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Dennis
13-07-2012, 05:49 AM
The super Moderator,
Cookson Gold Jewellery Making Forum. 13th July 2012


Sir,

I have just received the Cookson bead Book, nigh-on one hundred pages of non precious beads, base metal findings and inexpensive tools (who buys this stuff?).
Is it just a sign of our reduced financial circumstances, or are they hoping to tap into a whole new market?
I am reluctant to bin this expensively produce catalogue. Anyone out there want it?

Yours bewildered D. London.

caroleallen
13-07-2012, 08:02 AM
I think there's a big market for these things Dennis. Craft fairs are full of people selling cheap tat and also full of people buying it.

lopez
13-07-2012, 04:47 PM
caroleallen, we don't sell cheap tate in Cornwall, we just market it differently!

Julian
13-07-2012, 07:16 PM
[QUOTE=lopez;49193]caroleallen, we don't sell cheap tate in Cornwall, we just market it differently![/QUOTE

Volume counts, but magots are not solotry

It's difficult to set standards when volume is falling!

I sympathize with cookies marketing, but I fear they are selling the family jewels to get their bonuses

Let's hope we can get through this

J

lilia
14-07-2012, 11:56 AM
The super Moderator,
Cookson Gold Jewellery Making Forum. 13th July 2012


Sir,

I have just received the Cookson bead Book, nigh-on one hundred pages of non precious beads, base metal findings and inexpensive tools (who buys this stuff?).
Is it just a sign of our reduced financial circumstances, or are they hoping to tap into a whole new market?
I am reluctant to bin this expensively produce catalogue. Anyone out there want it?

Yours bewildered D. London.

That made me smile, Dennis. I received their new beads catalogue and was very surprised that they produced such an expensive catalogue for such cheap items. I think Cookson is trying out new markets, I just wish they didn't go into all of this base metal and glass beads junk.

They could have spent their research and money into better quality tools and may be some tutorial videos.

mizgeorge
14-07-2012, 12:44 PM
Spot on Lilia,
There are literally hundreds of shops, both bricks and mortar and online, selling cheap and nasty glass beads, base metal findings and stringing materials - and they're all pretty much the same, and all mass produced in China.

There is NO shop in the UK selling anything approaching the range of tools our American and European counterparts can buy, and with the ridiculously low import threshold now, combined with astronomical postage costs, we're happy to pay a bit of a premium for them. Or give us some interesting materials to play with - stainless steel rather than plated base metals, a range of jeweller's brasses or some high quality leather or silicone rather than horrid fake suede and plated crimps that fall apart at the first touch.

If it's any help, the catalogue paper's glossy enough to use for mixing epoxy on, and tough enough for lining cat litter trays.....

Wallace
14-07-2012, 02:10 PM
If it's any help, the catalogue paper's...........tough enough for lining cat litter trays..... had to put the kitty tray back in since we have had all of the rain.......thanks for the heads up George xx

Julian
14-07-2012, 03:56 PM
and tough enough for lining cat litter trays.....

Ouch! Truth always hurts. Love it

The truth is we joined cookies as precious metal artisan jewelers, my fear is they are down grading. I noticed for example they no longer do gold bars! Or maybe it's out of stock ?

J

Kwant
14-07-2012, 04:11 PM
It is not only the truth that hurts, and though shiny paper has many uses there are some traditional uses for paper that shiny just does not do.


unless of course you are attempting the impossible and trying to polish the proverbial..............................

Tabby66
14-07-2012, 09:03 PM
There is NO shop in the UK selling anything approaching the range of tools our American and European counterparts can buy, and with the ridiculously low import threshold now, combined with astronomical postage costs, we're happy to pay a bit of a premium for them.

Absolutely George!!!!

