Ive got a bitshopper version of the stick and I occasionally have the same problem. I have to hotplug it sometimes upto 10 times and restart cgminer before its recognised. But once it is will happily run 250m.

Strangely enough ive found its most tempermental when its cold. Once its warmed slightly, even if you hold it in your hands, it starts up the first time the majority of the time.