Hello everybody,
Sometimes things happen, good things, that you are just not prepared
for. My wife and I was at a wholesale show a couple of weeks ago.
One of the vendors spotted my wife’s ring while she was looking at
some of their work. They asked her about the ring and she told them
that I made it. Well to make a long story short they want me to
supply 40-50 rings to them. Now a little about the ring. It is what
is called a slider ring, one where the diamond will slide back and
forth. it is basically two square gold plates spaced apart to hold
the diamond and connect on the four corners with gold tubes. It
looks like a little piece of art when sitting on the table.
So I contacted them the following week because I did not have a card
with me. My major problem is that they are wholesalers and I would
have to supply them. I am use to supplying the retailer where it is
2.0 to 2.5 mark up.
Here read the e-mails below and let me know what you think.
My e-mail to them:
It was nice talking with you guys Sunday at the show. I have to
sit down and have a look at the ring and figure out the
production and cost. Cost is my biggest concern. I am typically
the wholesaler selling to the retail end of the business. Now I
would be the one selling to the wholesaler.
At what price point would you be thinking of selling this at?
Their e-mail to me:
Hello Rodney, thanks for getting back with us. Regarding the
production of the square sliding diamond ring, our thinking was
that we would supply you with the gold and diamonds and we would
incur any loss of gold in the manufacturing process. We would pay
you for your labor for the manufacture of the ring and I would
assume that we would get a price break proportioned on how large
the order may be. We don’t know what we would be selling the
rings for as it would depend on what part of the country we
would market them. I hope this proposal is reasonable with you.
If
you would like to discuss in detail you can call us at XXX-XXXX
or stop in the office.
Here are some of my concerns on this labor and materials. To start
the process, the side plates are cast from CAM cut waxes that cost
$75 a pair. So I figure I could do a set of masters from silver and
then make molds from really hard rubber. I forgot to mention this
design does not allow for sizing. I can size up alittle but not much
so I would need full and half sizes for ladies and they think men
too. So I am looking at 12 masters to be made. So there is one start
up cost. This ring is mathematical. So depending on the diamond size
your have to adjust the “head room” for the diamond. At this time I
do not have all the equipment the be self sufficient in completing a
ring from start to finish. Not a major item because I have someone
who has all the equipment with “low mileage” on it. I have just been
looking for a reason to buy, but it still takes money. Then I still
have to do the casting so there is electricity and casting materials
that have to be paid for.
One other concern I have is this statement off their website:
“design and manufacture diamond and fine colored stone jewelry
utilizing our overseas facility, selling to retailers across the
country”
What do I have to do to try to protect myself from them walking away
with a few rings and then sending them overseas. I know my options
are limited but I want to look professional when doing this and not
just the lamb headed for slaughter. Will a copyright help me as well
as establishing my trademark.
My mind is just all over the place on this and I am half tempted to
just walk away from this. I have to figure I spend form 7:45 to 6:30
at my w2 job, that includes travel time of about 1hr 20mins each
way. What is it worth for me to work 7pm to Midnight to build rings.
And the way my luck runs the qty would just go up. I thought about
cutting my work week back at my other job by one day.
I know I have rambled on long enough and thank you for taking the
time to read this. Any and all ideas would be a great help.
Thanks
Rodney
RC Gems