I have gone to shows for a few years now but this is the first year that I have a good grasp of quality and price. I have done my homework and will attend with print-out specs on gemstone strands and pricing.  For those of you who buy at shows and online, can you tell me what the chances are of getting vendors to meet those online prices?  Obviously, I know that quality will vary and I will compare and adjust, but if I can't get vendors to meet or beat those prices, then I'd rather place an online order. Can you tell me what your experiences have been with this?  It seems that I've paid much higher prices at the big shows than I should have been paying.  Any insight on this is greatly appreciated.  Vendor insight welcome as well!  I'd just really like to maximize my dollars and judge the situation fairly.   I will be attending Bead Fest on the first vendor day and don't want to leave empty handed if it's not possible to obtain stock for comparable prices or if vendors aren't willing to match until the last vending day. 

 

Bump.

Anyone?  Any insight or comparisons to share? 

I think I agree with your thoughts that prices may be higher in person as opposed to online. My quest is for the 'items I can't find on line' and perfer 'hands on buying and selecting' that bring me to bead shows.

 There is a recent situation I have that explains further. Two years ago I went to B&B Show. I purchased about 15 gorgeous 'Swarovski Rivolis', quite large. Now, I can't locate any online. Not even at the web address for the very vendor I purchased them from. It is on my list to look for "SR,s" the next bead show I attend.

I also found it nice to have such an overwhelming selection of seed bead colors, not what I have locally, and not to be perfect from on line pictures. I scoop up on seed beads, with the 'ever-so-slightest' color hue difference, something I can't select on line and what I use for all my work

Other then these 'personal quirks', yes, show seems to be higher priced then on line.

Erin

www.beadsbeadingbeaded.com

We've always found that buying beads and parts online/catalog is less expensive once you factor in the cost of time, fuel, etc. Consider that folks that sell at bead shows also have to figure in these costs so generally you will pay more. There may be some savings in shipping costs but one needs to do the howework to figure the better deal.

On silver we found a place in Chicago where we can buy at the daily silver spot price - by the ounce regardless of size or shape. We usually bulk up on silver purchases there and when we do need more we try to make the trip in conjunction with some other need to head into Chicago.

I don't think vendors as shows could afford to meet online catalog prices.  For starters, a lot of online companies are done from a home based or non-storefront facilit.  They aren't (usually) paying for expensive floor space or driving hours and hours racking up gas, hotel, food and then vendor charges yo be at shows.  That said, a lot of vendors at shows have a few certain things that they have "on special" at the show.  Some vendors have outstanding prices on chains, some on sterling, some on natural stones, etc.  This past weekend while at a show in Raleigh, NC I got a mountain on natural stone strands for about the cheapest price I have yet to see online or otherwise--it was their "draw" for the show.  Another stand had swarovskis at online sale prices that would be hard to top.  By going from stand to stand and looking I was able to get the hands on that I wanted and got the best of both worlds.  You have to shop around at those things!  I did wond up paying about $2.50 over catalog prices for a particular large silver pendant bail, but I was glad I got to see it in person and put it ON the pendant in question.  The tiny bit smaller size bail I was looking at online that I thought would fit did not...so really I saved there.  Of course MY problem with shows is that I always leave broke and with FAR more than I intended to get! LOL

 -Amy

I don't think it is just the bead shows that charge higher prices, one also has to do their comparing when shopping online also. I was looking for more of a particular item I had purchased on-line and couldn't find it listed anymore at that particular website, so did a search for it. I found the exact same item in the exact same quantity (20 grams) ranging in price from 99 cents to a whopping $6.95 - needless to say, you know who I'll be ordering from. Sometimes , I will pay a little bit more for something at my local bead store because I know that they have to charge a little bit more to stay in business, but when they charge what I consider obscene prices like the $6.95 charged by that one particular guy, well, can anyone blame  them if they don't stay in business long?

