This page is all about explaining something! If you have arrived here by accident click on my directory page above

This page is all about my prices

Special Orders

My Best
You have asked if this is my best. It's a somewhat puzzling loaded question. Define 'best'. There is a best price, a best quality, a best color. There is the one that has the best story behind it. One that holds up the best when wet, one that cost the most, one that is the most odd, the most rare, the weirdest, or the one I want to get rid of the most. (Best for who, me or you?) What's the best color? What's the best size? Some want it huge, some want it dainty, some want it fat, some long, some curved, some want a special shape. 'Best' is in the eye of the beholder.
In order to get answers to all these questions we need to exchange emails and pictures which takes time. Time is money. Customer A who knows what they want and looks at one picture, hears the description and goes for it will pay less then customer B who hems and haws and wants more of my time with information and personal service. I get $60 an hour shop time. Just tell me when to stop the clock.
Ideally a customer can go to my web site and look around carefully and cut and paste a picture from my site into an email and show me what they like. I now know what 'best' means to this customer, with the least amount of my time involved, so I can give the good price. If a customer is in the envious position of making more money per hour then I do, then the customer can hire me to do all the looking and asking and searching. But in truth I am not looking to charge more money. My talents are highly sought after. I prefer spending my time doing what few can do as an expert. I can then be the most useful to the world and have the best sense of personal gratification. I also want to make sure you have something you will be happy with.

My Best

Doing business 101
"I think I'm in the wrong movie." This is where you say
"Huh?"
Well you said something about wanting special services, pictures maybe, asking me to stop what I'm doing and personally go look for something to show you that you'd like a deal on, and you might buy it and you might not.
The movie I'm in has you say:
"I realize I am asking for personal service, I'm a first time customer who you do not know, requesting your time. I understand I will not be getting any deals and will be paying more money" And then I say
"How may I help you!" Are we both in the same movie? What script do you have?
Statistics go like this:
Only 1 out of 4 of my customers who ask for something as you are, buy it. I spend half an hours per inquiry on the average, especially when pictures are involved. That's 2 hours per sale. My shop time is $65 an hour. Few customers want to absorb 2 hours of my time added to the price. It does not make good business sense for me to be busy offering free service and miss my paying customers.
If you want 'one item' Well that is like paying someone to go shopping for you and sending them to the store for one banana. I can see how in an emergency, or the rich and famous might pay $50 for one banana. I'm glad to accommodate you. But the average person will not pay the $50 for one banana and this is a bummer for the person who - well never mind. "Next!"
In the movie I'm in, the rules go like this:
I give special time and services for free to regular valued customers who become friends. It's a sellers market not a buyers market. (meaning there are more people wanting what I have then there is material available). And with my art- I'm the only one doing it and it is not being copied and probably cant be copied. So in this movie I'm the man. The line forms behind me. This is not a McDonalds movie, and we don't super size for an extra dollar- and it's not the biggest the best the cheapest the fastest, served with a smile. Because that's a con job. There's no such thing as a free lunch. In that movie Ronald cant speak English, and you have to point, and slowly count out your change. That's why he smiles all the time.
In this movie 'personal service' means dealing with a real person with a personality. Sometimes that's a pain! We have to get along to do business and all that.
Solutions!
Make sure we are in the same movie with the same script. Meaning you have about 5 seconds to capture my attention. You are one in an average of 30 emails a day I am looking at. Convince me I'm going to make money. Convince me you want a banana for $50. Or are interested in a truckload for the same $50 add on fee that covers my time. If you want the best low price- tell me where the savings comes from. My cheapest materials? Less personal service? Less of my time? Less quality in workmanship? Damaged items on sale? Designs that are not selling well? Buying in larger amounts for better deals? If you ever become a regular customer I lighten up. Everybody wants a deal. Deals are behind door #2. What do sellers want? Me? I want everyone to be happy and do well! I like to pay a good fear price to my suppliers. I like me to make some money and I want my customers to pay a honest fair price where no one in the food chain gets ripped off. .
Not to be rude but till I know what movie you are in, you are a drop of water in a river rushing by, a grain of sand running through the hourglass. Something has to happen so that you stand out, so I know you as different then the bozo at the back of the line trying it cut in- in a hurry, who wants to see the manager.
Anyhow what movie are you in? Read the script again from the top, starting with
" I realize I'm asking for personal service…."

