L. P. Skeen on fri 23 feb 01
Who's got the best prices for electric kiln elements? I have a Paragon =
A99b.
L. P. Skeen www.living-tree.net
Living Tree Pottery & Handmade Soaps
Summerfield, NC
"I have to take my paycheck to the bank; it's too little to go there by =
itself."
Cindy Strnad on sat 24 feb 01
Lisa,
I've been very pleased with Euclid's. Check their ad in any Ceramics Monthly
or Clay Times.
Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
USA
earthenv@gwtc.net
http://www.earthenvesselssd.com
John Hesselberth on sat 24 feb 01
Cindy Strnad wrote:
>I've been very pleased with Euclid's. Check their ad in any Ceramics Monthly
>or Clay Times.
I had an unusual experience when I tried to buy elements from Euclid's a
couple months ago. I wonder if anyone elso has encountered it. When it
got time to acutally place the order during my phone conversation with
them they wanted 1. name and address -- seemed reasonable 2. credit card
info -- seemed reasonable 3. social security number -- say what???? I
have never in my life been asked for a SSN in order to buy something.
They said it was required by customs (they are a Canadian firm and I am
in the U.S.) -- I don't think so. I have ordered lots of things from
Canada over the years and NEVER been asked for a social security number.
Since getting your SSN is an important step on the way to identity theft,
I declined. They declined to accept my order. Strangest conversation
I've ever had when I tried to buy something. Anyone else encounter this?
If so did you really give them your SSN.
Anyhow I bought my elements in the U.S. for almost exactly the same price
so I didn't find their price anything to get excited about.
Regards, John
"The life so short, the craft so long to learn." Hippocrates, 5th cent.
B.C.
L. P. Skeen on sat 24 feb 01
Thanks Cindy. Everyone who has responded so far (via email offlist and you
onlist) has recommended Euclids. Hope they're online....
L
> I've been very pleased with Euclid's. Check their ad in any Ceramics
Monthly
> or Clay Times.
>
> Cindy Strnad
> Earthen Vessels Pottery
> RR 1, Box 51
> Custer, SD 57730
> USA
> earthenv@gwtc.net
> http://www.earthenvesselssd.com
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
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>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>
David Cowdrill on sat 24 feb 01
For my Skutt 1027 I have purchased elements from Skutt and Euclid. I found
the following:
- Skutt's elements are formed into segments matching the kiln walls and
allowing easier installation; Euclid's are a long coil.
- Skutt provided compression connectors; Euclid's are screw-type.
- Skutt provides pins; Euclid did not.
- Skutt elements have bend made for pigtail; Euclid's did not.
In summary I prefer the Skutt elements.
(I have no interest with or connection to Skutt.)
David Cowdrill in Great Falls, Virginia
Don Goodrich on sun 25 feb 01
Just to be contrary...
I've always bought my elements from Duralite, and had quite good service
from them. They keep files of the specs for elements for a geat many kilns,
and can make elements to your own specs if your'e designing your own. They
can wind elements from a variety of materials (I use Kanthal A1), and have
offered to pre-stretch them to the correct length to fit my kiln's channels
so I wouldn't have to do it myself. Very likely they'd pre-bend 'em too,
although this isn't a service I've ever required. There's always a coil of
extra wire included in case one needs to make pins or staples. The connectors
supplied have been the crimp type, but I normally buy the screw type at the
hardware store. Fast, friendly service. I normally get what I order within
the week. They're on the web at:
http://www.duralite.com/index.html
which gives a toll-free number you can call. The regular phone # is:
203-379-3113.
Don Goodrich
goodrichdn@aol.com
Euclid's Kilns & Elements on tue 27 feb 01
----- Original Message -----
From: John Hesselberth
To:
Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2001 3:02 PM
Subject: Re: Elements - where to buy?
John,
I am writing to explain why we, at Euclid's, are obliged to ask for your
Social Security number.
