AD: Post for a Good Supplier

Jun 26, 2007 12 Replies

I'm placing this post here because a) I got it in my email and b) wanted to pass it on to you, because I have bought a LOT of stuff from these folks and really love both the price and the quality. If things are not dirt cheap, I don't want them. LOL. These folks meet my criteria:


RocknRocks Needs You June 26, 2007


Greetings!


Please bear with me as I try to communicate our situation with you all. First of all, I would like to apologize to any of you who have been irritated by our intensive marketing campaigns this year. Instead of just making you think we're greedy or pushy, I thought it was just time to be perfectly honest with all of you, those who have helped grow RocknRocks into the dynamic company that it has become.



This year, we have experienced a 45% decline in sales, as the costs of running a small business have continued to grow. We feel that there are many reasons for the drop in sales: the general slowdown in the economy, the growing demise of eBay, concerns about the war, the cost of filling up the gas tank - all factors out of our control. So far this year, we have had to lay off four good employees and cut our expenses in many areas to deal with this decline financially. So that's the reason why we have been marketing so heavily by emails and promotions, to simply pay the bills.



We are a family owned and operated business since 1973, with a steadfast commitment from this generation and the next to continue to bring you the best beads at the best prices on the net. When you choose to purchase your beads from us, you are directly impacting the present and future of all the families who depend on RocknRocks for our livelihoods. We promise to work our hardest to continue enhancing our services, to give you what you need. In that spirit, we invite any of you to share your ideas with us to bolster this ongoing effort.



In the meantime, please share

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with your friends. We know that the best form of advertising is word of mouth, so we ask you to talk it up everywhere that you can think of, everywhere beaders gather. From now through the end of July, all new customers who use the promo code JULY during their first checkout with RocknRocks will receive a 30% discount off their entire order.



If any of you would like to call on your local bead stores to introduce them to our wholesale side, we will work with you on a commission basis for those sales. Please address any such inquiries to snipped-for-privacy@rocknrocks.com to discuss details. This is another way for you to use your love for beading to supplement your income!



Bottom line is, we need your help. Your continued support by giving us the opportunity to supply your beads, your referrals to your friends and communities, and your goodwill are greatly appreciated by all of us here at RocknRocks..... more than appreciated, they are necessary for our very survival. We owe everything to you, our valued friends and customers, and we promise you that fact is always in the forefront of our minds and our hearts are filled with gratitude for all of your continued support as we weather the storms of this years unique challenges.


Sincerely,



Dede Casteel RocknRocks Owner


The Link:

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and from me -- thank you for your time! Much love, Becki



Also, you can hate me for this or forgive, whichever you choose. I have always loved "little" family owned bead businesses. Such folks supported me, and I choose to support them. Thanks for putting up with me.

Much love -- Becki

I've never heard of them and will be happy to check them out!

Becki, I've bought from them before and they give fantastic service and have wonderful products, too. :) I always love to see their "Stoned Beads" offering... LOL... imagine, beads getting "stoned". LOL

When I have a few dollars again, I'll be shopping their site.

I dunno a lot about the other customers they lost, but as for me personally? They'da kept me happily buying once in a while if they hadn't sold me some stuff that was not only overpriced, but COMPLETELY misrepresented. (fake)

Careful whatcha buy, folks.

-- m3rma1d

I love you for it, Becky. The little guys seem to be getting pushed out of the market - it's so tough being a small business these days. Kudos to you for supporting them!

Well, I got my first (and last) order today from RockNRocks. Granted I bought on clearance and took advantage of the discount code--however, the gemstone "matte" dalmation jasper 6m 15" strand is ceramic. We did the hammer test on one bead to see what was inside after broken. I REALLY have a problem w/ companies who pass off ceramics as gemstones. They were asking $8.95 for this junk at their website. And they say their business has dropped by 45%! No wonder. To look at their website in the "about us" section they appear to have a genuine store and such. This strand cost me $2.24 and I will use them at some point but will not pass them off as gemstones to my customers. So BUYER BEWARE of RockNRocks if you are buying gemstone strands! Ally

I see they haven't changed at all, buncha thieving twots! >:-( Well.... I tried to warn you*. See--->

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Sorry you didn't see it in time, or believe it if you did see it, or whatever :-p

(* "you" as in "everyone")

-- m3rma1d

Roe just brought your voice mail to my attention and I would like to respond personally to your accusations and slander. We do not take these types of issues lightly as our reputation is important in this industry. That being said, we do not cower to false accusations.

I personally select the rough stone for all of the gemstone beads that we carry. I visit our factories regularly and have a great deal of control over the quality of our gemstone beads.

The finish that you selected of "matte" means that it is finished with a process that "roughens" the texture rather than polishing it to a gemstone shine. Perhaps that is why you believe this particular dalmation jasper looks like ceramic. If you would prefer the polished gemstone look, please return the beads for an exchange to a regular polished finish.

I would strongly suggest that before you start broadcasting slander against our company, that you get your facts straight by consulting a certified gemologist so that your stance could be defended in a court of law.

RocknRocks

Seems everyone has some different experiences to share but my own, fwiw, has been 100%. Over the last couple of years I've made *many* (mostly small) purchases from them and have never been even less than satisfied. In fact several times have happily received better than expected in quality for the price paid.

So often buying online is like shooting in the dark; text and pictures may or may not honestly represent what you actually get to hold in your hands but I have found the folks at RocknRocks to be good, honest vendors and available anytime I've had questions.

NO vendor, no matter how careful can deliver 100% to everyone always. It might make sense to contact them with possible issues and allow them to make it right. Personally I have no doubts they would be happy to do so.

my $.02, fwiw.

(I also hold many good feelings for them due to their quick response after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. It was wonderful to see them not only raise money but to take in a family and help lift them back up.)

For that reason, I also support my LBS. I don't buy much from them any more, but we really need to support and respect them, or there will be no decent place for a new beader to get supplies and inspiration.

Tina (who didn't see the original posts)

Speaking of which, how have things turned out for you?

Tina

"Polly S." wrote

I have been buying stone beads and pendants for many many years now, and I know I can tell the difference. Everything I have from them is right on the money. I am also sure they have a return policy for anything you dont' like, dont' they?

I also know that when I was selling things regularly on the auction sites, I had a very well known woman tell me that the cabs I sold were "painted" when the color was obviously swirled through the cabs (they were mixed green and white, as are many from this era). So, she was just a bit uneducated in this area (I'm trying not to call her an idiot here LOLOL. She still sells on Ebay and....I am thinking...it is time to let go of this and finally forgive her for her ignorance). LOL. However, it was hard to be called names and a fraud for selling EXACTLY WHAT I SAID I WAS SELLING.

I stick by them. It's pretty hard to fake a rock. Not impossible, but hard and I can certainly tell the difference.

And to my friends at Rock and Rocks -- no one gets as far as you have in the business without getting some mud slung at them. It happens. Luckily, mud washes real well off rocks!

Becki

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