Di Sandland
14-07-2012, 09:25 PM
It's a case of trying to appeal to the masses rather than concentrate on your niche market. In this instance, the niche market is huge. By trying to appeal to the masses, Cooksons are diluting their product range, not enhancing it. They might gain a few people to buy the sparklies and the plated but there are lots of companies already selling to them and, therefore, customer loyalty is not a given. In the precious metal market in this country choice is limited and once a customer is won s/he is likely to remain loyal. Dilute the product range too much, introduce too much tat, and Cooksons will lose their current customer base.

If they really want to strike out and enhance their product range in a way that will bring in more customers and more pennies they should take a look at Rio Grande (http://www.riogrande.com/). The first company to bring that breadth of choice to the serious jewellery market over here will make a fortune!

caroleallen
15-07-2012, 06:59 AM
I agree Di. Suttons are being much more imaginative with their products than Cooksons. I wonder whether that's Andrew Berry's influence?

Dennis
15-07-2012, 02:59 PM
I think they have always had something new up their sleeves, Carole and brought in specialists to demonstrate it at exhibitions. Think Bench mate System, Engraving systems, Delft Clay Casting, Knew Concept Saw. Andrew joined comparatively recently.

Tabby66
15-07-2012, 08:25 PM
If they really want to strike out and enhance their product range in a way that will bring in more customers and more pennies they should take a look at Rio Grande (http://www.riogrande.com/). The first company to bring that breadth of choice to the serious jewellery market over here will make a fortune!

Completely agree Di!!

LittleGem
16-07-2012, 09:13 AM
Thank you all for your comments, I'm sure you all agree that Jewellery making is a broad church and not only encompasses a wide range of products but also a wide range of interests, aptitude and skill. We wish to reflect all of that ethos.

Our Beads offering is an addition to our range and does not compromise our legacy jewellery products. We have introduced these products due to demand for mixed materials within the market, cheaper alternatives to high precious metal costs and customers have voiced their new desire for alternative non-precious products.

As I'm sure you are all aware hallmarking statistics are showing serious decreases year on year and whilst we are not pulling back from this market we wish to offer our customers alternative products. Not only have we recently introduced the Bead range, we will also be launching new tools shortly. We will soon be stocking products such as the photo light box, a range of watchmaking essentials, more swage blocks and many others.

We have introduced our Simplicity Range of settings and shanks - an easier way to match shanks and settings in a range of precious metals

We appreciate that our additional beads offering is not for everyone, we are simply broadening our range and not as seems to be suggested prioritising this alternative market. Our resourcing in terms of staff and IT support has been increased accordingly.

caroleallen
16-07-2012, 09:36 AM
What would be fantastic Jessica is if Cooksons started to import some of the fantastic goodies we see on Rio's site, such as the Bonny Doon and Swanstrom ranges.

LittleGem
16-07-2012, 09:49 AM
What would be fantastic Jessica is if Cooksons started to import some of the fantastic goodies we see on Rio's site, such as the Bonny Doon and Swanstrom ranges.

Thanks for your suggestions Carole- looks like great minds think alike as our Product Managers are currently looking into these product ranges already.

Any other suggestions would be welcomed in order for me to pass on.

Thank you

Dennis
16-07-2012, 11:28 AM
I feel that the way forward for designer/makers is not to go down market, but to offer more exceptional pieces, which justify the higher prices charged.
Here is just a small item: There are no heavy duty silver scrolls available in the UK to complement hand made earrings, although you do have them in gold.

I have from time to time made my own, which is quite time consuming. The result is that I buy them from Fischer in Germany. The double notched posts also add a little extra professionalism. Dennis.

Julian
16-07-2012, 12:36 PM
Another this Fischer's do is sell sets of busch burs, which are great for getting started.

josef1
16-07-2012, 03:33 PM
I gave the bead book to the Mrs and it kept her quiet for over an hour, I had time to drink beer and watch man stuff on TV, so for me its a winner !

t1ggerk1ns
16-07-2012, 05:38 PM
As a rank amateur when it comes to working with gold and silver, maybe I see this from a slightly different perspective. I use a lot of semi precious beads and swarovski crystal beads and am really glad that Cooksons have started selling these and other quality beads.
I am, however unlikely to buy many online, as I really need to see and feel the semiprecious ones before I buy.
BUT acrylic and lucite???????? I stopped using these years ago when I started using silver instead of cheap rubbish findings.
And I have to say when I called in to the showroom in Birmingham last week, it quite literally set my teeth on edge when they pointed out the new range of base metal findings.
If people want plastic beads and cheap tacky findings, they are not going to go to Cooksons when they can buy from overseas at a fraction of the cost.

