AGTA registration procedure

Hi All,

I have been away from attending AGTA for 3 years. And it seems that
the same problems exist that we around a few years ago.

Problems with getting status again.

It is very frustrating having to jump through hoops to be able to go
and buy gems.

Do their exhibitors know how much they discourage buyers?

Any help, or pressure on AGTA would be appreciated…

I have been away from attending AGTA for 3 years. And it seems
that the same problems exist that we around a few years ago. 

Copy of your business license or tax-exempt certificate clearly
demon strating industry affiliation. Copies of itemized invoices
(totaling $10,000) from three different suppliers of jewelry,
precious metal or colored gemstones for purchases made within the
past year. Each invoice must show multiple items.

This seems pretty easy to satisfy if you are a wholesale buyer.
Where is the problem?

Richard Hart G.G.
Denver, Co.

I for one like the rules, they are there to encourage buyers. How do
they encourage buyers you ask. The rules keep out the general public
and hobbyist. Just because you have a sales tax number that says you
are in the jewelry business does not mean you are in the jewelry
business. When a professional jeweler goes into a gem show he wants
to see other professional jewelers and not his customers. Years ago
store owners would go to the regional shows, then they started
letting in anyone with a sales tax number. I went to a show in Dallas
Tx and saw my customer who was an interior decorator walking around
with another customer who she brought with her. I left and never went
back. That is why regional shows went down the tubes. There are
plenty of shows in Tucson to buy from. If you have some dealers that
can vouch for you they can usually get you in. I was in line at the
AGTA show years ago and a woman who sold costume jewelry was trying
to get in, they had to have security take her away. I thanked them
for not backing down.

Good luck
Bill Wismar

It is even worse now. I’ve gone for years, but this last year they
had a new thing to discourage buyers. They had big signs everywhere
that you could have a discount if you are an AGTA member. When I
checked, the cost of membership starts at $300. So it isn’t just to
get in the door, you get to pay extra if you don’t belong to their
exclusive club.

Last year I was surprised to see quite a few booths with finished
goods and many, many empty spaces. Although I’ve been going for more
than 15 years and I get in because I’ve been before, I think I’ll
pass this year. I don’t need the attitude. GJX has more choices
anyway.

Judy Hoch

They had big signs everywhere that you could have a discount if you
are an AGTA member. 

I wonder how it benefits the vendors to have to give discounts for
members. seems like it makes sets up an adversarial situation between
vendors and those that are not members.

Last year I was surprised to see quite a few booths with finished
goods. 

Most of the gemstone wholesalers, in the past, only sold gems, no
finished goods. I think that in this economy, some of the gem dealers
have had to use their gems to make finished goods. Probably easier to
sell their gems in finished jewelry.

Richard Hart G.G.
Denver, Co.

had a new thing to discourage buyers. They had big signs
everywhere that you could have a discount if you are an AGTA
member. When I checked, the cost of membership starts at $300. So
it isn't just to get in the door, you get to pay extra if you don't
belong to their exclusive club. 

Went to your website and see that you are a member of SNAG (speaking
about attitude) and COMA, do they not give discounts to their members
for workshops. A discount is a perk for members, its not a way to
discourage buyers.

Bill Wismar

Hi Richard,

I didn’t go this year, but my understanding was that the discount
was for the show registration fees, not any discounts on
merchandise.

They had big signs everywhere that you could have a discount if
you are an AGTA member. 
I wonder how it benefits the vendors to have to give discounts for
members. seems like it makes sets up an adversarial situation
between vendors and those that are not members. 
Last year I was surprised to see quite a few booths with finished
goods. 
Most of the gemstone wholesalers, in the past, only sold gems, no
finished goods. I think that in this economy, some of the gem
dealers have had to use their gems to make finished goods. Probably
easier to sell their gems in finished jewelry. 

I’m a little confused, because the AGTA/JCK show that I pay
attention to is in late May/early June, so it’s a little odd to be
hearing about it now, but at least that show really is two
allegedly separate shows happening at the same time, in almost the
same place: AGTA downstairs, and JCK upstairs. The rock show (AGTA)
is just that: rocks in stunning profusion. Upstairs is JCK, and
that’s got everything from tools to finished lines. But they’re
really not the same show, technically, and I think the buyer badges
are different, so it’s possible to get in to one, and not the other.

Regards,
Brian

Went to your website and see that you are a member of SNAG
(speaking about attitude) and COMA, do they not give discounts to
their members for workshops. A discount is a perk for members, its
not a way to discourage buyers. 

Bill - - I maintain a membership in SNAG to keep up on what they are
doing. I have long objected to their academics only orientation. If
you aren’t a member, it is difficult to change the organization. I
really don’t know whether they discount their workshops.

As a board member of CoMA, we encourage people to join our
organization and with that intent, we have priced our workshops to
make it advantageous to be a member of CoMA.

During our annual conference, our vendors charge the same to all
attendees, members or not.

Judy Hoch

I maintain a membership in SNAG to keep up on what they are doing.
I have long objected to their academics only orientation. If you
aren't a member, it is difficult to change the organization. 

I guess I object to the use of term “academic” as a license to make
stuff, which is amateurish, and even nauseating at times. SNAG
cannot be changed, it must be purged like king Augea’s stables. But
it will never happen. They are too engrossed into navel gazing. So
here we are.

Leonids Surpin