Doing Business 101

Art science magic
The beauty of art is that it is magic, one of a kind, unique, it has personality - character. The beauty of science is it is predictable, anyone can do it if they follow the instructions, it can be repeated -mass produced, and done cheap.
The disadvantage of 'art' is sometimes it does not come out, is not predictable, has a factor of the unknown about it. The disadvantage of science is it has little power and character, and though it never really 'fails' neither does it ever really succeed in instilling strong feelings. It simply 'is'
So relating all that to the subject at hands - your interest in what I do…. I am for sure more the artist then the scientist. In 50 years no one has copied my work. There are no instructions. Some customers feel my art and materials is like magic! On that subject I say….

Selling the rabbit after it is pulled out of the hat is one thing. Predicting I can - taking money in advance, and or having you watch me, and or predicting what the rabbit will look like exactly, and when exactly it will appear, is of course another whole matter. If all works out the crowd cheers. It is worth big bucks. No one else can do it. But if I am late, or the rabbit is small , or it is a dog not a rabbit then the customers want their money back, and I am tar and feathered.
Magic is followed by the word trick. Magic trick. But more in my mind 'trick' means lack of understanding. Ignorance is bliss. Magic when combined with art involves 'romance' Art that is magic is romantic. Romance means lack of understanding. Once we understand something it is much less romantic. A woman is less romantic in the morning with all her make up off, hair a mess and she farts. That's called reality. True love is about reality not romance. To love my work is to get beyond the romance and stare into the depths of it's soul - to know it- as a truth, and be fond of it anyway. That's very rare.

Art/ science value

Order you want pictures, personal service
So you like my stuff? Thanks. But you are curious, have some questions, want more pictures - descriptions and in short require personal service And you want a deal? ? Can I help you?
The short answer is "Probably not"

The long version is still what I might call the quick and dirty version. Keep a few things in mind. When we shop at a regular store we get in line and are served in the order we arrive regardless of who we are, or what we are spending. On the internet there is no such line. I visually scan my emails and look first for my regular customers, on going business deals, deals I expect to make money at, deals I think will be fun to do, deals where I have been asked for something I understand, like to do, can do, and am pretty sure the customer will be happy with the time I spend. I try to make my website understandable- to cut down on my time personally explaining myself to each customer. A customer can read look and decide. 90% of those who need more are probably going to be time consuming money losers for me. Otherwise I will get an email something like "I know your time is valuable and I need some extra help and time here and understand I'm going to pay more money"
Sometimes I volunteer my time, to be nice. It is not required. I do not owe my customers free advice. We are not friends and you do not get favors because we chatted once when I was in the mood. I'm not a huge people person. I can be, but am moody and I might or might not be in the same mood again- sometimes I feel busy and pressured and other times more like I can afford to stop and chat. I just have that kind of personality. It used to be called manic depressive- many great artists had it, so I say it with pride.

There are ways to get closer to the head of the line! Do the work yourself and not ask me to. Meaning look around the site and see if I have anything that interests you - cut and paste me the picture. Keep in mind my 'free time' chart. $10 gets 2 free minutes enough time to personally reply to an email no pictures. $100 gets a free half an hour a personal picture a few emails. $10,000 gets you a ticket to Alaska and we discuss the deal while we are fishing. Like that. Consider what I am good at and not good at. I offer one of a kind unique, done my way, with power and fire and energy. I don't follow instructions. I write instructions. I prefer a few long term customers I know and value, who get to the front of the line. One time small deals are not exciting, and go to the back of the line. Those who understand accept that my time is $65 an hour and are willing to buy my time can have it.
Ok this was the quick and dirty version of "How to do business and get at the head of the line on the internet" (in 2 easy steps). Hope this answers your questions better then the short version.

