RThoads
Subscriber
I am 100% serious.
Now, if it is leaking, like you said it was, that is a different issue; and it should not be used because the seal is compromised.
This would be the same even if the outer finish looked perfect; if it leaks, the seal may be compromised.
I fully support you and would help you get a replacement if it is leaking because no one should use a leaking vial.
You paid for a product and should get a functional safe product.
Clearly, I stand behind you on the replacement of the leaking vial and it sounds like so does the source.
But, that does not mean the stopper is dissolving away.
Let that vial sit in a drawer for the next ten years and see if the stopper dissolves -- I don't think it will.
Your example leaking does not mean everyone that has a cosmetically imperfect stopper has the same issue, or any issue.
Just like when the heat/pressure changes cause some stoppers to be sucked inward in the middle resulting in a divot, it does not automatically mean there is any functionality flaw or chance of sterility being compromised; in most cases such things are just cosmetic and will not be replaced.
However, in cases when there was actual damage or leaking, I have always seen Frank offer a replacement.
Out of curiosity regarding your theory of dissolving stoppers, explain how, if the carrier oil is disintegrating the stoppers, the internal side of the stopper was not all gone long ago?
Why do you show two vials right next to each other but only one stopper has a rough texture?
they both have the same carrier oil/solvent formula.
IF they are disintegrating or dissolving from contact with oil, why are they not all doing this?
why would the top suddenly go that far but the inside that has been in contact for a long time (maybe years depending upon batch date) not dissolve?
I understand not everyone here has formal education in chemistry etc. but just simple logic shows that if the theory of solvent/oil dissolving stoppers were true, ALL the vials would show the same alleged deterioration and also the inside would have extreme damage long before the outer surface shows just this little bit of rough finish.
The more likely and reasonable explanation is simply that the source purchases large batches of stoppers from a stopper producer (all source have to do this because no AAS source produces stoppers) and, as with ANY product on earth some of the stopper may not meet the desired standard or spec (even jet engines or brake pads etc -- even FDA approved meds that get recalled later -- even work you, I, or anyone else here has done -- nothing done by humans is without chances of error).
This source is large-scale with automated production lines; Pharmacom is not a one-man show in garage where each stopper is picked up by hand or inspected.
Thousands of stopper are dumped into the hopper and sent through sterilization. Then they are installed onto filled vials by automated industrial-scale production lines.
This means, if some % of purchased stopper are not up to standards or desired specs, they may have damage or get damage during sterilization, heat, and processing etc.
As with any business or production, there will always be some % of supplies that are not perfect. The problem is when this error becomes too costly or high to be accepted.
Fro example, in this case Frank already said Pharmacom was disappointed with some batches of stoppers from this supplier and felt they were not meeting Pharmacom's desired standards, so the Pharmacom has decided to change stopper supplier.
Anyone with a production or manufacturing, even construction, business or job experience knows this is always part of doing business -- outwardly a business deals with marketing, sales, and customer issues; internally, a business has to deal with supply chains, raw materials, component suppliers etc.
IF you have actual damage or a leak, then it is a real issue and the vial should not be used (in such a case, contact the source and inquire about getting a free replacement).
But if it is just cosmetic, no damage, no leaks, then the product is functionally sound and there is no reason for a replacement.
Of course, the beauty of a free-market is that we are each free to shop around and each may buy wherever he or she freely chooses.
Maybe there is some magical source out there that is immune to the normal aspects of any business or production and never even has a cosmetic flaw on any product ever...
I've always helped a lot of you, so share the love and when one of you finds a source that, unlike any of us or any other business or human creation in history, is absolutely perfect in every way, please PM me so I can use it too.
Until then I have to shop in reality and compare real sources from the options available, and Basicstero is one of my best options.
Last edited:
and then go visit some family for the weekend. So I may not be online much for the next couple days.
