Hi all
In Richard's case, I don't think he sells in galleries and it's my
impression that he sets a price that fits the market he is in.
From what he's said before, I think he prices above the similar
"junk" mass produced items imported into Australia, but not so far
above that he's at "gallery" prices. That way people appreciate his
direct-from-the-craftsman situation and his superior quality of
goods, but feel they are getting a hell of a deal.
Well Roy summed it up very well where I come from. My prices are for
a poor rural area. I advise people who live in cities how to construct
jewellery like I make. E. g. solitaire stones in open back bezels and
how to make my mobius rings.
I also advise them that city prices should be 3 times what I sell
for in “Deliverance” land.
It is very hard to compete with the “junk” from Asia, buyers here
are not well educated about jewellery.
“Its shiny and cheap.” Wow!
Recently was shown a ring made in Asia, sold as handmade in
Australia. It had lost a stone, a green citrine cab.
The ring was a low grade casting and not even fineness marked 925.
The seller, pretending to be a silversmith had hammered up the shank
to enlarge the ring to get a sale. Of course he says he makes it all.
I said to my mates in the market “Hear that comedy act.” Just the
sound told us a disaster was in progress.
The ring shank was hammered down to half a mm, bent out of shape and
of course a crack was starting.
I told the lady the truth, not enough metal to hold the bezel set
stone. Band had bad hammer marks and was out of shape.
Taught her to use a loupe and showed her the start of the crack. She
said she had emailed the seller but no replies.
Told her to see the market organiser and next time he was here to
demand her money back. This is a market that says it has no imported
goods LOL.
This guy sells amber from Asia aka plastic. He was caught out, a
gemologist tested a piece confirmed plastic. But when the market
organiser was told this she told me the seller said it was “young
amber”. Well she knows the gemologist who tested the piece.
Who does she believe? The seller who pays for a stall not the
gemologist. She said “Am I to say he is lying?” I said “Well if he is
lying to your face, he is a lying.”
So the greedy market organiser does not realise she is an accessory
to a crime, fraud in Australia.
We shall have “a little chat” this week about the potential
consequences of letting low grade imported goods into a market that
promotes itself as only locally hand made. I am already organising
other markets to go to.
If this one is shut by the council because it breaches its license.
Not my problem, but I will organise a class action if it does close
against the market organiser for lose of income, because of her
crime.
all the best
Richard