Pictures descriptions and personal service

Free stuff! Free Raw materials!
Wow am I ever excited to tell you about the deal of a lifetime! Like free wolf claws! All you want! All you need…. is a plane ticket to Alaska, a $5,000 snow machine, a $1000 rifle (warm clothes a map an out of state license, and knowledge…total an easy 10 grand) You can shoot all ya want! Cool huh! How exciting!
But wait that's a lot of stuff you need to get a free wolf claw? Hmmm. Ok tell ya what I'll do for you. Let me go get the wolf! I sell you a raw bloody foot 'cheap'! Like $20 frozen. But it might thaw in the mail and stink by the time you get it? For that price, that's not my problem. And you know how to boil it, got the right pot- hopefully not your cooking pot and you do know about the hull and the claw and the hull coming off if you over boil it right? All that's a bit heavy? Ok ok Tell ya what I'm gonna do for you since you are such a valued customer. I'll boil the bloody paw and take the claws off and sell em cheap for $4 each! Coarse they might have fur and sinew stuck on them. Smell a tiny bit. Have a bug or two, a dried maggot or two. And the hull might pop off so you know how to fix that right? No time? Wow! Ok well hmmm ok I got an idea I'll do that for you! I can sell you boiled cleaned dried, with hull glued back in, no fur no sinew polished ready to use raw wolf claws for $10 each! You can turn it into jewelry! You might need a drill, a fordem, chain and box casting equipment for the custom cast cap….(that's only about $3,000! Used!) Or hey I can drill a hole in it, or cap it put a cord on it have it ready to wear for $35.
So you tell me what level you want to come in on. What a deal!

Free Stuff!

Free Stuff!

Authentic - Real_Quality- Natural
The subject comes up concerning the word 'real' - as apposed to fake. Issues- questions- with terms like 'scam' Terms like 'natural'. To some customers, anything I say on the subject is a con - using fancy words to skirt some evil deed. They feel ripped off.
As a seller whose web site is one of the top 5 in the world in my field and as a professional in the top 10% in the world, it is often difficult to know for sure what a customer wants- can afford, deserves, even understrands. Or determine how much time I have to find out. Or how much is it my business. Do we all agree and know what the terms mean? Fake real natural authentic? I say no.
I refer to Ebay as a standard- the biggest internet selling spot in the world. Under 'Gem stones' are glass crystals. Under 'silver' is pewter and lead because 'silver' is a color not a material. I'm shocked. Legally 'hand made' means 'altered 10%' This means I am often, in fact 'usually' set up at shows in a hand made section with people who import jewelry from overseas for $1, take one bead off- add one bead- and sell it next to me as hand made just like my stuff, for $100. It's legal and it's accepted.
Turquoise is an example of a raw material I sell and covers a product that came out of the ground- was impregnated with colored resin and baked under pressure, treated - dyed and offered as 'turquoise' There might be only 100 people in the entire world who have ever seen 'knock your socks off gorgeous' turquoise untreated unaltered in any way right out of the ground. I'm told it's been 50 years since such product was mined. Few even know that, few would know the difference, some would not even care, and few could afford the real.
Yet most customers want the best- want real- want natural- not even knowing what it is. when statistics show 75% of all materials sold are not totally what we are told. Thus 75% of the customers will get less then awesome stuff, and all want to be in the top 25% with the best. And that cant possibly happen. It's a sellers dilemma. Like the words to a song "Everyone wants to be a super star". Treated like kings and queens. Royalty. Not all but a high percent. How many men fantasize about buck teeth, knock knees and 50 pounds overweight? They all want miss America and how many are there? A woman dyes her hair wears false eyelashes shaves her legs does her nails and it's not called fake. It's the real thing the full meal deal. Who is 'natural'? It would be illegal. Natural would mean no clothes. Or hairy arm pits. So we all accept some definition of what is real and natural. It can vary by culture age race economic standing.
To me 'natural and raw material' means dead but still bloody and twitching, or right out of the ground wet and muddy. But who buys my material in that natural state? Less then a thousandth of a percent. I kill the wolf cut the feet off boil the claws glue the bone back in the hull, and it is sorted graded run in a tumbler so it shines, and it's sold as 'natural' and is accepted as such by the public. When in fact it's no such thing. By the time I am done with it, it is a piece of art, but I cant sell it as such at art prices I get a raw price.
'Hand made art' to me means I found the material, I carved it, I shaped it, and for 25 years it meant made without electricity with tools I made myselfProblem. I go broke offering only that to everyone. There is such a thing as reality. Offering what people expect and want and can afford. A few can in fact afford the best and truly hand made, recognize it, respect it, know what it is, it's value and deserve it. I offer that to the rich and famous, relatives, friends, and valued regular customers. 95% of the public has 'price' as the main priority. I don't give deals, senior discounts, and favors to strangers with 'the best'. Champagne does not come on a beer budget. It's simply a fact of life I feel I should not have to explain, and do not. How many women go down the long list of what is fake and not real about their body before they go on a date. I could see it now "And my teeth have been filled see?" "And I wear contacts, (take them out) and eye lashes (take them off) and lifters and shapers of various sorts….. her date finds out at what point? In the morning when he wakes up? Such is life. The message seems to be-- reality sucks.
So let me tell you about what reality means for me personally. I have been making custom knives for 40 years, made and sold 'hundreds' and never once used what 99.9 % of all knife makers who come to me want 'the best blue mammoth ivory'. I use seconds. I do not trophy hunt. In all my years I have never measured the size of anything I killed. I really don't care. I take rocks off the ground - ordinary rocks and turn them into something beautiful and am proud of it. I want my art to sell- not just because of the material- but because my art has something to say. I sell off my best material and what is left over I do my own art with- and do quite well. I would not even want Miss American, to high maintenance for me. Not everyone agrees. I'm in business and must try to understand where a customers head is at. Personal service requires we sing from the same sheet of music. You may need to tell me what it is you expect. Tell me please what is real. Possibly I have it sell it or can get it. Can you afford it?

