Can't Get a Stuller Account

Hi, I have been trying to obtain a Stuller account with no luck. I
have been told by Stuller to buy from 2 places gold with my resale
number but not Rio Grande etc.

When asked, the company would not tell me places they would accept
either. I typically work in gold accents and small findings, but now
I need to order a ring and am not liking what I am finding on the
market. I would like to be able to order from Stuller.

Does anyone have any suggestions on places where to buy gold so I can
obtain an account with my resale number?

I appreciate any feedback or suggestions.

Thank you

I have been trying to obtain a Stuller account with no luck. I have
been told by Stuller to buy from 2 places gold with my resale
number but not Rio Grande etc. 

I’m not sure where they would accept since they won’t accept Rio
Grande. You can try Hoover & Strong

which has a very wild selection of metal stock and mountings. I have
bought from them in the past when I needed specialty stock and was
VERY please with there service.

Personally I gave up on Stuller when they closed down Swest. Swest
was much more of a personable company to work with and I was in the
Dallas branch two to three times a week picking up metals and other
supplies. I pretty much switched to them exclusively since I was
given an automatic quantity price any time I purchased. Well Stuller
decided to shut Swest down and promised a smooth transition for the
customers. After several weeks of phone calls, I finally got my
customer number, but they had not transferred my quality pricing
over and refused to set me up with any level of discounts for
metals. I decided to go back to getting quotes from other places and
Rio was coming up cheaper every time in the 50oz to 100oz range for
Sterling so I just threw the Stuller catalogs and stuff into the
archive filing cabnet in the back and went with Rio for most things.

Paul Ewing
Shining Moon Creations

Will Stuller take a credit card number from you? that is how I have
been shopping there for years.

Mary frances

I’m sorry that I don’t have the exact answer to your specific
question, but your post does bring up a lot of questions for me. Why
is there a need to obtain an account with someone? I have not
experienced this before. I want some thing from someone…I call,
give my cc number, and then I get it. I don’t spend money that I have
not made yet…do you mean that you need a line of credit? After I
have been with a certain company for a while, they offer
terms…they might offer to send things on approval. This is after a
while though. Sometimes, I have to spend a certain amount of money to
get the prices I need. I have never heard of account before though.
May I suggest that you might try any other company you can if it is
this difficult to buy? I think I am showing my “green” (newness),
but, if it was me, will they allow you to order if you use your
credit card?

Kim Starbard

I have been trying to obtain a Stuller account with no luck 

Have you asked to open a credit card account? That’s how I started
out with them. You can use a debit or credit card, and they’ll charge
it and ship it. After a couple years of this, they were happy to
create an open account for me.

As for other companies, try Hoover and Strong, Cobb Findings,
R-Findings, Overnight Mountings, Ed Mar, United Precious Metals
(only raw materials from them, though), Precious Metals West (again,
only raw materials)

Unfortunately, gaining open accounts usually means you need to have
references for current open accounts… a lovely catch-22, eh? So
the credit/debit card route may be your best bet for a while.

Matthew Crawford
www.MatthewDesigns.com

http://www.southeasternfindings.com

David Geller

JewelerProfit, Inc.
510 Sutters Point
Atlanta, GA. 30328
(404) 255-9565 Voice
(404) 252-9835 Fax
david@JewelerProfit.com

I have been trying to obtain a Stuller account with no luck. I have
been told by Stuller to buy from 2 places gold with my resale
number but not Rio Grande etc 

The primary reason Stuller requires accounts and references is to
help maintain their status as true wholesalers to the jewelry trade
business. They really don’t want to have to deal with the folks who
are just dabbling in jewelry making.

Perhaps a better way for you to go is to find an alternate source
other than Stuller to purchase the settings you want. I would be
willing to bet that someone would be willing to piggyback an order
for you on one of their orders.

Betty

Do You have a J B T listing? They want business not hobbyist who
shop at craft stores.

Don in Idaho It snowed today. Will it ever quite? ready for summer!

I think you misunderstand they won’t sell to the person. Stuller
wouldn’t even sell to me. I wasn’t trying to open an account to
charge things net thirty or whatever they wouldn’t sell to me. After
I jumped through their hoops and gave them the trade references etc.

They will NEVER get my business. There are other suppliers.

