Buying Wholesale Jewelry Supplies – Do’s and Don’ts
I have been making and selling jewelry for at least six years now and I can say that my customers are often impressed with the quality of jewelry pieces I sell to them, the quality of stones and other findings I use in my creations and of course the prices at which I sell my pieces.
When it comes to buying jewelry supplies, there are some tips and tricks I use. I have been in this business for years and I have spent a lot of time hunting down the best wholesalers and suppliers for the materials I use. In this post, I will share with you some ideas and some do’s and don’ts that can help you choose the right supplies for your jewelry making needs.
Do’s
Being able to buy wholesale jewelry supplies really makes a big difference. But some jurisdictions do not allow individuals to purchase wholesale without having a sales tax license. So the first thing that you must do is find out about the local regulations and if needed, get a sale tax license so you can purchase wholesale jewelry supplies.
You will find a number of wholesale jewelry supplies markets if you live close to a major metropolitan city. So in this case, always consider buying from the wholesaler in your local area and not online. This way you will be able to see the quality of the products in person before you make an investment. When you shop in person, you can pick the best supplies for your jewelry making needs.
Bead shows and expos are held frequently so you must also check these out because most of the time, these shows and expos carry wholesale jewelry supplies that you cannot get from your local supplier.
Whenever you buy something from a wholesaler in person, don’t forget to get their business cards. Perhaps the wholesaler also has a website and the next time you order, you don’t have to visit him in person. You can do it conveniently online.
Don’ts
One thing that I have found is that you should not rely on only one store. This is because if you get the best quality wholesale beads from one seller, it is not necessary that the same seller will have the best quality wholesale jewelry findings or wires or tools. You must know where you can get the best materials for your jewelry making needs and that too at the best prices.
When you have a local wholesaler where you can get quality materials, don’t consider shopping online. There are risks attached when you shop online. Unless the online vendor has a very good reputation, you must not take a risk. Photos of materials can be deceptive and the descriptions can be vague. The seller may also not offer a good returns or exchange policy. In this case, you will be left with poor quality supplies that will be of little use to you.
There are some businesses which offer mail-order delivery. But, if you have to buy wholesale gemstones or semi-precious stones for your creations, you must not use these services. You must always inspect these stones in person before buying.