Authentic Real Quality Natural

Prices high or low need a deal?
Prices are a little high, but not outrageous. It is possible to get cheaper price from me! But it involves occupying less of my time. Prices you see are partly a result of having to spend half an hour per listing. This is because I need to take a picture or two and edit them, often weigh and measure the item. Describe each item. Record each item in a way I can relate it to the item. Store the item so I can find that exact item. Assign it a code. Store save the picture in a file. Then upload it to the web. Repeat everything. When it sells remove it from the web and mark it as sold in the word file and the picture file. That's an easy half an hour of time. I can not do that, and make $65 an hour in my shop working. That's frustrating.
All that time can be saved if you are interested in trusting me to just pick out something for you- to the best of my ability. No picture no description. In and out in a minimum amount of time. One email, one payment one shipping out. Save me half an hour of my time and I give you a nice discount. No. I don't want to discuss it, because now we are back to the half hour of my time. But sometimes a customer has dealt with me, knows me, and thinks I will do a good job knowing what they want. So they by-pass the shop cart, email me like "I need a pound of nice scrim ivory like I got before, just sent a pay pal for $40 tell me if that's correct. Have a nice day" Or "I need a gift for my daughter - she likes small things, maybe a tooth or claw for a woman. I trust you to pick such an item. Just sent you $65" Or "I have a gift shop and need $500 worth of merchandize for the tourist industry we sell to hunters and outdoor people. Things in the retail $35 to $45 range. Pick out some things for me include some of your books. I just sent $500" Such a business might get $100 off the usual wholesale price on the $500 order. Or " I need something for my medicine bag that has wolf energy, maybe a bone or broken tooth I don't have a lot of money, can I just send you $10 and you pick something out?" All of the above are typical communications I get that deserve a discount. A $35 item in the shop cart might be $25 if I get to pick it out. What a breath of fresh air. Dang I hate paperwork. If you feel that is like getting a pig in a poke and you want to see what you are getting, I understand. So put your money down and pay for that extra time .

