pugdog
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Mar 13, 2005, 10:14 AM
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Changes in the store: March 2005
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We've been moving things around again for the past few weeks, and it's amazing how much floor there is, when you start to finally get things "adjusted".
We've changed the front entrance to be a bit more finished (we even have new lighting outside!).
The sterling silver has been moved to the other side of the store, where it's a bit brighter, in general, and there's more room to see things, and create.
The center Island has been cut way down, and we are trying to work some work stations, or help-areas into that middle section.
As we reported, the pit area has 4 workstations, and all the rough rocks. We still have 2 stations fully open, even with all the moving, and by next week we should have it all settled down.
There even seems to be a _CHANCE_ we'll get the classroom in the back open! That will give a private/semi private area for classes of up to 8 people around a large table.
We have found so many beads, slabs and interesting rough pieces, we don't know what to do with them! Many things we ordered for people, or just to have, that were never picked up got burried, and we forgot about them. They are surfacing, and we have hundreds of new beads, colors, and shapes out. Mostly more interesting beads.
Our philosophy is that, especially if you are reading this, people shop on the web. They look around and buy "sales" (whether they are real sales or not). Things like rounds, especially, and other small beads, or crystals, can be bought on-line, often at a savings, since they are "accent" items, or stock items (Swarovski and Miyuki beads can be reordered, and a code number gives you what you EXPECT to get).
What you can't do on-line is actually see the colors, shapes, sizes, or patterns in specific beads. So, we try to stock the gemstones in more unusual shapes, more expensive sizes (larger), and more unusual materials that are "risky" to buy on-line.
You can come in, put your hands on them, match them up to what you are working on, and pick the bead you need from the bunch. Not all "red jasper drops" are the same. Natural variations make some more "interesting" or even the wrong color for your needs.
We do stock a basic supply of accent/filler beads, but our goal is to provide the stuff you CAN'T get on-line, or get on-line without taking a risk or spending a whole heck of a lot of money, when all you need is ONE.
Same with our sterling. We can allow you to pick one of everything for the same price as 100 of one thing, because it's all by weight, and YOU provide the labor and packaging. You can't do that on-line, and unless you use a lot of one item, there is no question we can save you money on your silver -- especially by not forcing you to keep a large stock of unused "extra" beads around (beads you had to buy to get that "good" price). If you do use a lot of a certain type of bead, let us know which ones, we can special order in bulk for you, and keep a good supply on hand for emergencies. (We're open til 8pm most days, and have weekend hours, try to do *that* by mail!)
The point of this message is that most of the beaders in town are not making the best use of what we offer. You may *think* you get a better deal on-line, or by mail. Those designers who have been making use of our wholesale services are finding out that we can save them money AND time, as we get to know their needs. We can also find special and unusual items for them they'd never have seen otherwise.
Also, those who are using us, find that when they get stuck, and need a few missing pieces, we give them the best prices we can -- as a perk of dealing with us. You come up short 15 crystals, or 2 toggles, you'll still get the wholesale price for your project, you don't have to spend a minimum or buy things you don't need right now.
But, we need to say again, we do this for those who are regular customers. It wouldn't be fair to them if we did it for those people who did not support our shop, and only come in when they are in trouble, or their on-line sources are late. That would be unfairly helping "the other guys" as it were.
While jewelry making and beading is a great, relaxing hobby, the BUSINESS of making and selling is fiercely competitive, and we understand that. So, we support our wholesale customers as loyally as they support us -- both in the store, when they are buying from us, and when they are not in the store -- by not underselling them to their competition.
We want to be PITTSBURGH'S BEST bead shop (and rock shop). We did mail order for 5 or 6 years, and really don't want to go that route again. We like our rocks, and beads, and want you to come in, see them, touch them, and fall in love with them.
We want to be able to give you hands-on help, and advice.
(Do you know we offer free cimping and finishing services to our customers who can't do it themselves?)
As St. Patrick's Day comes along, there are a LOT Of green beads I'd like to get rid of! :)
PUGDOG's Rock & Bead Shop
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
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