We are considering expanding our business to include supplies Used
by Jewelry Stores - not items that jewelry stores sell (rings,
Bracelets, etc.), but items used by the jewelry store such as boxes,
Ultrasonics, loups, labeling machines, tools, etc. Could any of you
Provide me some ideas as to what items you buy most frequently and
what Products would you like to see your supplier provide. Also,
what do you Like most about your current supplier (price, customer
service, inventory, Delivery, terms, etc) and what do you like the
least. And, to pick you Brain a little further, how would you define
a “perfect” supplier. Thank You.
Ruth Ferrugio
Sales Representative
Romanoff International
what do you Like most about your current supplier (price, customer
service, inventory, Delivery, terms, etc) and what do you like the
least. And, to pick you Brain a little further, how would you
define a "perfect" supplier.
Like many of us, I buy most from Rio. What I like best is that I can
get almost everything I need in one place for a good price, fast,
and their customer service is top-notch. I can even negotiate a
better price when I buy, say, a whole bunch of one tool for a class.
Because they buy in such quantity, they can get-- and give-- a
better price than a smaller supplier can.
What I “like least” is that no one supplier can have everything, and
Rio doesn’t have some of the more arcane high-end findings or tools
I sometimes want, but I wouldn’t really say I have any complaint
about them.
Another thing I really like is that they show (often) multiple views
of a finding or a tool and say how it’s used. I see interesting
things in other catalogs but often am not sure exactly what I’m
seeing in the tiny photos, and most just don’t give enough info.
This has nothing to do with jewelry store supplies per se, but you
asked…
Lighting is always a troubling area – especially for those of us
who need showcase lighting for craft shows. Something that’s
portable, customizable, has the option of its own power supply, will
remain cool, and is the right color for making jewelry look good.
Labeling machines would be an area that I would be interested in. It
would be nice if they had software compatible with a Macintosh
computer, as well.
Inexpensive jewelry displays (busts, props) that you can customize
and add or subtract pieces as they fit your needs.
Tools are always a plus. Any tools. Small-scale tools are especially
welcome for me, being a woman with smaller hands. 09
I guess the thing I like the least about some of my suppliers is
that they have minimum orders requirement. This would be OK on a
first purchase… but I dislike having to place an order for
multiple items to qualify when all I need is one item. I had to do
this with a couple of items for my last show that I had run out of
at the last minute.
Also, when ordering a (physically) small-sized shipment, I prefer to
have that send via USPS priority mail. Some business don’t give that
as an option. I can’t always be home to catch the UPS or Fed-ex
driver to sign for the package.
what do you Like most about your current supplier (price,
customer service, inventory, Delivery, terms, etc) and what do
you like the least. And, to pick you Brain a little further, how
would you define a "perfect" supplier.
I just gotta butt in here and give the thumbs up to Stuller…their
delivery is fast and cheap (if you use UPS), their selection far
superior to anyone else I have found. Pricewise, ya always gotta
shop around I think, but Stuller remains competitive, especially if
you take advantage of their quantity breaks, and use their metals
club. Most of all, their tech support is what I like…I have talked
to their director of casting, stone specialists, and other people in
different departments, and their knowledge has not steered me wrong
so far…they went out of their way to call me back with an answer
if it was above their experience at times!!
An example is when the thermostat on my kiln burnt out…their tech
guy called the manufacturer and had a new one rushed out to me…at
the height of business last Xmas!!
I talked to Rio people before, and found their tech help great and
customer service personnel super at taking orders and answering
questions, but have cut purchases with them to a bare minimum since I
found out that at least four people in town have accounts with them
(and I don’t get out much in this town of 24K). I am not going to
compete with my suppliers!! I pay for a brick and mortar store and
all the expenses involved, and Rio will sell to anyone with a
business license even though their business is on their kitchen
table!! I have asked my other suppliers if they will sell to people
without brick and mortar stores, and the ones who assured me they
will not get 99% of my purchase orders now.
Just my two sense on suppliers, ya gotta have a few good ones…and
stay loyal to them, they are your ally in business, and your success
is truly linked to theirs. No ONE supplier is perfect, perfection is
over-rated, we are all just trying our best.
Tim, We at Stuller have really got to say THANKS for the wonderful
comments that you have given us. We realize that it is not possible
for one person to know everything; however we can direct you to the
person who will know the answers. Even though our prices are
suggested to us by the manufacturer, if you mention that if you
mention that you have found it less at one of our competitors we will
certainly do our best to match that price for you. Being a member of
the Tech Team it is a always a challenge and a delight when we are
able to the spare parts that you needs and get them to you in the
nick of time!
Have a Happy Holiday!
Andy The Tool Guy Kroungold
Phone 800-877-7777 ext 4194
Fax 337-262-7791