My prices deals

Pictures no prices! What's up!
Where to begin. For 10 years my web site has been run with slow speed dial up internet connection an outdated computer and a $100 web program. With no knowledge beyond learning as I go. Doing this from an isolated Alaska village of 300 people where there is no one who knows any more then I do. Putting it into perspective it would take 24 hours to upload the entire web site. It is broken up into 27 separate linked sites with over 1,000 pictures I took edited and uploaded. I'm a one man business. All the art you see I made. At least half the raw materials I found. Half the raw material I cut and polished and made presentable for sale. Every single item in raw materials I personally hand selected. Nothing is ordered through the mail. When I download emails I can go make a pot of coffee while I wait and it takes 7 hours a day to reply. This is not meant to be telling you my personal problems or giving a song and dance. It is explaining what occupies my time. There simply has been no time to list all I have.
I have a choice. I can make a very tiny web site I can handle and list only what I can put in a shop cart which might be 20 items and the world knows me as a dinky shops with 20 items. Resulting in no visits no sales no business . Or I can put a lot of stuff up there that I have- like a huge garage sale I may not know where any of it is but I made it I had it at one time maybe I can find it maybe not. I Have 9 buildings full of 'stuff' and over 500 art pieces in inventory at any given time. I once misplaced $10,000 worth of ivory and it was 2 years before I found it. My point is, I know how to acquire things. Offer it to you? How?
So my huge web site puts me in the top 5 in the world in my business. Maybe my web site is like my résumé? Portfolio. Showing what is possible. Ideas for special orders. Some customers actually fly to Alaska to look me up and buy from me. Also consider only about 15 % of my business is generated from retail sales from the web site. 85% of my income comes from 15% of the customers. Special orders from the rich and famous. (have made several necklaces in the $5,000 plus range). Or regular costumers who do not require seeing what they buy first, who just tell me to send stuff. Shops who know my work sells and ask me just to send stuff. They trust me and over the years whatever I send sells and what does not I accept back for credit at the end of selling season. Many customers have become friends due to my personal service. That defines 85% of my income so I'm not highly motivated to spend time improving 15% of my business. Nor highly motivated trying to help people figure out how to take care of a $50 or less order- when it takes $100 a day coming in just to break even. I mean I care, but dang, I'm already putting in 17 hour work days. I'm already making a living doing it my way. Why should I do it your way? Not to be rude, just sighing. But just got high speed internet Windows 7 a fast computer and new updated programs. I'm on another planet now. But so far still learning how it all works. Give me time. I'm trying to add more to the shop cart. I'm trying to be on a fast learning curve. It took a monjth just to figure out Windows 7 does not even support dial up internet with drivers and the new computer has no modem. No one told me. I had to take the cover off the back and follow the phone wire to see if it hooked to anything that might be a modem. While my customers are screaming for their orders. It took a week to figure out why the high speed would not connect to my email account. Or why my web program could not upload the web pages. It's not easy doing it all. So I tossed a lot up on the internet and let you the customer sort it out. If you don't have time, well bye, have a nice day. I don't have time either. Good news for me is .. I have got stuff no one else does. I'm the man. I got the gift. Enough people are willing to deal with the glitches to have what I have.

Pictures No price

Look here for the topic of interest and click

Free advice and time-- Paid for time
I often give free advice. The priority time-wise is, friends family first, regular established customers, then newer customers who have bought something before, then new customers considering buying something, then if time allows, donated advice out of the goodness of my heart for no hope of profit. This is my 'free time' guideline. Set up 'because.' The question becomes, does everyone pay equally for my time? Or, should those who can get in an out with the least mess or fuss save money, while those who request special time and service be the ones who pay.
$10 sale equals 2 minutes example one email one question no personal picture
, $100 equals 10 minutes, example a personal description, a photo on file (not created from scratch just for you) , 2-3 email exchanges
$1,000 equals an hour. Example several personal pictures of item several descriptions several emails
$10,000 equals several hours. Example lots of pictures lots of emails phone calls references personal shipping inquiry and or talking to others to find best deals the story behind the material