We know that, when we ask for a Social Security number, we are asking for
information that is considered personal. Having no wish to alienate
prospective customers, it is with some apprehension that we make the request
at all.
As an exporter into the U.S., however, we are required by The U.S. Customs
Service to provided them with either the recipient's federal IRS number
(companies) or Social Security number (individuals) in order to clear
shipments. The foreign exporter must provide this number on the paperwork
presented for U.S. Customs clearance as a requirement under Title 19, Code
of Federal RegulationsChapter 1, Section 142.3. Failure to provide this
number results in shipments being delayed until the number is provided.
U.S. Customs is responsible for ensuring that shipments brought into the
U.S. are in compliance with U.S. laws and regulations. It is also
responsible for maintaining statistics on what is being imported into the
U.S. and by whom. These numbers are the means by which Customs tracks
shipments into the U.S. for statistical reporting purposes. It also aids
individual states with collecting the appropriate sales tax, when
applicable.
We regret the need to request Social Security numbers, but we trust that it
is now clear why we have to ask.
Jon Walls
Euclids Elements
1-800-296-5456
mail@euclids.com
www.euclids.com
> I had an unusual experience when I tried to buy elements from Euclid's a
> couple months ago. I wonder if anyone elso has encountered it. When it
> got time to acutally place the order during my phone conversation with
> them they wanted 1. name and address -- seemed reasonable 2. credit card
> info -- seemed reasonable 3. social security number -- say what???? I
> have never in my life been asked for a SSN in order to buy something.
> They said it was required by customs (they are a Canadian firm and I am
> in the U.S.) -- I don't think so. I have ordered lots of things from
> Canada over the years and NEVER been asked for a social security number.
>
> Since getting your SSN is an important step on the way to identity theft,
> I declined. They declined to accept my order. Strangest conversation
> I've ever had when I tried to buy something. Anyone else encounter this?
> If so did you really give them your SSN.
>
> Anyhow I bought my elements in the U.S. for almost exactly the same price
> so I didn't find their price anything to get excited about.
>
> Regards, John
>
> "The life so short, the craft so long to learn." Hippocrates, 5th cent.
> B.C.
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>
Dewitt on tue 27 feb 01
At 17:05 2/27/01 -0500, you wrote:
>As an exporter into the U.S., however, we are required by The U.S. Customs
>Service to provided them with either the recipient's federal IRS number
>(companies) or Social Security number (individuals) in order to clear
>shipments.
I recently purchased an antique teapot from a vendor in Canada and was not
required to provide a Social Security number. It arrive with an attached
customs declaration. It is possible that this is a requirement that is
not actually enforced?
deg
Jeremy/Bonnie Hellman on wed 28 feb 01
John,
There's a one page IRS form (SS4) that you can download from the IRS web
site. Send it in. No fee, no cost. There's a block where you can tell the
IRS that you don't plan to have any employees, so you don't start receiving
payroll tax forms to fill out.
I'd be happy to help you complete this form if you want. It takes me less
than 5 minutes, but I've done quite a few of these forms previously.
As I mentioned to you, I recommend getting an employer identification number
(EIN) BECAUSE you use this number INSTEAD of your social security number,
any time the the 9 digit number is required.
If your business uses a fictitious name (instead of some variation of your
own name) and you use an EIN you somehow "look" like a bigger/more serious
business. Not that you ARE. But to some people, you will look this way.
Bonnie
Bonnie Hellman, CPA in PA & CO
> From: John Hesselberth
> Reply-To: Ceramic Arts Discussion List
> Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2001 08:41:55 -0500
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: Re: Elements - where to buy?
>
> Euclid's Kilns & Elements wrote:
>
>> I am writing to explain why we, at Euclid's, are obliged to ask for your
>> Social Security number.
>>
>> We know that, when we ask for a Social Security number, we are asking for
>> information that is considered personal. Having no wish to alienate
>> prospective customers, it is with some apprehension that we make the request
>> at all.
