James, E-commerce Entrepreneur, Brighton Area.

• Sector: E-commerce (Sports Equipment)

• Business Size: Solo entrepreneur

• Location: Brighton

• Experience: 3 years in business

• Impact: Late payments from international buyers have disrupted his cash flow, causing stock shortages during peak season. This has led to loss of customers and negative reviews online.

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“I sell sports equipment online, specialising in niche items like cricket bats and bespoke tennis rackets. It’s a competitive market, and I work hard to keep my stock levels high and delivery times quick. A while ago, I got a big order from a sports club overseas. It was worth nearly £8,000, which was a huge deal for me. But when it came time to pay, they delayed it for nearly two months.

The timing couldn’t have been worse. I’d just invested in a new line of products for the summer season. I rely on steady cash flow to keep stock coming in, and when that money didn’t arrive, I couldn’t pay my suppliers on time. This meant I ran out of key items during peak season.

To make matters worse, some customers left bad reviews because I couldn’t fulfil their orders quickly. One bad review can really hurt your reputation in e-commerce, especially as a small business. I had to offer discounts and freebies just to keep people happy, which cut into my already tight margins.

I’ve since started using payment platforms that release funds faster, but not all clients are willing to use them. It’s frustrating because I’m doing everything I can to provide great service, yet I’m the one left out of pocket. Late payments don’t just affect my business; they affect my credibility.”