Shanu Singh Guliani

What I Learned about Contract Jeweler’s
September 11, 2007

I decided going with a contract jeweler would be the best choice for now. I wouldn’t have to pay him/her hourly, but instead per job and he/she would come in only a few times a week and finish all the jobs.

I did find a very good jeweler who works for another local chain—he works there as a contract jeweler too. What I mean by contract jeweler is that:

1. He has his own insurance.
2. I don’t dictate his hours but he didn’t say no to the hours I requested either.
3. He’s paid per piece and not by the hour so I don’t have to worry about him sitting around with nothing to do.

We sat down and started to discuss his prices and so forth. First he said he’d need some tools and I assured him I will buy the big things—ultrasonic, steamer, jeweler’s bench, polishing machine, ring stretcher, propane and oxygen tanks, etc. I was under the impression the other tools he needed he would bring from his home or invest in them himself—of course I turned out to be wrong. A couple of days ago he asked that we meet so that he may grab my Rio Grande Tools and Equipment Catalog so that he can highlight the tools he will need. Great—I figured this would help me out a lot. He returned the book to me Thursday morning with everything highlighted like he said.

I spent the last two nights creating a spreadsheet that ended up amounting to $7600.

I called my dad and told him you would think this guy is Michelangelo creating the Sistine Chapel—because of all the tools he needed.

Either I have to suck it up and buy all the tools he needs—or my husband thought, I might be able to request him to bring all his stuff from home (he has a second bench with all his tools at home) and tell him that I won’t mind for him to do anybody else’s jobs while at our store as long as ours are given priority. I’ll keep you up to date and let you know what he says.

Have you ever hired a contract jeweler? Did you have to invest in all the supplies yourself? Would you consider allowing him/her to take home jobs and bring them back to the store?

Posted by Shanu Singh Guliani on September 11, 2007 | Comments (0)