 

Ummm, I usually get BETTER prices in person, not worse. At most shows I try to negotiate if I am buying a lot. Some vendors will and some won't negotiate. Most of the chinese vendors will - in 2006 I got 4 strands of faceted 8mm citrine briolettes for $25, among other deals, because I spent about $150 with a particular chinese vendor. Another time I got 9 strands of diamond shaped (about 10mm square, but drilled so they were diamond shaped) tourminalated quartz beads for about $8/strand because he wanted $15/strand and I offered him $75 for all of it & he agreed. Depends if the vendor is hungry or wants to get rid of a particular item. You do have to know what you're willing to pay and what is a good price, there's no question - but if you can get it at a better price, why not try? If you find something really cool at a show - buy it. You won't see it again. Most of the time, in my experience, the stuff vendors bring to shows is stuff that hasn't sold elsewhere, and when it's gone, they don't ever get more of that exact thing. 2 years ago I found large (ie 10mm long) faceted rice shaped snowflake obsidian that was gorgeous in a bargain bin and bought all 6 or so strands the vendor had. I haven't found it ANYWHERE ON ANY SITE OR ANY SHOW since (big bummer!). Happy hunting! Angela

I prefer to buy at shows.  I usually make my shopping list before I go(essential otherwise I would be totally overwhelmed by the volume available- and very distracted by all the pretty beads I would like to have).  I check out prices online to get a ballpark price and give myself a range  not necessarily a fixed pricethus giving the vendors a fair price too.(they do need to make a living also). Once at the show it is easier to match colors to the idea I have in my head for particular pieces when you have the merchandise in front of you.  You may alo see other colors that would work better than what you had planned.  The extra added bonus is that I get a day out of the house to mingle with all the other bead obsessed folks

I've been wondering about this myself. I just came back from Beadfest Philadelphia, where I went not only to buy, but to see beads "in the flesh" and know what they really look like, rather than just looking at them on a monitor. Unless you have a very reliable vendor online, how can you know that the beads you buy (I'm talking semi precious here) are going to be a good quality? Stuff like Swarovski is, of course, pretty standard, but what about stones? I now realize my LBS is getting way too much money for some not-so-great beads...

There are many different prices at shows as well as online. I think the real issue is buying from merchants who keep a standard of quality and pricing no matter where they are selling. I try to be educated on what I’m buying and for me that works better if I’m able to hold the beads in my hands and talk directly with the merchant. Also, I find that sometimes I’m not always sure what I want or need until I see it first hand. I will however re-order items online from merchants that I have established a relationship with.

 

Ava

 

Well to close the loop in this topic, I did both this past month.  I placed a large order for gemstones and then also went to Bead Fest Philly.  I am happy I bought what I did online as I didn't see what I was after at the show.  Having been to a lot of shows in the past, I will say that this is the first year that I felt that the prices were much higher.  Disappointing so say the least.  However, I think that I've got a grasp on the difference of beads now.  There are some things that I will stick to online ordering for and others I will only buy at shows.  Because I like variety, I now feel like I know what to really look for.  If I was buying high quality faceted gemstone beads, I'd buy them at the show.  Organic and rougher cut beads are good for ordering online for me.  Also, basic silver findings seem to be better to order online as far as pricing goes.  I was happy to see the variety at the show from a few vendors that I've not seen on line before.

 

Berger Specialty Co. in downtown Los Angeles is a great place to buy beads and they now have a website www.bergerbeads.net
Berger Beads
413 E. 8th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90014

M-F 9:00am to 4:30pm
Sat. 10:00am to 3:00pm

Phone: (213) 627-8783
Fax: (213) 680-9743
We speak English, Korean, Japanese, and Spanish.
Email: sales@bergerbeads.net

