marylandmatch.com their message unanswered for 87d

Maryland Match (Jeff Ponton) came back on the custom matchbook after ownership/factory review: the factory can only produce 1 row of 7 stems — the requested 2 rows of 7 (14 stems) at 68x50mm is not feasible. Jeff offered to quote pricing if we still want to proceed. On samples, there is no stock (custom production), a sample must be produced at a cost, and no physical sample with match stems can be shipped due to customs regulations — the factory would only send a photo for review. Sample cost depends on the art file, so Jeff asked twice (7/14 and 7/16) for an art file of the cover and stems to forward to the factory. Andrew asked whether plain white samples could be made; that was effectively answered by the art-file requirement. No pricing, lead times, or MOQ confirmation has been received yet, and the ball is with us on artwork and on deciding whether the 7-stem single-row layout works.

• Custom Matchbook: Factory confirmed feasibility of only 1 row of 7 stems; 2 rows / 14 stems cannot be produced (7/14)
• Custom Matchbook: Jeff offered a pricing quote if we want to proceed with the revised 7-stem configuration — no prices or lead times given yet
• Custom Matchbook: No stock samples exist; a sample must be custom-produced at a cost, and no physical sample with match stems can be shipped due to customs rules — review would be by photo only
• Custom Matchbook: Andrew asked if white (unprinted) samples could be produced; Jeff responded that sample cost is based on the art file and requested an art file of cover and stems (7/16)
• MDM Branding promo products: Jeff again pushed his request to be added to our bid list for imprinted promotional items (signature announcement) — still no response from us

• Spec conflict: the requested 14-stem, 2-row matchbook cannot be manufactured — the design may need to be reworked to 7 stems, which could fail the end client's intent
• No physical sample with match stems can be shipped (customs restriction) — approval would rest on a photo only, raising the risk of quality surprises at production
• Sample costing and all pricing are blocked on our artwork, which is still in development — schedule slipping since the 7/6 initial inquiry
• Still no pricing, lead time or firm MOQ from Maryland Match after two weeks of back-and-forth
• Repeated unanswered bid-list request from Jeff could sour the relationship on a supplier we're courting for long-term business

• we owe Send Jeff the art file for the matchbook cover and stems so the factory can price a sample (asked 7/14 and again 7/16)
• we owe Confirm whether the 1-row 7-stem layout is acceptable and whether to request a formal pricing quote
• we owe Response to Jeff's standing request to add MDM Branding to our promotional-products bid list

Opened a new supplier relationship with Maryland Match (MDM Branding) on a custom matchbook program. After a phone call, Andrew emailed Jeff Ponton on 7/6 with the target spec: 68mm x 50mm matchbook, 2 rows of 7 stems (14 total), with a drawing attached, and asked for feasibility, lead times, and costing. Noted from the call: development feasibility is volume-driven, multiple matchstick lengths/customization options exist, and MOQs start around 2,500 units. Jeff replied 7/7 that he escalated the proposal to ownership, who are reviewing it with their factory, and promised to come back with their decision later in the week. Artwork on our side is still in development. No pricing, lead time, or sample commitment yet.

• [Custom Matchbook] Andrew sent formal spec on 7/6: 68mm x 50mm matchbook, 2 rows of 7 stems (14 stems total), plus a reference drawing.
• [Custom Matchbook] Confirmed call takeaways: development feasibility depends on volume, multiple matchstick lengths/customization options available, MOQ starts around 2,500 units.
• [Custom Matchbook] Requested feasibility of production, lead times, and costs from Maryland Match.
• [Custom Matchbook] Jeff Ponton forwarded the proposal to ownership on 7/7; ownership is discussing it with their factory and will respond with a decision later this week.
• [Custom Matchbook] Our artwork is still in development and has not been sent.
• Jeff flagged that MDM Branding is expanding into general imprinted promotional products and asked to be added to our bid list.

• Project is gated on a go/no-go decision from Maryland Match ownership and their factory — they could decline the custom development entirely.
• No pricing, lead time, or sample timeline established yet; program is at the earliest feasibility stage.
• Artwork is still in development on our side, which could delay quoting once the factory responds.
• MOQ around 2,500 units and volume-based development feasibility may not match our target order size.

• they owe Ownership/factory decision on the custom matchbook, plus feasibility, lead times and costs — promised by end of the week of 7/6.
• we owe Sending finished artwork and replying to Jeff's request to be added to our promotional-products bid list.