Need good quality tie tack findings

[Luann Udell]

I've been ordering really good tie tack components from Rio Grande for years.  I just tried to reorder the tie tack posts--gold-filled, .045" diameter posts, with a 8mm pad for gluing on my artifacts.  They don't carry them anymore!  I used these posts with their best-quality clutches, spring-loaded ones.  

I can't find a replacement source, and I need them soon.  I see R&T has some, but the price differential is substantial--a lot cheaper!  I don't know if this reflects the quality & sturdiness of the posts & clutches, or if it's just the difference in materials (gold-filled posts vs. ??, nickel clutches vs. ??)  And is it possible to get ones with 8mm pads instead of your 6mm (a wee bit too small) and 10mm pads (a wee bit too large.)  Do I sound like Goldilocks?

I need these to be high quality components, because I charge a LOT for my tie tacks.  Can you advise?  Will the R&T versions work, or can I special order different ones from you??

Help!!
Luann

[marym]

Hi Luann! You're absolutely right about your guess as far as the prices of the tie tacks go.  Ours are indeed plated, naturally less expensive than the 14k or Sterling versions (which we do not carry).  I believe the stock we carry is a good quality tack, however, with out the SS or 14k label, I doubt you could charge very much for them.  Check into our special services, depending on the quantity you want, we may be able to special order it for you. Rings & Things special services has a minimum quantity required.  Perhaps consider adding these items to a Wish List Form as well, and if demand gets greater, we may consider trying to add them to our regular stock.  

If any one else has a good source for these... feel free to post it here for Luann.

Thanks and good luck on your search!!

-Mary
Rings & Things Marketing Staff

[Russ Nobbs]

I fear that, if Rio dropped them, they are no longer available from the manufacturer. (They may have dropped them because of slow sales but Rio carries a lot of goods that have a limited market.)

Did you ask Rio if they could special order them?  Maybe ask if you could talk to whoever used to by them?

Stuller Setting in Lousiana is the only place I can think of that might have them. And theirs might be 14Kt.

Our 38-888 and 38-898 with chain are good quality but only plated.

[Luann Udell]

Hey Russ and Mary, I've checked in with a sales rep for a consortium of jewelry manufacturers in Providence.  His companies supply Rio Grande and others.  He says the price was probably a function of the gold-filled nature of the posts, and not because the quality was 100x better..  He feels people paid the higher price for my tie tacks because they were a natural extension of my product lines, not because they were gold-filled.  So his feeling is, as long as the quality of the components are solid, I shouldn't worry about the gold-filled vs. brass with plating.
So with that in mind, if you both feel the tie tacks you offer are sturdy components, I will feel perfectly at ease calling & placing an order with you soon!
thanks so much for your responses,
Luann

[Luann Udell]

Hi R&T people,
I was going to e-mail you off the forum, but then realized your answer might be informative for others.

so.....

I've tested your selection of tie tack posts with the Rio Grand tie tack clutches.  It looks like #38-739 and #38-730 will work.  I now need to see if these are available in yellow metal.  What would be needed to place a special order for such an item?
thanks!!
Luann