It is fun to attend the shows, and talking to and being around other beaders is always a great boost.  I find, though, as a store owner, that BUYING at the shows is difficult for me to do unless I'm prepared to spend a HUGE amount of money - most vendors will only wholesale if you spend over a certain amount.  I tend to buy in smaller quantities, especially from a vendor I am not familiar with.  Generally, I've only been hitting the big GLW wholesale show every quarter - but even that has become a "minimum purchase" issue.  It's good to know what some of the prices are out there - good for you for doing your homework ahead of time.  You may find some of the vendors willing to deal on price - more so on the last day though, than the first.
Happy shopping!
Sheryl Stephens
Owner/Designer
Cool Moon Creations & Beads
http://www.coolmooncreations.com

I do better in person, because I buy in quantity and I like to check the quality of what I am buying. Our big show in Denver is next month and I will buy supplies for the next year there. Most vendors will make you a better deal, but not usually on just one strand. Some vendors make better deals than others.

Even when I make a list of what I need, when I get into a huge show...I am ready to toss it out and just go for the whole shebang! Our shows next month are actually several shows over almost a week. I start on Tuesday and dont stop until sunday. I NEED to get good deals to get in all that shopping!

My experience that online prices and quality are better. The beads have not been manhandled at 20 shows and thrown in and out of crates a hundred times. Also the cost of doing shows is added in.

 That said I still buy at shows but only in very large quantity and negotiate hard if I am in need of a certain kind of item from a certain vendor. For example Baltic Amber from a woman I know who does a few shows here in the States when she comes over from Russia.

 Szarka

 Living in a very rural area and being a newer beader - I have generally purchased the largest quantity of stuff on line.  I have yet to go to a bead show --- after reading some of the posts I am discouraged about going now, because of pricing and the multiple handlings of beads.  But I think it would be fun to go due to the energy and personalities I would encounter.  There is a bead show in Rochester, NY next month I might be able to go to ( I live in rural Allegany county 100+ miles away) depending on my work schedule.  I have never even been to a "bead store" before, just places like AC Moore or Michaels.

 I would love any tips anyone has --- especially their favorite web sites.  I keep trying different sites and haven't really found a favorite yet.

thanks, cindy
 

 A google search for "bead show in Rochester NY" finds several multi vendor shows but it does not show the wholesale/invitation only bead show in Rochester NY put on by Rings & Things on September 18, 2008. We bring 60 or more tables of gemstone beads, glass beads,  pearls & findings for our customer's selection/

You can see the whole list of cities for our fall tour at Rings & Things Fall tour. The tour starts September 9 in Minneapolis and runs bac and forth the country ending up in Sacramento CA on November 2.

My personal opinion is that some things are better/easier to buy in person while others are sometimes cheaper and surely easier to buy on line.  Figured gemstone beads are easier to hand pick at shows and LBS.. Uniform beads like Swarovski bicones are simple on line.

After reading everyone's reply post. I have 2 say thanks. Now I know, (well as a rookie 2 beading) lots of venders don't like 2 lower their prices on certain beads or other items. To be honest, I used 2 go 2 Sports Cards Show in late 90's & I stopped. B/c high prices & refuse to make any kind of deal or trade any card w/ me.

As 4 Bead Show buying vs. online Buying, I'm willing 2 buy online b/c I see there r more beads in a case than when u buy at art & craft store like Michaels & Joanne. I have 2 agree w/ all of u some venders r willing 2 deal & some aren't. I call this as an act of greed. I understand I cost $ 2 have a table/booth at show. But they still have no right charging high prices on any beads or any other items. Sometimes this is a big rip off. Just like the Sport Cards Show I used 2 go.

Donna

 I think thr choice between online and show or store is the same as for a lot of other things. Like books for example. you can buy cheaper at Amazon but you miss the experience of going to a bookstore, browsing the books, maybe having a coffee at the cafe and meeting other book lovers. But I find it easier to actually select beads to buy online. I get overwhelmed by the choice to easily in person! I find it easier to narrow down what I actually want online. But I'm sure there are people who find that easier in person. I guess a problem with online buying is that colors aren't represented accurately on-screen. Depending on your monitor etc the colors can be quite different.

Dear Jades,

Would you be willing to share where you can buy the Sterling Silver in Chicago for the current prices?  Thank you very much. 

KMFitzgerald