Free time / paid for time

my prices | Untitled 3

Link to 'about me' that effect business

Time chart- how much free time I have

Real or restored

Quality service time = price

Price-service tell me your priority

Special orders
Maybe. It depends. The good news. Yes I like to do special orders that work out, it's very rewarding to create something another values and treasures. (!) It is easy for me to want to please! I promise this, I agree to that. But often certain realities set in. I end up making promises hard to keep (or that end up being stressful to live up to- or loosing me money, sometimes big time to make good on an agreement.) The truth is -- special orders 'cost' It is not going to be an extra 10%. Unless I'm contributing to a cause I believe in. I do donate my time and art but I want that to be my my choice. Cost me more 'because' I probably have to put away some equipment and get out other equipment (If it's art) or if raw I have to track something down and not just randomly run into a deal as is often the case. If I put in a special request for raw material with the local natives, the price goes up when someone knows I'm in a bind and need it. Special orders require 'art' comes out a certain way and that's not how I do art. Put in the words of an Old Eskimo I once befriended, "Ideas? They are not mine. The spirit of the material tells me what it wants to be and it is my job to release that spirit." Not exactly how I believe, but I like to go to my work bench with a blank mind, and look at my materials and begin working. Let the piece develop. Not tell it what it wants to be. I may decide an opal is better than the turquoise I first thought. Maybe the eagle idea is not going to work and something from the water is better because of the way the blue swirls - I now decide is not like the sky, but like water. I thus need freedom to let the piece become and evolve. The finished product may or may not come out if I do it how you want. It's art, not science.
Also I am simply not that good at following directions. I lived alone too many years. I value freedom. I can easily forget how you wanted it. It can also be frustrating when you wanted turquoise. But the piece of turquoise I had in mind will not work, or breaks when I work it, and I don't have another piece quite like it. Now I have to consult with you. Time, pictures discussions . Maybe I already agreed on a price. Maybe opal will be perfect but $100 more. Or a local rock I have that is $100 less but not what you wanted. And maybe I am on a deadline and promised to have it done and the casting I was waiting to do does not come out so now here I am doing a special casting just for one item so I can meet a deadline. Been there and done that too many times in my life. I get involved. I care, I worry. I stay awake at night. My blood pressure goes up. I'm truly bummed out if it doesn't work. I'm also bummed out of it is so great and I already agreed to a price and I cant get that $1,000 I could sell it for if it was mine to sell. Maybe even another customer sees it and offers that $1,000 but nope I agreed on $100. Been there and done that far to many times as well.
Basically a special order is not doing me any favor. It's usually doing the customer a favor. I usually don't need the business. I can spend the time doing what I want and usually make more money. As in a lot more money. If you want a special order repeat after me
"I understand it is going to cost. I understand you need your freedom to let it develop, it could take time, and I understand you will do your best" If you can feel those words with sincerity then I might be interested.

