The spare cable keeps joining a shipment we haven't ordered

They've answered the list. Kit packing hasn't started because the extra cable isn't in stock. The smaller spare items are available. That's the first reply that actually explains why there's no parcel.

Would the small bits be any use on their own? I wouldn't pay for two shipments without a reason, but you might not need the whole kit held for one missing cable.

The small bits would be useful spares, yes. I've asked for them separately and for the cable to remain outstanding. Not agreeing extra freight yet; the kit was already part of our order.

Our stores once booked a partial kit as one kit received because that was the only line on the receipt. It took a physical count to reopen the shortage. Can your receiving team book the actual contents separately?

Kai, did the delivery list call it complete too?

No. The list showed the pieces. Our local receipt screen had one kit line, and we entered one against it. The shortcut was ours.

That's worth fixing before the next order. A note buried under a received total won't help the colleague who only sees the stock screen.

Seller agreed separate supply without an added freight charge. They sent a packing list for the available items and explicitly left the extra cable open. Receiving can book those pieces individually, Kai. Parcel reference supplied but I haven't seen collection yet.

Good, a parcel you can follow at last.

Any answer on when the cable itself exists?

They now say one is in their stores and have sent its package label for our maintainer to compare. Small-parts parcel has a carrier collection scan. Two separate things to chase, but at least they're named.

Ask for the cable's agreed supply reference on its own packing list as well. Your maintainer's comparison should not disappear when sales prepares the parcel.

Did the first parcel reach you?

Mei, I'm also curious whether separate supply lasted once they got to posting the cable. That's where my last small-order conversation went round again.

Both arrived. Small-parts count matches the split list; maintainer checked the extra cable identity against the agreed reference and stores booked it as a spare. Seller posted it separately as agreed. Sam, the first parcel was already here before the cable was dispatched; Luis, no new-order condition came back.

And thanks, Kai, for the partial-kit warning. Receiving kept the cable shortage visible instead of marking the whole kit received with the first parcel.

That was a lot of email for a spare. Glad you didn't have to buy its travelling companion.