Frequently Asked Questions
What will I find when I get there?
Most beads will be 15% off our low wholesale prices. We will have tables & tables full of bead strands that we don't normally carry, or that are hard to catalog since each strand is different. "On-sale" stock will include:
- Tons of gemstones — mostly unusual styles & faceted strands
- Lots of turquoise, pearls, red coral, Bali silver & special purchases of Czech glass
- Hand-faceted sparkly Chinese glass beads
- A wide variety of trade beads
- New Chinese lampwork beads made especially for Rings & Things
- Copper beads
- A closeouts "Red Tag" section
Stock that will be available at regular low wholesale prices (selection varies about 30% from spring to fall, depending on what's hot and what sold well during the previous tour):
- Beadalon®, Soft Flex®, watches, toggle clasps, crimp beads and lots of stringing supplies
- SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS — #5328 in 4mm, 5mm & 6mm (TONS of colors, especially 4mm)
- Sterling silver & gold-filled beads and findings
- Magnetic-clasp choker cables
- Spacer beads
- Tools
- Bulk jewelry chain on spools
Is Rings & Things the only vendor at the show?
YES! Only Rings & Things — and we will have an entire ballroom full of beads!
Are the goods priced?
YES! Nearly every strand and package is priced. Strands are marked with retail prices, and wholesale price is 1/2 of the marked price. At the shows, you'll get an additional 15% off the wholesale price on strands of gemstones, pearls, glass and African beads.
Packages of findings, spools of chain and cord, wire, tools and SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS are priced at net wholesale price. There is no additional discount on these. We bring these basics as a convenience to our customers.
I can't quite picture it ... Can you describe it?
How about if we show you instead? Take a peek at our virtual tour of a typical BeadTour show.
Is it okay if I can't be there right at the beginning?
YES — there's plenty for everyone! But, most people spend 1-2 hours browsing our offerings, so don't arrive too late!
What does "cash & carry" mean?
Cash and carry means you take the beads home with you that very day (as opposed to "order only" shows where you can only place orders and have the goods shipped to you).
What payment methods do you accept?
We gladly accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover and checks, in addition to good old-fashioned cash.
Can I get anything from your catalog at the show?
We do bring some catalog stock to our show (everything listed above & more), but we can't bring everything! That's why we typically bring copies of our catalogs & supplements with us. If you spend $100 or more at the show, we'll give you a coupon for free domestic ground shipping, good for at least 3 weeks after the show. This way you can order items we didn't have at the show without having to pay shipping for them. Alternately, you can order ahead and have us deliver your catalog items to the show (see below)!
If I place an order now, can you bring it with you so I can pick it up at the show?
YES! Order online or over the phone (find deadlines in our show list), and ask us to bring it especially for you! For most shows, the order must be under 10 lbs, and cannot contain liquids or chemicals. For all "Deliver to Show" orders, select "Pay at Bead Show" as your payment option (do not check out with PayPal). Plan to pay for the order when you pick it up at the show. Show orders are taxable unless you bring your tax ID to the show.
If I place an order for bead strands to be delivered to a show, do I get 15% off of those beads too?
Yes! This is a special deal we give to our show attendants. Please note that this special deal is only good for beads sold by the strand.
Can anyone come to the show?
Our shows are for serious bead buyers only. You must bring one of our invitations, a Rings & Things customer number, or a state resale number to gain entrance. In states without sales tax, other business ID will work.
I have an invitation and/or state resale number. Can I bring a friend?
Yes — as long as they come in with you and check out with you.
Which Rings & Things employees will be there?
It varies from site to site — usually Kim and/or Lynn plus many others! About 13 of us (out of almost 70) travel to work the road shows.
Why don't you come to my town?
We enjoy going on the road and selling beads. However, our banker constantly reminds us that we are a business! There are certain sales numbers we must reach at a show to break even, and since we want to keep doing shows, we can't pick sites where we lose money ... Any site where we are successful, we return. If a site slows down for us, we may skip a tour and then try again. If we do really poorly somewhere, we look for a new site. The best way to insure that we continue to do shows in your area is to come out and support the show. Tell others you know in the trade who might be interested. If we get a good turn out, we will be back!
You're coming to my town last. Will anything be left?
Yes! We work hard to keep the shows well stocked. We carry back-stock with us in our truck, plus ship additional stock frequently & bring even more in luggage when changing road crews.
Required ID
- A postcard, flyer or print out from us, addressed to you, inviting you to the show, or
- Your resale tax ID (copy of your state business license or permit), or
- Your Rings & Things customer number
If you do not bring your resale tax ID number you will have to pay tax.
We recommend bringing a pocket calculator. Many people wish they had one, once at the show.
Bead-store owners, click here.
Call us at 1 (800) 366-2156 if you have any questions!
Return to the main Bead Show page.
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Unique Bead Show Finds
Below is a sampling of "cash & carry" stock we've recently sent to our Bead Shows.
Warning: We may no longer have these exact items by the time we make it to your area. Nevertheless, we will always bring a variety of exciting and beautiful beads!
Dyed chalcedony gemstone beads:
Stick beads in kyanite, hematite, lavender amethyst, & picture jasper:
Cape amethyst and pastel dumortierite:
Purple creek jasper and American picture jasper:
Green pyrite and enhanced lapis:
Mexican sky jasper and orbicular jasper:
Sunstone beads:
Seraphinite beads:
Black banded agate beads:
See something you like?
Be sure to catch a Bead Show!
Return to the main Bead Show page.
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