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Dear Jerry,
We shipped over 3,100 packages to 1,700 customers
this year. That's pretty good for two people working
from home, although this year we did add two part time
employees.
This is the time of year where we either look back on
the last 12 months or dust off our crystal ball and try
to guess what is in store for the next year.
Alphabet Beads
We sold a boatload of alphabet beads last year; it is
amazing that we have not gone blind trying to sort the
good letter beads from the bad.
I have started seeing these name bracelets in some of
the mail order catalogs. So I'm guessing with that fad
going mainstream, we'll sell less of those of the coming
years.
Find out more....
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Shipping |
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We shipped a lot of orders last last year. I think
that the post office lost one package. We did have one
burst open, but we got the beads back. The biggest
problem we have with the post office is in the
last few weeks before Christmas. We are looking at
UPS, not because I think that they are better, but
because they have better tracking.
The problem that I see with UPS is Saturday delivery,
cost and the fact that in some remote locations they
do no run everyday.
Last year we started carrying glass beads. We found
that our shipping/packaging was not really the best for
sending out kilos of beads. We will be revisiting our
packaging methods this year.
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New Products - |
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We added over 1,100 new products this year to the
website. In the coming year I hope to add that many
again.
We just got back from a show. I hope to have all of the
new items on the website by the time this letter
goes out.
In time for Valentine's Day. We have the Swarovski
Heart Pendants (6202) on order. They should be in
early next week. I've ordered them in all of the
Birthstone colors.
New Since Last Newsletter.. »
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Prices |
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Except for a few items, we have set our prices as a
straight markup from cost. The less we pay the less
you pay. As we have grown we get better prices,
sometimes we get items at a very good price. Other
times the price of an item may be more, especially in
silver and gold.
When we change prices, it seems that people only
notice when items go up, never when they go down.
Watch for our new icon that shows item that have had
a price reduction in the last 60 days. We also show
you the old price. Sometimes you save just pennies,
sometimes a lot more.
And *No* if an item is now marked down, we will not
retroactively give you a price break.
To See the Price Cuts.. »
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Help |
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I have done a good job or organizing the Gemstones
and Swarovski. I have some ideas for doing the same
things with the Pearls, Charms and Machine made
silver.
I have trouble with the Hand Made Silver. I cannot
seem to find a good method for organizing the bali-style
silver. I have looked at the way that different people
do this but I have not found any that I like.
Currently I have them broken down by:
- Bead Caps and Spacers
- Beads w/ Stones
- Clasps
- Earrings
- Hanging Beads
- Marcasite
- Small Beads - Under 10mm
- Large Beads - Over 10mm
- Toggle Clasp
- Tubes and Sliders
Does anybody have any ideas? Please email me
jerry.smith@jsbeads.com
To See the Silver »
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The Specials for January |
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The most common Birthstone for January is Garnet.
All products that have Garnet in the name are 5% off
for this month.
Find Out More.. »
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Coupon Code - JAN2003 |
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The coupon code for January, which is good for 5%
off on all purchases is
JAN2003
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