pugdog
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Apr 20, 2007, 11:08 AM
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Store hours & closings
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Over the past few months we've had more random closings, late openings, and early closing than in our past history.
Those of you who stop by often know we are a family shop and our kids (and their friends) are a big part of our lives. You also know that we have a special needs child, and were/are in the process of adopting another. In the middle of that, things got out of hand, and after 3 years of her being in our lives, she was yanked from it, pretty hard. Our other child has also had a rough time, and is out of the house again.
This has put a great strain on us, as a family, and as people trying to get through each day.
We have not put as much time on-line or in building the websites as we had planned. It seems keeping the shop open each day is an accomplishment enough.
Marie has done some amazing beaded and strung projects from earrings and bracelets to high-end designer commission jewelry.
I'm back to building the dollhouses, and those who've come into the store have seen the dollhouses have moved a bit more into the visible areas.
Also in this time, we've had a lot of new customers, and sudden runs on items that have not moved in months or years. We're not complaining about that -- not at all -- but it's caused shortages and out of stock conditions on a lot of items we've always had on hand -- sterling beads, clasps, wire, and odds and ends for the most part. After a sluggish holiday and start to the year, people seem to have resigned themselves to the high price of silver (13-14 not 7-8) and are buying again. As posted earlier, I don't think silver is going to ever go back below $12, for a number of reasons -- not the least of which people will pay at least that for it.
We still offer the collectible SCI-FI kits, but they will end up being an on-line only catalog at some point. We don't have room for everything on display.
Our new service of ordering through Firemountain Gems has been a big success too, and we are doing more of that. We can usually save you money on your orders from their catalog, and you don't pay the shipping and handling fees. If there is a special clasp, stand of beads, or item you need, you don't have to try to get a large order together for the best discount. We'll give you 2nd level pricing on most items, 3rd level on some items -- and no shipping on beads/findings and such (heavy items will have a shipping charge).
Just like the trunk shows and vendors that come by -- we can't buy everything (so we invite you to come see what you want) -- we can't stock every item out there. We don't have enough space! But we can get it for you.
Remember, as a brick & mortar shop in business for a long time, we can often get pricing better than available in general on the Internet. As many of our customers have found out, shopping by price alone is risky. It's hard to make sure you are comparing apples to apples, and not Rolls Royce to a Fiat. It's also impossible to match colors from a catalog or computer monitor. We do our best to offer the best quality at the best prices, and regular customers get even better deals on many things. It's something a local, family run shop can do that chain stores and mail order cannot.
So, bear with us. Check out our new items, and new services. We'll see you soon!
Robert & Marie
PUGDOG's Rock & Bead Shop
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
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