The price? Oh My! Good golly. Do I have what? You want me to go look- for no other reason than because you asked? Oh my! OK, Well…
I need to know your priorities
What really helps first off is if you cut and paste me a picture off my web site and email it to me so I know what you are looking at and call good looking. I know the below sounds like a song and dance and you are busy maybe and want a simple yes or no- in and out answer. NO time for my crap! And I don't have time for yours either. Problem. I don't run an ordinary business in an ordinary way selling ordinary stuff. So maybe the below is my disclaimer. Sort of like if you don't read and understand and still do business and it doesn't work out I shrug my shoulders and say "Next!"
My art is one of a kind- unique, so each is priced different. I have 'big showy but not expensive.' I have things for kids. Lots of bright colors, but inferior work and material for a few bucks- guaranteed to last till you get out the door. I have $5,000 necklaces that to some look the same as bubble gum machine stuff, but others understand the difference between good opal and abalone shell, or the difference between glue and solder, bone and ivory.. Special orders can be created fast cheap with no personal service on up to the best of everything at a high price tag. Raw materials are likewise unique, nature made, no two exactly alike, and in a variety of price ranges, qualities. 'Raw' can be natural, or enhanced, restored. It is all real and authentic- depending how you define that. Few people like to hear that. So it's a delicate subject sometimes.
The best example of 'the best materials' is if a guy is describing his preference for a woman. Beautiful and natural are at the top of the list. Define that. Tell me about 'truth'. Natural would probably be illegal. She'd have no clothes on. Or to say the least- totally un-cool, uncivilized, immoral, unethical, crude rude etc etc. She'd maybe have hairy arm pits down to her knees, bushy eyebrows, hairy legs. Or put another way - no perfume, no makeup (not even hand lotion or face cream) no body enhancers (bra-nails- eye lashes- pierced anything) , no hair dye, no jewelry, no high heels, etc etc. Personally I like women like that, because I'm an uncivilized savage, but do most people understand exactly what that means? So at what point is a woman not fake or restored or enhanced? At what point does a woman reveal the truth? How does she answer "Are you for real?" (Is that before or after she takes you to heaven?) You tell me because we all have our own definition. And since I love the smell of sweat and mud and call that natural - we may not agree on what good looking, or 'best' is.
So it goes with art and raw materials. Tell me what 'real' is. Still muddy and smelly right out of the ground? Or- cleaned pruned dyed filled, polished, under glass with a spot light on it? You tell me- so that I may better serve you. It's all about price.
Then tell me about 'service'! The level you expect and want and will pay for. What is good service? Good for who- me or you? I'm not McDonalds. You don't get the best- supersized, the way you want it, fast, for an extra dollar. Served up by a clown with a big smile. He smiles because he can't understand English, you have to point, and can barely make change. Or tries to rip you off for a dime. He's not your friend. He doesn't care. Call him in the middle of the night with an emergency and ask if that comes with fries and see what his mood is. I don't call any of that good service. Good service to me is me, The Man, answers up when you make contact. My phone and email is my one and only, that reaches me day or night. I'm the one who owns the business, higher up even then the manager. The one who wrote the book, the one who found most of the materials, and the one who makes all the art you see on these pages. The one who took all the pictures and made this web site. And you feel a need to contact me, why? If you want that for free- no extra charge, I'm dumbfounded and wonder what planet you are from. So I need to know how much service you want to pay for. I get $65 an hour- am a professional (meaning one of the best there is in the world at what I do.) We may of coarse need to define exactly what it is I do and am best at, and what that's worth. You might be happier with Ronald. I can't say. I do have a 'free time ' chart to refer to, that gives an idea what to expect for free. (see side bar topics)
So rather than have me guess what it is you want - where you fit in - it saves time if you just tell me. (Or better cut and paste me a picture off my web site of what it is you see that you like. No not everything is priced. To learn who go to this link
Pictures- no price! on the sidee bar menu
#1 the best of everything. Best service best product fast. For the rich and famous - or those who understand that cost at least twice as much as other choices. If so, I can put you to the head of the line. My shop time is $65 an hour. I may request a down payment as proof of your sincerity. The world is filled with those who expect champagne on a beer budget. I will find it understandable if you expect proof I have the best. I don't show it to just anyone. Not many have the best, not many can afford it.
#2 Best product hold the service and take your time You like the best product but can wait and do not need lots of pictures or time spent so you can save some money. Or maybe increase the service, you need advice and help- sacrafice a little on the quality. It still may cost more than normal but not the sky is the limit. I'll send you one picture taken just for you of what you want, get to you as soon as I can, offer a little advice and exchange a few emails.
#3 Not quite the best but stunning Now the price gets within reason. In this category is slightly restored raw material enhanced stuff like dyed turquoise. Or nice stuff just not the top 1%. Better then ordinary. You probably get no special picture taken just for you, unless I have time, but maybe a picture from my file. A few emails of questions, probably no advice unless I have time.
#4 Good stuff with ok service This might be called the usual- normal the average good price. What most people get, the quoted price. Nothing comes out from under the counter 'special'. A couple of emails, maybe only one. You should know what you are buying and not ask me to help you decide.
#5 Seconds but nice The focus is on a good price and ok stuff. But still a product to be proud of. Nothing wrong with seconds. It's what I usually use myself. Sometimes I can give a deal. (Deals are not given on the best stuff!) The best is in high demand! What is not in high demand is the nice high price. Often if seconds are treated with care and expertise it can be stunning
#5 A deal This is trying to save a lot of money like half price. A reject of some kind no service no pictures you'll work with what I send.
#6 Free I'll get to you if and when I can, as someone on the corner holding out a tin cup, a beggar. No one is forgotten or turned away.
There are of course many combinations and gradients of these 6 choices from top service and no product to all product and no service.
There are 3 factors in price. Product, service, speed.
On a scale of one to 10 we grade all 3 areas for a price.
Product #10 best Service #10 best Speed #10 best = 30 points (deal #1- twice as much as normal)
Product #5 Service #10 Speed #5 = 20 points - the normal price
So anyhow you see what I mean? To quote a price I need to know your priorities, or I have to quote 50 prices. Like saying you want a car. From custom made with lifetime warranty, today, 100 grand. A clunker that might not run with no warranty pick it up next week, $500. That is why instead of all the talk and discuss, cut and paste me a picture of what you see in my site that you like. You might get a better price as it takes less of my time to see what you want. Thanks.

Link to commonly asked questions

I find it interesting that vendors get asked more then customers 'if this is for real'. Customers so often indignantly demand 'authentic'. But then offer the vendor 'plastic' or 'paper' and not gold.

Best product - There is a pecking order to the distribution of goods of the world. The best goes to family first, then friends, then long time regular customers, then the rich and famous, then to anyone who can afford it, then to charities- the deserving, then to people who want a deal who cant afford it, then to con artists who want to pretend to be my friend and play me for a sucker.

Your Question - now m y question

Best or cheapest?