TONICLAYS@AOL.COM on sun 15 jul 01
Wish I had the answer for Tom Wirts and the rest of us. Our group here in
Northeast Ohio meets once a month to share info and discuss just this sort of
problem and look for solutions. We haven't found a solution to the
supplier problem yet. Many of us end up dealing with different suppliers for
different needs. It would be so nice to go once a month and load up the
truck and get it all at one place, but it doesn't seem to work like that. Or
you also end up paying freight for out of state suppliers and it shouldn't
have to be like that either.
Without naming suppliers, two friends and I
were basically told to our faces that our order one day for 1000 pounds of
clay and numerous raw materials was "nothing' because they deal with a famous
dinnerware manufacturer, in other words, the BIG GUYS. So what recourse do
we have? Take your business elsewhere? They don't seem to care.
In just the last year I was told by one "chemist" that he didn't know
anything about the strontium/barium substitution,; another company told me
that the only way their powdered glaze could have blistered on my stoneware
was because my studio was dirty (not); another never heard of volcanic ash in
a glaze, etc. First of all they need to log on to Clayart and learn a few
things. But secondly, I would like to be treated like we treat our own
customers---with respect, giving honest answers or if we don't know, we find
out. That is good business. What happened to Tom recently happened to
Sandy Miller with her raku clay. Don't think she ever got a good answer from
the supplier, or even an apology. Besides apologies don't pay the bills.
Toni Smith in Ohio
GORMO1@AOL.COM on sun 15 jul 01
you know what thet say"i rather make a $100 from 100 people one dollar
at a time than $100 from just one person!
jim
In a message dated 7/15/01 11:45:14 AM, TONICLAYS@AOL.COM writes:
<< Without naming suppliers, two friends and I
were basically told to our faces that our order one day for 1000 pounds of
clay and numerous raw materials was "nothing' because they deal with a famous
dinnerware manufacturer, in other words, the BIG GUYS. So what recourse do
we have? Take your business elsewhere? They don't seem to care. >>
Cl Litman on sun 15 jul 01
Re mel's question about clay suppliers and recipes:
I can't imagine a rush of potters making their own clay just because a
supplier published their recipe. Most of those who prefer to buy, aren't
going to start making just because a recipe is handy. Plenty of recipes
handy now. For instance I don't have the facility to deal with dust on
that scale.
Cheryl Litman - NJ
LitmanC@aol.com
cheryllitman@juno.com
Valerie Hawkins on mon 16 jul 01
What comes around goes around. The 'Big Guys' have no loyalty and there is
always someone angling for their account - willing to do it cheaper, better
and faster. By ignoring his smaller customers, your supplier is quite
possibly digging his own hole.
-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
Behalf Of GORMO1@AOL.COM
Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2001 3:07 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Re: Clay supplier problem
you know what thet say"i rather make a $100 from 100 people one dollar
at a time than $100 from just one person!
jim
In a message dated 7/15/01 11:45:14 AM, TONICLAYS@AOL.COM writes:
<< Without naming suppliers, two friends and I
were basically told to our faces that our order one day for 1000 pounds of
clay and numerous raw materials was "nothing' because they deal with a
famous
dinnerware manufacturer, in other words, the BIG GUYS. So what recourse do
we have? Take your business elsewhere? They don't seem to care. >>
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Bob Dye on tue 17 jul 01
The is another aspect that the Big Guys seem to be ignoring, the =
advertising opportunity to say that professional artists are using their =
product. We are producing art that will show up in art fairs, and has =
the potential to end up in museums. Bob Dye
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