>>
>> As an exporter into the U.S., however, we are required by The U.S. Customs
>> Service to provided them with either the recipient's federal IRS number
>> (companies) or Social Security number (individuals) in order to clear
>> shipments. The foreign exporter must provide this number on the paperwork
>> presented for U.S. Customs clearance as a requirement under Title 19, Code
>> of Federal RegulationsChapter 1, Section 142.3. Failure to provide this
>> number results in shipments being delayed until the number is provided.
>
> Hi Jon,
>
> Thanks for your explanation. I'm going to write my congressman and ask
> him if this is really the case and why--give him something useful to do
> for a change. One thing good about U.S. House of Representative members
> is that they have staffs that seem to enjoy poking at this kind of thing
> (senators, on the other hand absolutely ignore inquiries of this type).
> I would ask any other Clayart member who is troubled by this policy to
> ask your representative about it also. I'll let you know if I learn
> anything.
>
> In the meantime, though, sorry but I won't be doing business with Euclids
> or anyone else who asks me for my SSN. It was suggested to me by Bonnie
> Hellman that I consider getting an EIN (employers identification number)
> as that will satisfy the apparent requirement and doesn't have the same
> concerns with identity theft as does the SSN. If I can do this with a
> minimum of red tape I'll consider it.
>
> John
>
> "The life so short, the craft so long to learn." Hippocrates, 5th cent.
> B.C.
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
Fabienne Micheline Cassman on wed 28 feb 01
At 08:54 AM 02/28/2001 -0700, you wrote:
>I think that in the beginning we provided our EIN number to them. No big
>deal. I don't see what all the bruhahah is about.
From reading this thread I would say it will depend from person to person,
personally I will only deal with people who don't ask for them. It's
another issue of taste and color; you can either respect it or not and move on.
Euclid is not the only element store on the planet. Others are available
with great knowledge and competitive prices such as Duralite with whom I
chose to deal with because they don't ask for it among other
things. However, the information attached to an EIN are not the same as
that of a SSN, entity vs person.
Fabienne
--
Milky Way Ceramics http://www.milkywayceramics.com/
Yes, I have learned from my mistakes...
I can reproduce them exactly.
John Hesselberth on wed 28 feb 01
Euclid's Kilns & Elements wrote:
>I am writing to explain why we, at Euclid's, are obliged to ask for your
>Social Security number.
>
>We know that, when we ask for a Social Security number, we are asking for
>information that is considered personal. Having no wish to alienate
>prospective customers, it is with some apprehension that we make the request
>at all.
>
>As an exporter into the U.S., however, we are required by The U.S. Customs
>Service to provided them with either the recipient's federal IRS number
>(companies) or Social Security number (individuals) in order to clear
>shipments. The foreign exporter must provide this number on the paperwork
>presented for U.S. Customs clearance as a requirement under Title 19, Code
>of Federal RegulationsChapter 1, Section 142.3. Failure to provide this
>number results in shipments being delayed until the number is provided.
Hi Jon,
Thanks for your explanation. I'm going to write my congressman and ask
him if this is really the case and why--give him something useful to do
for a change. One thing good about U.S. House of Representative members
is that they have staffs that seem to enjoy poking at this kind of thing
(senators, on the other hand absolutely ignore inquiries of this type).
I would ask any other Clayart member who is troubled by this policy to
ask your representative about it also. I'll let you know if I learn
anything.
In the meantime, though, sorry but I won't be doing business with Euclids
or anyone else who asks me for my SSN. It was suggested to me by Bonnie
Hellman that I consider getting an EIN (employers identification number)
as that will satisfy the apparent requirement and doesn't have the same
concerns with identity theft as does the SSN. If I can do this with a
minimum of red tape I'll consider it.
John
"The life so short, the craft so long to learn." Hippocrates, 5th cent.
B.C.
Jonathan Kaplan on wed 28 feb 01
We have done business with Euclid's for years.
