I wasn't arguing about the desirability of Stuller. I love Stuller.
/QUOTE]
I didn't think that you were, Blaire. Sorry if I gave you that impression. I'm a bit of an information geek and tend, at times, to blather on undetered by my own ignorance. I've always worked for one or another jewelry store/manufacturer (small, custom) so it's just been easier for me to order through them and so wasn't aware of Stuller's vetting process. I do have a Rio account but have always been a bit miffed with their policy in the past. I wasn't aware of their asking for resale license copies now either. Glad to hear it. They've been trying very hard to place themselves dead center in the jewelry manufacturing equipment and supplies segment of the industry for years now so it comes as no great surprise.
When it comes to the arcane and uncommon, most of the larger companies just aren't set up to deal with such things and when they do they usually job such stuff out to a subcontractor who also has to make a profit in the items. If you can find the right goldsmith you can cut out the middle-man and often buy at a good price for things that are very unique.
Mervione: The suppliers qualify their customers as re-sellers because the manufacturers and retailers they sell to tend to take it very badly if the suppliers are selling to the public and undercutting their price. They tend to consider it an unfair trade practice. Frankly, retail sales, especially if it's through brick and mortar operations is very expensive and hard work as well and most jewelry retailers earn every penny they make. If one sells wholesale then one chooses to sell at a lower price to retailers in exchange for forgoing the expense and hassle of retailing. It's fair. To get a resale number you must apply to your local Department of Licensing for a resale license and they will issue you your number.
Marc
http://www.flyrodjewelry.com/home.html
