I just had the most unfortunate experience with the company in New
York called “Metalliferous.” They sent me one tiny spool of fine
silver wire in a single envelope and charged $6.95 for shipping. It
would probably cost 50 cents at the post office. So, this little bit
of fine silver wire is costing me one-fourth more than it should.
When I called the company, I was told that this is the way that all
backorders were processed, and I should have been asked when I
placed my order if I wanted it on backorder. But, no one did ask me.
I would never agree to such outrageousness! Since I spent $500 with
them on my original order, I would think there could be some
accommodation!
Also, I ordered some brass and copper sheet because I am learning
how to combine metals with sterling silver. Unfortunately, I ordered
each in quite a few different gauges. Many of these sheets came with
so many scratches, and some of them so deep, that hours of work will
be added to my jewelry pieces. When I mentioned this, the company
representative told me that they are base metals, so that should be
expected. I told him that I ordered them to make jewelry (as was
obvious by my order), and I doubted that Rio would send things in
such poor shape. He informed me that Rio would charge more. Well, it
would be worth it to save the hours of filing, polishing, etc. I
will have to do. He hung up on me!
Should I have known better than to order from, or deal with, this
company? I did place one small order with them in the past - for
thick-walled sterling silver tubing that I couldn’t find at Rio, but
I had no problems with them for that order.
I have to say that Metaliferous is one of my favorite places to
purchase jewelry materials. They are prompt, have most supplies
available and when I have visited the store have been most pleased by
the staff. I’m afraid that everyone has an unfortunate experience one
time or another with a place of business; however, Metaliferous in my
opinion is a place to do business with.
This is very interesting b/c they have a minimum order of $25 or
they dont send things out. I have never heard of them sending 1
item, as they have NEVER done this for me in the past. This is one
of my favorite suppliers and FAVORITE place to visit in all of the
US. I am sorry about your experience. I love Metalliferous b/c its
NOT Rio. They are cheaper, but you are not getting the highest of
quality. Its more of a budget place. Good luck with your future
orders.
I haven’t experienced problems with them, but they do amuse me with
what I call “the New Yawk” attitude.
On the West Coast when I order from someone we usually talk some as
I order, trade weather stories, etc. Nothing much, just something
that makes the exchange be about 2 people. Often I get talked into
ordering something I didn’t know I needed from a friendly helpful
sales rep answering my questions, suggesting other solutions.
When I order from Metalliferous its seems like they are saying:
“Whatcha want?!” I barely get my order out (no time to ask
questions…) and they are off the phone. I’ve even had to call
them back to ask my questions. A little more time on the phone, a
friendlier attitude, would result in more sales to me. I don’t call
them much as I don’t want to work that hard to order from them. And
I like their stuff. I always feel like I interrupted their day and
they are a bit miffed I’m bugging them with my order.
Customer service does = sales. This doesn’t help you with your
problem, but attitude seems to be part of their business plan.
Rio sent me some scratched oily fingerprinted and tarnished
metal-once, they promptly replaced it at their expense.Metalliferous
is just doing bad business…ask to speak to the owner and return the
metal that was scratched for a full refund…If they refuse-you have
recourse if you paid with a credit card, base metal or not it
shouldn’t be sent out scratched deeply-surface imperfections OK, but
deep so that you’ll loose gauge depth is unacceptable…Also in being
a good consumer if not satisfied with some telephone rep- ask to
speak to the refinery manager or the fabrications manager or the
owner…Don’t just take the kind of <> they gave you…rer
I have had negative experiences with Metalliferous too. I thought it
was just me. I have ordered a lot from them in the past and they act
as if you are bothering them. I deal with another New York vendor who
deals in Gems (Dikra Gems- Awesome… Ask for David (800) 873-4572)
and he is a sweetheart. He always takes care of me and never the big
New York attitude of Metalliferous. I think it’s just them. I was
just surprised they are treating so many people like this. Bad
business. Call David!
I am not all that impressed with them. I found small flecks of
copper in some sterling silver. I found them to be not all that
customer friendly
I agree they seem to be the types that give New York a bad
stereotype. But they have types of chain I’ve seen no where else,
plus a huge variety if base metal chains and findings.
