Joseph's Blog

Monday, 6 August 2008

Grit Shipped. The rest of the grit was shipped to me today.

Monday, 4 August 2008

Order paid for. The co-op has been paid for. Shipment of the grit to me is expected very soon.

Friday, 1 August 2008

Is the economy that bad? Participation in the co-op this year was only about 15% what it has been in the past, and it was better advertized than ever before. With such low volume this year I'm paying out of pocket to cover the difference between the projected volume discount and the discount that we actually received. (Good thing I have a barrel of medium grit left over from last year.)

Monday, July 25th 2008

Polish. