Re: Glass Source

If you have been doing glass for a number of years, licensed and sales tax registered as you say you are, this question just totally confuses me? How could you be doing business to that extent and not "already" have such wholesale contacts?

Maybe I'm missing something in your question?

>

Old to glass, new to business....I don't see the contradiction at all. I've been doing glass for about a decade, but only stuff for myself, family and friends and a VERY occasional commission. If I were to start a serious studio, I would get my license and tax number, THEN I would start looking for wholesale outlets because I know that's what's required by most manufacturers and wholesalers so as not to step on the toes of their retailers.

Bryan "just some thoughts" Paschke

Has anybody ever figured out whatinhell that "officially sanctioned" means? Sanctioned by who? Do do what? Or, for doing what?

But then if you were near Toronto you probably

I think it has something to do with a boxing match. Two people can beat hell out of one another without getting arrested. Perhaps one of them has a glass jaw.

Bryan, you hit the nail on the head. I have done glass since 1990 (while in military). Did a lot of things for retirements, going-aways, family, etc, but had to buy supplies at local shops (and I know we need to support them as they are in business also for the hobbyist and they provide excellent classes/etc). Now retired from military (2002) and am looking to start doing it on a larger scale and don't want to continue paying retail prices.

So---looking for wholesale sources. I'm in Oklahoma, but am willing to pay shipping on orders large enough to fill up my glass shelves and supply cabinet. I know about Delphi and Warner-Crivallero, but wonder if there are wholesalers that provide better prices on larger amounts of glass and supplies.

Thanks.

Talk to your local distributor. They will probably sell at different levels of wholesale rates depending on your annual volume. I have found this to my advantage here in Salt Lake and helps ensure we have a local shop to go to. There are times I just have to buy "off the shelf". In those cases, a large discount applies. If I am fortunate enough in the future that my savings will be substantial I may have to by direct. Working out of my house, it wouldn't be practical to have a fork truck or pallet jack and have to be here for deliveries. My local supplier performs a valuable service at a reasonable price. As a newbie, I also enjoy the face to face contact with other glass artists.

If your volume is high enough try D&L in Boulder CO.

I live in CO and started dealing with a wholesaler early last year when I moved my business from part time to full time. The local stained glass stores were nice enough to share the name and phone number of the wholesaler suppliers in the area. I have been dealing with Artisan's 1-800-525-9008 (CO, US, Canada) or local 303-777-5177. Be nice to them and they will be nice back. I've been told by others (over a year ago) that there have been a few issues with personalities (and their staff appears to roll-over every year or so.) I like working with Artisan's.

D&L in Boulder, CO is the second local supplier. I have heard they are very nice to deal with. Their criteria for opening an account is more strict than Artisan's and requires a greater initial purchase. The details are on their web site. I hope to open an account with them in the near future as they stock a few items that Artisan's doesn't (ie. colored jewels).

require/offer:

- a substantial initial purchase (Artisan's is $750)

- purchase in full sheets only

- discounted pricing for large quantity purchases

- minimum annual purchases to maintain your account as active (note: Artisan's keeps your account active as long as you make regular purchases. I am in there at least every 2 months or so)

I have found the prices to be much lower, so the full sheet price vs. the retail store price makes the extra usually worth it, unless I need a very small amount. You might also ask about business discounts at your local retail store. I know of one in the Denver metro area that discounts glass only (no tools), but the wholesale price is still much cheaper.

You will probably also need a sales tax license, also known as a resale license. If you sale only to other businesses, ie. galleries, then you might be able to avoid this, but Artisan's did want the sales tax license. In CO you can indicate that you are a wholesaler so the filings for sales tax are only annual.

Good luck, GK

Central region distributors Delphi Stained Glass

3380 E. Jolly Lansing, MI 48910 517/394-4631 800/248-2048 517/394-5364(Fax) e-mail Ed Hoy's International 27625 Diehl Road Warrenville, IL 60555 630/836-1353 800/323-5668 630/836-1362 (Fax) e-mail Hollander Glass Central 1505 Centre Circle Downers Grove, IL 60515 630/629-7221 800/323-4293 630/629-7325 (Fax) Hollander Glass Texas 4600 S. Pinemont Dr. Houston, TX 77041 713/460-0045 800/421-0449 713/462-3646 (Fax) e-mail Houston Glass Craft Supply 2002 Brittmore St. Houston, TX 77043 713/690-8844 800/231-0148 713/690-0009 (Fax) e-mail

Thanks for all the replies. I'll contact each of them and get the pricing on the glass and chemicals. Still have my tools.

John