Customers Questions and Answers

Q. Why are your Trugs cheaper than other Sussex Trugs?: A. Other makers supply shops and garden centres, but despite receiving hundreds of requests, I refuse to. The trade typically expects a discount of around 50%. If I agreed to this, I would have to double my retail prices, meaning the public would end up paying inflated and unaffordable prices (£100+) which would mean less sales. I prefer working on a low-profit, high-turnover basis as I love my job. In fact, my prices have increased by only £3 over the past two years — against the advice of my accountant!
Q. How long is the delivery time?: A. As I maintain stock of all Trugs, any orders made online by 9 a.m. or phone by midday, are sent same day for next day delivery.
Q. Can I visit your workshop to view and choose what I like?: A. We welcome that. For directions that include a map and Images to our door, Click the link for 'Contact Me' and select 'Map Directions' . But PLEASE ring first to avoid me having popped out when you arrive. We are available weekends as well as weekdays to meet you at our workshop.
Q. Can I send one to a different address than my own?: A. Of course. After ordering, click on the link for 'Different Address', fill out the information and 'Submit'. We get it instantly. Do not leave it for too long as it may already be parcelled and collected by the courier.
Q. Do I need to treat my Trug in any way?: A. In brief, no, but for more information, click the link 'About my Trugs' and select 'Your Trug Care'. There is a leaflet within the box of every trug for trug care information.
Q. Do you take on apprentices?: A. No — I’ve tried in the past, but I can’t find anyone with a genuine passion for learning a dying craft rather than for texting. That may sound a little harsh, but realistically, who would be truly committed while earning apprenticeship wages that are lower than working on a Tesco checkout? Even then, what they produce would almost certainly fall short of my own standards after 55 years of making. I simply can’t send out inferior trugs, so I end up with a pile of sub-standard ones that can’t be sold.
Q. Are your trugs guaranteed?: A. Yes, a lifetime guarantee in normal use (this doesn't apply if you've backed over it with a 4x4!).
Q. What are your trugs made of?: A. A. In 1970 I could not acquire any willow, so rather than cease making, I experimented with other materials, one of which was Birch. It proved so successful that I have continued with Birch for 55 years. It is stronger, rot-proof, unliked by woodworm that normally infests willow, so I can offer a lifetime guarantee (in normal use, this doesn't apply if you reverse over it with a 4x4!). They are still crafted in the traditional way of steaming and bending and are vastly superior to the foreign imports sold in many garden centres, made with poor material and assembled with staples (not copper tacks).
Q. Do you send to other countries?: A. Not at present. We have in the past, but the added taxes now payable by the customer due to Brexit, plus extortionate shipping fees that must include insurance, tracking, signed for etc. we don't feel the total cost is fair. In addition, should the parcel be lost or damaged, we have to re-fund in full, not fair or worthwhile to us.
Q. How long does it take to make a trug?: A. If I were to make 'one' trug, several hours, but I no longer make 'one' trug. I make 20-30 handles, rims, boards and feet, then assemble them. In a good week I can make 30-40, but 'good' weeks rarely happen. The bulk of my work is done between 6:00 a.m. and 10:30 when my wife arrives for my feeding time. From thereon I am under her complete control and needs, so production can dwindle (you know what I mean guys).
Q. How can I clean my Trug: A. A question asked by so many! Just hose it down to remove and soil and debris and let it dry naturally, do not heat it to rapid dry. To prevent heavy staining from certain fruits, advisable to temporarily use a bin liner. Staining won't harm it, but to retain its natural colour, good practice.
Q. Where should I keep my trug?: A.On the vary rare occasion when a customer calls with a complaint, I pre-empt it with “so you store it in the greenhouse?”. The reply is always, “How did you know”. When stored in a greenhouse, the intensified heat ‘cooks’ the trug. This dries it out leaving no residual moisture content, so becomes brittle, like an aged twig and can fracture under shock or strain. So, store in a shed or other – just not a greenhouse!