Kwant
16-07-2012, 06:39 PM
You tigger are absolutely right,

I have only been making for two years and without Cooksons I would have been lost, and I have in the past bought beads from them (when I knew no better) finding my feet and all as the Merkins would say, but over this last two years I came to expect quality and this last lot of new releases do not say quality what they say is something else.

I am certainly not one to decry the amateur as I include myself in those hoards, but at the same time I want to know that I can rely on getting that which I now need to progress (standard chain out of stock for weeks on end, precious metal clay at ridiculous prices, yet available elsewhere at more reasonable prices, it is not good enough to say "our supplier has increased their prices" look for another supplier!, items not as described, setting strip for 3.5 stones that do not fit the stones and being out of stock so could not be checked).

Cookson in the main have been for me very encouraging and helpful, for which I am truly grateful, the sales team are lovely and always have time to deal with me the amateur........ and before anybody says it ......my "loyalty" is not misplaced as far as I am concerned, here in France the sales of bullion and findings are very restricted to those in the trade, I do not have many options I have to buy my stuff from outside of France, I do buy from other sources but I want to get that which I need in once place with no fuss and reliability.

The changes to the website alone this last while have made finding things a chore. Please don't fix that which is not broke, before rolling out a whole new heap of stuff.

Tabby66
16-07-2012, 08:37 PM
You tigger are absolutely right.

Hear!! Hear!!!!!!!

Only read that bit and had to post......now to read the rest of your erudite comments Kwant!!!!

Dennis
16-07-2012, 08:48 PM
I gave the bead book to the Mrs and it kept her quiet for over an hour, I had time to drink beer and watch man stuff on TV, so for me its a winner !

That's funny, they didn't send me any beer.

mizgeorge
16-07-2012, 09:08 PM
They didn't send me any beer either Dennis.

However, I gave mine to my husband, and he used it to line the cat litter tray....

Tabby66
16-07-2012, 09:10 PM
Well I can only echo your comments Kwant, and also add that as I move to replacing and upgrading my tools, I find Cooksons less and less competitive on both range and price. I mostly use Cookson for bullion, but do check dealer prices, never buy stones, find upgrading tools at better prices elsewhere....files, saws, pliers, ultrasonic, and broader ranges....benchmate, ultrasonic, etc,......'consumables'....saw blades (vallorbe) at better prices. I also buy very few findings through Cooksons, the latter being partly due to my extended skills in making my own, but also the poor quality of the very light findings on offer, I am sure there used to be a 'heavy weight' silver earring backs available at cookies (e.g. see eurofindings....2 mins walk in Birmingham)!

My concern is that regardless of the increased staff referred to above, the focus has shifted from the reliable, quality and high end bullion and tool dealer that I first became acquainted with about 5 years ago, with the starter packs and 'affordable tool ranges' for us beginners, to cheap tat, that as already state is available much cheaper from abroad.

Not expanding at the top end at all (certainly not competitively), but going bust for the cheaper end..... I appreciate and understand the economic climate, but as has already been said, if I'm spending my money I like to know where I'm spending it and what I'm getting for it, sadly the answer here seems to be less and less.....

C'mon Cookies.....step-up the game!!

andrew_berry
25-07-2012, 03:21 PM
Andrew joined comparatively recently.

Recently? Those 2 1/2 years that I have been associated with them have flown by haven't they? ;)

Dennis
25-07-2012, 06:57 PM
Hello Andrew,
Well I did say comparatively and yes, tempus does fugit. Dennis.