Over the years I have had my share of run ins with Metalliferous. I
have found them to never be on the customer’s side on a dispute. I
did not do business with them for several years because of an
incident, but they often have things I can’t find anywhere else.
Recently I placed an order and one item had to be back ordered. After
reading your post I thought it was worth a phone call to them to ask
if I would be responsible for the shipping when it came in. They said
I would have to pay full shipping so I cancelled the back order.
After all, it’s not my fault if they don’t have an item they
advertise – Rio does not do that and neither do any other companies
I work with. I think it’s just bad business and people should
complain or it will not change.
Many of these sheets came with so many scratches, and some of them
so deep, that hours of work will be added to my jewelry pieces.
When I mentioned this, the company representative told me that they
are base metals, so that should be expected.
Pat, one should never “expect” base metal to come all scratched. I
order my base metal sheet from Rio Grande and from Indian Jewelers
Supply, and they always arrive in very good shape. I also doubt that
Rio or IJS are more expensive for base metal than is Metalliferous.
I’ve never mail-ordered anything from Metalliferous; in the last
year or two (or more) there were occasional complaints on Orchid
about their attitude. I have only visited in person and have always
had a good time talking with the knowledgeable staff there (besides
buying things I cannot find elsewhere).
I have to say that Metaliferous is one of my favorite places to
purchase jewelry materials.
John, I second your experience! I have dealt with them since they
first open their doors and I have always found them to be extremely
cooperative in trying to please a customer. There are times when a
service person has had a bad day and this may color their response,
but this is not the normal. They also have an extensive stock of
items, some of which you may not find in many of the well known
supply co.
I do think that Pat should give them a second chance, and she might
find them much more coopereative than her bad experience
I always feel like I interrupted their day and they are a bit
miffed I'm bugging them with my order.
This is exactly how they treat people in their store. I went there a
few weeks ago and was horrified by how they were treating people;
myself included. I decided then and there, to not give them my
business.
I opened this thread hoping that perhaps my experience was an
exception, but it seems, sadly, to be the rule.
The few times I have ordered from Metalliferous, the products arrived
in good condition. But, there was a definite NY attitude that comes
with the deal. I find it IMMENSELY more pleasant dealing with
companies in the south and mid-west. They tend to be much more
polite, helpful, and take their time to make your purchase a
pleasant experience. Funny, whenever I call New York, I ready myself
for rudeness. Too bad.
A friend of mine just ordered based on their website. They contacted
her and told her it would be twice as much, since they hadn’t
updated the website in a while.
I have always felt as if I was "bothering" them with an order
also. How can people like this stay in business?
most of their business is mail order. The rest is probably mostly
local, i.e., other New Yorkers. Since a number of people here have
said they like going to the store, I suspect they don’t stand out,
attitude-wise, if you are used to New York already
That said, I feel compelled to add in defense of New Yorkers
some years ago my husband and I took our then three (we had another
later) very young children to NYC by train for a relative’s 90th
birthday. We crossed the street from Grand Central in the rain and
ducked into a doorway with a small crowd of other people-- only to
realize we were missing out 4-year-old!! We started calling for her,
and everyone seemed to immediately understand the situation. Everyone
fanned out immediately both ways down the street calling “Veronica,
Veronica!” She was found right away-- she had kept walking (in her
little red raincoat) when we ran into the doorway. New Yorkers have a
brusque style, but they’re as good-hearted as anyone else.
I can’t argue with the “New York attitude” at Metalliferous, however
they haven’t made me mad enough to abandon them. Nonetheless the
hairs on the back of my neck do go up just as soon as someone answers
the phone with, as Carla says, the “Whatcha want?!?” attitude. I
believe Vinnie is in charge of the mail order department - their
customer service was WORSE before he got there (a couple of years
ago).
They do have items available I can’t find elsewhere but they make
returns more difficult than other suppliers. Also their shipping
charges are OUT OF SITE - $18+ for a ground orders to the west coast.
Hopefully someone at Metalliferous has seen these posts as bad
manners don’t boost sales.
Can you legally do that (charge more than advertised)? I thought you
were legally required to go by the advertised price, unless you had
a disclaimer posted clearly. Anyone know the truth on this?