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#11
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#12
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John Franklin wrote:
[cut the unrealistic offer] Hum, lets do some math here. I would pay a fair 15% commission on $4K which works out to $600. I don't know, 6 hours of work? That is approximately $100/hour. I am unreasonable in my demands to pay someone to build a quality product for $100/hour? Sounds quite simple, however it is not so. It would work if you like to get melted down some coins an rolled out to a band an then formed on an oval bracelet. However its getting complicated if you like to get straight edges, or some articular, closing or other things. The goldsmith has to make wires, pipes and for setting stone some bezels. e.g. The first problem is, that you need significat more material for all of this, than the bracelet will contain. The second is, that some of the material will get lost in powder form by sawing and polishing. It could be recycled but this costs extra. The third is that, dependend of the order, the work will take between 20 until 100 hours or more, if you like it made like that. Some remark to the original question: It is true that a piece wich is made in a more expensive material, will cost more than the relation of material prices only. The reason is the same as in whole industry: the more expensive, results in smaller serie. Production and marketing costs must be payed back with fewer pieces. The other idea, to order custommade yewels could be an advantage if the goldsmith is spezialized in this work and material, he will have wires, pipes, closings and bezels prepared or even readymade. If you want to pay material inclusive some loss and a fair workingfee, sometimes you might get your individual yewel for a better price than readymade in a store. However you must order in advance and have no chance to try it before. A good goldsmith will draw a design before, so you might get an impression. [cut the mistrust] -- Heinrich Butschal http://jewels.butschal.com |
#13
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Thank you Peter for all your trouble on our behalf.I doubt if anyone
else would have said it better. In fact Mr. John Franklin owes you and us an apology for insulting our professionalism. Id say that my reputation ie, my customers trust, is the most valuable thing I have. Ive worked hard for 35 years to build that up and thats proved a god send in these difficult financial times. In addition to my own work I do custom metal work for a big electronics co. and they are delighted to pay me 100 dollars an hour because they can have it the next day, sometimes the SAME day!!! I find them answers they cant find anywhere else for the same price, and they trust me absolutely. To give one example I had a call at 3pm to solve a problem before 5.30 pm that day, when they had to go to Holland to fix 100 faulty VDU supports. They offered 500 dollars!! if I could find an answer. I did find the solution, supplied all hardware and tooling to fit same on time!!. Thats what earns trust and reputation, NOT looking over my shoulder to see what I am doing. If we dont deliver were nothing. |
#14
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On Wed, 22 Oct 2003 08:11:56 -0700, in rec.crafts.jewelry "ted.frater"
wrote: Thank you Peter for all your trouble on our behalf.I doubt if anyone else would have said it better. In fact Mr. John Franklin owes you and us an apology for insulting our professionalism. No, Ted, I don't think he does. Should a river apologize for flowing within it's normal stream bed, even if that's not a convenient location, or flooding (as some local ones are now doing, after Mondays record setting 5 inches of rain) when it rains too hard, just as they've done since, well, forever? The point is that though we can be insulted, and understandably so, by this type of mistrust, and we all have to work very hard to combat these stereotypes and attitudes, they are not all that unusual, and Mr. Franklin is just reflecting a typical public lack of understanding of the jewelry industry. This type of mistrust is the result of a lack of knowledge, and fear born of occasional past unpleasant experiences and hearsay. This is not nice for us, but it nevertheless is the way things are. Our job is to try not to get TOO insulted, even when it's well deserved, but rather to try and educate such customers so they'll then know the real truth involved, and won't need to be fearful of being cheated. And, of course, our job is also to work hard in any way possible to see that such fears remain unjustified. As an industry, we DO have occasional cheats and bad applies. Often, this too is the result of ignorance on the part of retailers willing to do anything for a buck, and customers willing to believe anything they're told. Knowledge is power, and we have the power to help improve these things all around. If Mr. Franklin's approach to us wasn't pleasant for us, that's not really his fault, as I expect it was an honest enough mistake, easily understood if one looks at it from his perception, just as we've asked him to look at it from ours. . It WILL be his fault if he ignores information offered to correct his misperceptions, but it will be our fault, as artists and an industry, if we fail to provide the truth when asked. Peter |
#15
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Peter W. Rowe pwrowe@ixDOTnetcomDOTcom wrote in message
. .. On Tue, 21 Oct 2003 23:02:11 -0700, in rec.crafts.jewelry (John Franklin) wrote: On Tue, 21 Oct 2003 23:02:11 -0700, in rec.crafts.jewelry you wrote: Let me reitterate some of the points I made to you in email, as well as a couple thoughts on this post... big snip If a customer in my business asked to sit down while our office processed their mortgage application paperwork we wouldn't think twice. OMG -- a mortgage broker calling jewelers dishonest.....!!!! Now at least we know where his suspicions come from. (Sorry, Peter, if this is something you feel you should delete, go ahead, but we just recently bought a house and this is something of a sore subject with me. Junk fees, broken promises, no call-backs, hidden charges, missed settlement dates, etc, etc.) On topic content -- the new house has a nice studio space! Regards, Bob |
#17
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Hi Peter, Its an interesting question, that I think an apology is due,
and you do not. This difference of view Id put down to the different cultural background that still exists between your nation and mine. I would certainly offer an apology if I had inadvertently upset somone. Just the way I was brought up. Guess im old fashioned!! Regards Ted. |
#18
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Hi Peter,
Just to let you know your posts do make a difference. I had an older Lady come in to the shop today wanting me to cut the white gold top of her ring so she could wear it as a plain gold band. She wanted to wait and watch, as she was very nervous about leaving it. Rather than say I can't do I made an appointment for her to come back. I hear there are some well paid jobs going at the UN these days Chris |
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