Expert: Josh - 1/14/2009

Question
Don cuts metal to size. he receives an order from an overseas company for 400 pieces thin metal pipe, each to be cut to a length of 6,76 x 10^-3 metres. they are to be sent urgently by airfreight. Don doesn't take any notice of the 10^-3 part of the order. Instead, he cuts 400 pieces of metal, each 6,76 metres long. He packages them and sends them off at a considerable cost by airfreight.
1. Summary of what happened in this situation
2. Main causes of the problem, who was responsible and the possible consequences
3. Possible action to correct the situation, and provide possible action to prevent such situation happening in the future


Answer
Hello Tumisang

I noticed the use of comma instead of dot for the decimal point, this convention suggests to me that you probably live in Europe.

1. Assuming the thickness of the metal pipe is fixed, the material that Don has prepared is a thousand times longer than what was requested.

2. The scientific notation 10^-3 is equivalent to a multiplier of 0.001 (a fraction of 1/1000). It is not Don's fault for not understanding the SI unit (note: 10^-3 meter is equivalent to one millimeter mm). However, Don should take some responsibility for ignoring the full description in the order and not asking anyone for clarification when he had doubt about the meaning of "10^-3". Consequence: The weight of the material is a 1000 times heavier, this will incur in greater freight cost which he may not be able to recover.

3. Possible action depends on the level of cooperation from the customer. The goods may have to be returned and the pipes be cut up again in the manner requested by the original order. This will almost double the cost. If the customer shows some good will, perhaps Don can enlist the help of a local craftsman to rectify the problem (i.e., cut the pipes down to the correct length) at the country of destination to spare the cost of return shipment. The customer may even pay for the excess at a discounted price.

Lesson to be learned: Read the order carefully and ask for clarification. Making a phone call to ask for advice is cheap and will save potential embarrassment. Buy a chart that translates international units of measure into something which Don can relate to (e.g., from meter to yard).