[Jewelry making - Article 00345] - Re: [Orchid] [Rant] Zyzyx gallery

[Amery_Carrie]

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Kevin,

    I don't know if I agree with your statement. 

>     When you broached the topic of technique you crossed the line
>     between customer and something else. 

    I managed a retail jewelry store and we would have never had such an
    attitude with a customer. Actually, all the staff including the
    owner create the jewelry in the store, and we've had obvious
    designers coming in looking for inspiration? ideas? gifts of other
    styles that they don't create? You just don't know. And I've
    personally felt designers looking at my line with the "I really want
    to make that" eye. But, I would never imagine saying "are you going
    to copy me?" However, I have said, "all the designs in our store are
    copyrighted, so if you're a designer, it's a good idea to look into
    copyright laws to protect yourself." It's a little hint that I've
    only used twice in all of five years and that was because they were
    totally inspecting the construction of a piece and one person even
    asked how much the castings cost me and who my caster was! To me, the
    question about the cost of my materials was not only a red flag, but
    that was crossing a line. And, I think the people who are looking to
    get ideas are much more sly about what they're doing. 

    Just because someone is knowledgeable about technique, construction,
    and materials doesn't mean they aren't a potential buyer. They could
    be a hobbiest who has read books on the subject, or someone who is
    an ex-jeweler, or who's best friend is a jeweler. You would be
    surprised at how much my husband knows about jewelry, and he's never
    made a thing in his life. But he takes an interest in jewelry and
    enjoys learning about the different processes. When we look at
    jewelry together in a store he likes to ask lots of questions because
    it fascinates him. That doesn't mean he (or me) is going to copy
    those designs. 

    In fact, sometimes I will go into a gallery/store and check out the
    jewelry to see if mine is a good fit before I approach anyone and
    waste the buyer's time or my time with a conversation about whether
    or not they would like to carry my line. 

    In Elizabeth's case, her and her husband were potential customers.
    They were in fact intending on purchasing a piece from the gallery
    and that intention was stated to the sales person. Just because she's
    a designer/jeweler, doesn't mean she doesn't warrant the same respect
    and attention that any other person would. I believe that Elizabeth
    has every right to be annoyed at the gallery for her mistreatment. It
    was not only unprofessional, but it was insulting. 

    Don't mean to start an on-line argument, but after years of treating
    customers with kindness and respect and enforcing that amongst my
    staff it really gets my goat when I experience or hear about poor
    customer service. 

-amery



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