Teri
Silver & Cameo Heritage Jewelry
www.corneliusspick.com

Stuller, will be happy to open any one a tools and metals account.
For other areas you will need the proper paperwork. If I can help you
know how to reach me

Andy " The Tool Guy" Kroungold
Tool Sales / Technical
Stuller Inc
Phone 800-877-7777 ext. 94194
Fax 337-262-7791

Kim,

I want some thing from someone...I call, give my cc number, and
then I get it. I don't spend money that I have not made yet...do
you mean that you need a line of credit? 

Stuller requires you to set up a customer account with them before
you can place orders. The account has nothing to do with extending
credit (you can also apply for a credit account if you choose - I’ve
always found it easier to pay with a credit card when I order from
suppliers). They are true wholesalers, so this is simply so that they
can screen their customer base to ensure they’re selling to
legitimate businesses, not to Joe Schmo who wants to buy a ring
wholesale for his aunt Mary. It also screens out “hobbyist”
jewelry-makers in many cases. BUT, if you’re serious in this
business, there will be companies like Stuller who you will want to
do business with and it will be worth jumping through the hoops once
or twice to get the account established. Their pricing is good,
selection extensive, and quality is excellent, on everything ranging
from tools and findings to metals and mountings and stones.

They aren’t the ONLY company I buy from, by a long shot, but they do
represent a sizeable portion of my buying in any given year.

Karen Goeller
@Karen_Goeller

Hi Kim,

I think I am showing my "green" (newness), but, if it was me, will
they allow you to order if you use your credit card? 

Stuller and many, many other manufacturers try to do business with
other professional craftspeople, and will often require proof that
you actually have a business before they sell to you. IOW,
re-sellers get the wholesale price, but those goods are not
available to just anyone who calls them. This is done to protect the
retailer. For instance, you can’t call General Motors and order a
car, you have to go to the dealer.

The delaer gets the car at a wholesale price, you cannot. So, most of
those who manufacture products for the retail trade sell only to
those who are, and can prove they are, in retail. And an account is
the normal way that busines is done. At the end of the month, they
send you a bill for the things you have ordered and you pay them.

You said “I don’t spend money that I haven’t made yet.” Well, in
business, it is often necessary to spend money to make money. For
instance, in my case, I might buy a kilo of rough stone for $5,000,
and pay for it in thirty days or less (or right now) but not make my
profit until most of it has been cut and sold. That’s sort of how
most business works.

And, yes, volume orders usually can expect a discount. Note that some
suppliers are more lenient than others with their selling rules.

BTW, if you go to Tucson, unless you can not only prove you are a
retail store owner and have ordered goods to a certain level within
a certain time frame, there are some shows you will be barred from
entering. Same thinking; it protects those who have truly invested
in their business.

Good question.

Wayne Emery
The Gemcutter

Lunarcowgirl? I like the name!

I had the same problem with Stullar after buying from them for years.
Don’t feel too bad, I had an unfortunate experience with cancer and
stopped buying directly from them for about three years. Due to my
low cashflow, one of my accounts was kind enough to order for me when
I needed something ( my mistake in hindsight). They unfortunately
retired and…I was unable to re-establish myself quickly, like I
thought I might be able to do. Stullar also asked that I purchase
from someone else before asking again. They told me to fax two
invoices from other companies showing that I was purchasing for
resale some jewelry product. The problem was…their product was
what my customer wanted and I could not afford to make it as
inexpensively. Now I am left with the option of buying something that
I don’t have a customer for and wasting my money or hopefully finding
something from some other supplier that my (few) customers would
want. Not being a full bore stocking retailer this might take awhile.
In the meantime I am missing out on some sales. Stullar has a good
product and catalog presentation for the customer that doesn’t want a
custom (high priced) ring but they are making it dificult for the
small time craftsman/ retailer/designer person to do any business
with them. Short of fabricating a few invoices from other business
contacts there isn’t much you can do until you can match your
customer with a product that you can buy from some other vendor. I am
in the process of finding others to do business with and if I am
satisfied I will not buy from Stullar in the future. The conveinience
and familiarity is hard to beat although my recent experience has
left me a little sour. Perhaps someone can offer some sources for
both of us.

-charles

Hi Wayne:

You said "I don't spend money that I haven't made yet." Well, in
business, it is often necessary to spend money to make money. For
instance, in my case, I might buy a kilo of rough stone for
$5,000, and pay for it in thirty days or less (or right now) but
not make my profit until most of it has been cut and sold. That's
sort of how most business works. 

I very much agree, but I’m afraid I worded my post differently from
what I meant. I feel a business should always have a buffer held in
savings…just in case. Even I, as a small-time crafter, have what I
call a “special savings” account. What I meant to say was that I
don’t operate in the red. I agree with your point completely and
probably, when I am more established, will operate in the same way.

