[Jewelry making - Article 00291] - Re: [Orchid] BlueNile Vs. "wholesale"

[H. D. (Del) Pearson]

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>     As a watchmaker, as well as a bench jeweler, Walmart has created
>     alot of business for my shop. 

    I must echo what Ed wrote.  I also have received lots of work because
    of Wal-Mart.  Even though my store is 7 miles (out in the country)
    from Wal-Mart, I continually get customers who are sent by Wal-Mart
    for jewelry repairs and watch batteries.  I periodically give the
    Wal-Mart jewelry department a stack of my cards and they are only too
    happy to be able to send their customers to someone they know will do
    a quality job.  I always ask watch battery customers (all of them,
    not just those from Wal-Mart) if they would like to wait while I
    change the batteries.  Most do, and while they are waiting they not
    only get a chance to see my store and buy a few things, but they get
    to see quality, professional work being done on their own beloved
    possession.  I clean every watch back before opening it; use the
    appropriate tools to open the case; remove and test the old battery;
    test the new battery; clean and lubricate, or replace and lubricate
    the back gasket; properly close the case (with a case press if
    necessary); clean and polish the entire watch and band; and set the
    correct time (and day/date if present).  The customer can watch this
    because I do watch repairs at a table right in the showroom.
    Naturally, I do jewelry repair in a separate studio, but my
    customers can see my dedication and professionalism as I work on
    watches.  They can extend that to realizing that I must be just as
    dedicated and professional in the jewelry repair process which they
    do not see. 

    Now, with all that said, I must agree with the majority of
    responders on this forum:  Wal-Mart spells death for the local
    community.  I happen to be fortunate in that I offer services that
    Wal-Mart can't.  That is good for me, but the overall impact of big
    boxes is catastrophic.  As I have mentioned before, I operate a
    Christian general store--selling almost everything but groceries and
    gasoline--and Wal-Mart cuts deeply into my sales of books, Bibles,
    music, gifts, etc.  I have sadly witnessed the demise of many small
    businesses in our community.  Although our community in the
    demographic sense is growing, our community in togetherness sense is
    dying. 

    Del Pearson of Designs of Eagle Creek in Beautiful South Texas,
    where the countryside is still covered with wildflowers in spite of
    the big boxes.

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