They are professional, completely knowledgeable, and have provided us with
extremely high quality after-market elements at a reasonable cost.
I think that in the beginning we provided our EIN number to them. No big
deal. I don't see what all the bruhahah is about.
All of our electric kilns use Euclid's elements. These are heavy duty hgiher
rated elements. We just increased the breaker size, and made sure that the
wiring to each kiln was rated enough to carry the increased load. On some
kilns, we added an additional P and B relay to break up the second section
into 2 separate zones. Our kilns fire faster, more consistently and with far
fewer element replacements.
Jonathan
--
Jonathan Kaplan
Ceramic Design Group
PO Box 775112
Steamboat Springs CO 80477
jdkaplan@cmn.net
Plant Location (use for all UPS, Common Carrier, and Courier deliveries)
1280 13th Street
Steamboat Springs CO 80487
Lili Krakowski on fri 2 mar 01
On Tue, 27 Feb 2001, Euclid's Kilns & Elements wrote:
May I ask: if I were to send you a letter with an order and check and
included my Social Security # would that do?
You are a responsible and respected dealer; I would have no hesitation to
entrust you with a number I confide to indifferent and unknown hospital
personel, insurance companies, and diverse financial "intritutions." I'd
never give my number put by phone or e-mail...
RSVP: although all my elements are fine right nmow.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: John Hesselberth
> To:
> Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2001 3:02 PM
> Subject: Re: Elements - where to buy?
>
> John,
>
> I am writing to explain why we, at Euclid's, are obliged to ask for your
> Social Security number.
>
> We know that, when we ask for a Social Security number, we are asking for
> information that is considered personal. Having no wish to alienate
> prospective customers, it is with some apprehension that we make the request
> at all.
>
> As an exporter into the U.S., however, we are required by The U.S. Customs
> Service to provided them with either the recipient's federal IRS number
> (companies) or Social Security number (individuals) in order to clear
> shipments. The foreign exporter must provide this number on the paperwork
> presented for U.S. Customs clearance as a requirement under Title 19, Code
> of Federal RegulationsChapter 1, Section 142.3. Failure to provide this
> number results in shipments being delayed until the number is provided.
>
> U.S. Customs is responsible for ensuring that shipments brought into the
> U.S. are in compliance with U.S. laws and regulations. It is also
> responsible for maintaining statistics on what is being imported into the
> U.S. and by whom. These numbers are the means by which Customs tracks
> shipments into the U.S. for statistical reporting purposes. It also aids
> individual states with collecting the appropriate sales tax, when
> applicable.
>
> We regret the need to request Social Security numbers, but we trust that it
> is now clear why we have to ask.
>
> Jon Walls
>
> Euclids Elements
> 1-800-296-5456
> mail@euclids.com
> www.euclids.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > I had an unusual experience when I tried to buy elements from Euclid's a
> > couple months ago. I wonder if anyone elso has encountered it. When it
> > got time to acutally place the order during my phone conversation with
> > them they wanted 1. name and address -- seemed reasonable 2. credit card
> > info -- seemed reasonable 3. social security number -- say what???? I
> > have never in my life been asked for a SSN in order to buy something.
> > They said it was required by customs (they are a Canadian firm and I am
> > in the U.S.) -- I don't think so. I have ordered lots of things from
> > Canada over the years and NEVER been asked for a social security number.
> >
> > Since getting your SSN is an important step on the way to identity theft,
> > I declined. They declined to accept my order. Strangest conversation
> > I've ever had when I tried to buy something. Anyone else encounter this?
> > If so did you really give them your SSN.
> >
> > Anyhow I bought my elements in the U.S. for almost exactly the same price
> > so I didn't find their price anything to get excited about.
> >
> > Regards, John
> >
> > "The life so short, the craft so long to learn." Hippocrates, 5th cent.
> > B.C.
> >
> >
> ____________________________________________________________________________
> __
> > Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
> >
> > You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> > settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
> >
> > Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
> >
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
>
Lili Krakowski
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