re wains and panacea

[Guest guest]

I used to use Spinks when they were Bristol Bottle (I think), then used Wains

for a while, then went back to Spinks - I find the Spinks staff really really

helpful and they deliver to where I live, which is great. The only problem I

have had recently was with a hexagonal brown dropper bottle order, I happened to

use one of the batch myself and found that whatever was in the dropper tasted

rubbery when dispensed.I went on to try others from the same batch and they all

tasted (and smelled) the same, regardless of what I put in them. I recalled the

few that I had sent out to patients - no had reported the smell, so I guess it

was just that I happened to notice it, knowing what the herbs should smell like.

I quizzed Spinks about this and they told me that they'd had to start using a

Chinese (I think) manufacturer of these bottles, as the UK firm who used to make

them had discontinued the line. There was no problem though, they replaced my

order with an alternative without question and sent a product query to the

distributor. To be honest, this was a while ago and although I remember that

tests revealed nothing harmful, I can't recall what the source of the taint

was.The staff are always helpful, suggesting suitable products when I'm not sure

what will do the job. They send out samples free of charge for you to see if

it's suitable for your needs.

With regard to Panacea - I've used them regularly, when they were Kingham Herbs,

when they worked with Rutland and now that they are Panacea. I've always found

them to be extremely helpful and very prompt with their deliveries. I always

found Skipworth to be really helpful - unfortunately he left the company

recently. I've only spoken to the new man in charge a couple of times, but again

he's been very helpful and the deliveries have continued to be prompt. I must

say that I've never heard them say anything untoward about Rutland. Their

encapsulation service has also been prompt and good value for money.

With best wishes

Sue Salmon, Huddersfield