Kegan, You should order from one of the East coast vendors. The problems these guys talk about come from bamboo which gets too dried out when shipping or got soaked en route..
Giant yellow bamboo slats can easily become too dry either in the super dry air of a jet, or riding on a train through the southwest..
Getting wet/mold is package abuse from the shippers as well, and I know Franks didn't ship it like this..I have been using Franks bamboo for nearly 20 years and I can assure you...
Those of us on the West coast don't have these problems with Franks.
You don't want to risk getting bamboo shipped cross country..Shippers could care less what shape your product is in when it gets there, which is why the closest vendor is best in your situation..
...Look up Bamboo and Rattan works..I think they are in Jersey...
Rich-cuts his own