In my experience the service I've had from Gardiners has been outstanding everytime. If you want help on a technical issue just email Alex and he will come back with sound advise.
Whilst stock holding of poles is an issue, and I fully understand the logistic nightmare he has, we just have found ways of working accordingly. As users, we also need to evaluate any future purchase requirements and order them in good time. It's called planning. You can't expect to order a replacement once the original has broken.
By camparison, I ordered 2 prolong poles from everybodies favourite supplier Brodex on special a few years back. Got charged full retail price and it took weeks to get a refund. Poles took a week longer to arrive than promised and arrived with the wrong brushes fitted. First and last purchase from them.
Spruce