or less as normal. But just because it’s calm here doesn’t mean the rest of the country is experiencing the same conditions.
Recently, a video circulated from up north—Michigan, to be exact—showing a massive 100-car pileup caused by snow and icy roads. In the middle of that scene, something stood out: a FedEx truck stuck on the side of the road.
That image tells an important story for anyone ordering merchandise, costumes, promotional products, or event materials during the winter months.
The Hidden Risk of Ordering from Up North in Winter
FedEx is reliable. UPS is reliable. Freight carriers are reliable. But here’s the reality: the weather decides whether your package arrives on time—not the carrier.
Snowstorms, ice, whiteout conditions, closed highways, and accidents can instantly derail even the best-planned shipping schedules. When a major storm hits, trucks don’t move, planes don’t take off, and distribution centers slow down or shut down entirely.
If your merchandise is being produced or shipped from a supplier located in the Midwest or Northeast during winter, your order is automatically exposed to risk—whether you realize it or not.
Online systems may still show:
“Guaranteed delivery by Friday.”
But the system doesn’t see the 100-car pileup. It doesn’t account for closed roads. And it doesn’t proactively call you when something goes wrong.
Why “Ordering Online” Isn’t Enough
Today, many businesses go online, search for a product, upload a logo, place an order, and receive an automated delivery date. It feels efficient. It feels modern. But it’s also hands-off—and that’s where problems begin.
Automated systems don’t:
Pick up the phone to check on stalled production
Flag a shipment stuck in a storm-prone region
Notice a missed proof approval email you never received
Push a supplier for answers when timelines get tight
Instead, what often happens is this: You think everything is moving along smoothly… until you receive an email saying your order is delayed—or worse, you never receive that email at all.
By the time you realize something is wrong, it may already be too late to fix.
The Difference an Expert Makes
This is where working with an experienced merchandise professional changes everything.
When you use someone who’s been in this business for many years—someone who has seen delays, reroutes, backorders, weather disruptions, and last-minute emergencies—you’re not just placing an order. You’re gaining active oversight.
An expert doesn’t just submit orders. They:
Call suppliers to confirm production status
Stay in touch throughout the process
Catch issues before they become problems
Adjust shipping methods when weather threatens timelines
Communicate directly with you—by phone, not just email
If something looks off, they don’t wait. They act.
And most importantly, they think about things you may never think to ask.
Winter Weather Isn’t Just a Shipping Issue
Inclement weather doesn’t only affect final delivery. It can disrupt:
Raw material availability
Factory staffing and operating hours
Freight pickup schedules
Transit routes and distribution hubs
A supplier may be technically “on schedule” while quietly falling behind due to weather-related constraints. Without someone monitoring the process closely, you wouldn’t know until the delay hits your doorstep.
That’s why experience matters—especially during winter.
Why Local Expertise Matters More Than Ever
Working with someone who understands logistics, geography, and seasonal risk allows you to make smarter decisions from the start. That might mean:
Choosing a supplier located in a safer shipping region
Adjusting production timelines proactively
Selecting alternative products that can be produced faster
Shipping earlier than originally planned
Using backup options if weather worsens
These are not things most customers think about—and they shouldn’t have to. That’s the job of the expert.
It’s Not Just About Getting It There—It’s About Making Your Event Better
Beyond logistics, working with a seasoned professional also opens doors you may not even know exist.
There are products you haven’t seen. Ideas you haven’t considered. Details that can elevate your event from “good” to unforgettable.
An experienced merch professional doesn’t just fulfill orders—they enhance outcomes. They help you choose items that fit your audience, your timing, your budget, and your goals, all while navigating the real-world challenges that winter brings.
The Bottom Line
When winter storms shut down highways up north, the question isn’t: “Did FedEx do their job?”
The real question is: Was anyone actively watching your order?
Was anyone calling suppliers? Was anyone thinking ahead? Was anyone prepared for things to go wrong?
Because they do.
If you want peace of mind—especially during winter—don’t rely solely on automated systems and optimistic delivery estimates. Use someone who understands the process inside and out.
Use someone who thinks of things you won’t think about. Use someone who protects your timeline. Use someone who treats your order like it matters.
Let’s Talk
For all your custom merchandise and costume needs, give us a call at 386-400-2666.
We’re here to make sure your order doesn’t just get placed—but gets delivered, on time, and done right.
Because the weather may be unpredictable—but your results don’t have to be.
With so many options available, choosing the right branded promotional item can be overwhelming. Since 2016, we, at Florida Custom Merch, have helped numerous businesses achieve success through the use of custom branded promotional merchandise. Hiring an expert can help you select the perfect item, save time and money, and, most importantly, maximize your results.
Thank you for reading! We hope you found this article helpful!
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