BTW, my special savings is about to come in very handy for my
upcoming classes with Kulicke. I knew I kept that money for a good
reason!

Best Regards,
Kim Starbard

A while back, James Gilbert at Stuller posted Stuller’s policies to
get an account (below).

I followed his instructions and got a response from another Stuller
person asking for more documentation, history, etc. When I forwarded
to her the Orchid post (and copied James Gilbert on it), magically I
had to do nothing else but provide a copy of my tax id certificate.

Hopefully, you too will get the same results by referencing (or
including) the following email from James Gilbert.

Good luck!
Elizabeth

These posts about Stuller crop up occasionally, and I am pretty sure
there is not one professional jeweler or repair person who does not
have an account with Stuller.

Because of their huge inventory, the overnight Fed Ex for $8, the
service, the knowledge of the people who take orders, the incredible
customer service, I can not live without them.

They have gone the extra mile time and time again. There has never
anything other than friendly and courtious service 100 % of the
time.

If you cannot get products for Stuller, in my not so humble opinion
it is that you are not serious about what you are doing. It is not
them, it is you. Andy the tool guy had offered intercession on some
level over and over to help resolve issues, and there is still what I
consider whining. Twenty years of literally weekly or bi-weekly
ordering is where I am coming from.

Any problem I had was resolved in my favor. When my wife had medical
problems and I got behind, explaining my situation, they spread my
payments over several months, AND KEPT SHIPPING !!! No company can
do more or better than that.

If you are legitimate and legal, there should be no problem.

Richard Hart

Hi:

Stuller and many, many other manufacturers try to do business with
other professional craftspeople, and will often require proof that
you actually have a business before they sell to you. IOW,
re-sellers get the wholesale price, but those goods are not
available to just anyone who calls them. This is done to protect
the retailer. 

Wow, I was showing my greenness. My apologies to the original poster
if I sounded like a bore. I had no idea

Actually, I don’t disagree with the fact that companies do this.
Even though I am not one of the businesses that “qualifies” as of
yet, I will be.

I did go to New York a while back and shopped for beads. My business
name that I shop under has recently changed and, because of this,
the woman could not find my file. When she told me I would get no
discount, I thought I had made the 2 and 1/2 hour train trip for
nothing. Luckily, the sales girl remembers me. It just means that,
next time I go, I bring copies of receipts, that’s all. I actually
appreciate the fact that they gave me a hard time. It means that they
won’t give the best prices to just everybody.

Thanks for setting me straight on that
Kim Starbard

I had the same problem with Stullar after buying from them for
years. Don't feel too bad, I had an unfortunate experience with
cancer and stopped buying directly from them for about three
years. 

I had the same problem…first cancer of my own and then terminal
illness of my daughter. Slowed my business down to accommodate my
health and then moved to a different state so I could be close to my
daughter and grandchildren to help her during her last days with us.

After being here for almost a year I called “Stullar” with an order
and was told, no you have to send two yadayahayada and then we can
re-establish your account. I’m thinking “Your kidding! Right?”.
Sour? Just a little, not only do I have to re-establish life now I
have to re-establish suppliers…No Thank you…I’ll buy from others
and recommend that others not use Stullar. I won’t make a dent in
their business but at this time in my life principle, fair trade, and
morals matter to me…

Char (Ms. Charolette’s established 20 years ago, but not
with Stullar any longer!!!)

There is a solutuon for some of you having problems ordering from
Stuller. If you know someone who has an account. If you call and
place an order with someone your know, and pay them with a credit
card, they can call Stuller and have it drop shipped to you. I would
do that for someone that I knew was legitmate.

And my experience of having an account with Stuller and closing it,
restarting several years later was not a problem for me, but that was
15 years ago, and maybe they are stricter now. I just gave them my
old account name and was given $500 credit limit.

Richard Hart

Hi, Here is my understanding of the situation: If you want to buy raw
materials from Stuller, it is easy to set up an account. All you need
is a credit card. However, because Stuller’s primary market is
individually-owned jewelry stores, they wish to protect those
store-owners’ interests by making it wholesale-only for finished
jewelry. Therefore, to get an account to buy rings, etc. one needs
to show that you are truly “in the business”. If you call and want to
buy only stones or metal, it should not be a problem; if the sales
person does not understand these rules, ask for a Steve McDiarmad.

Cynthia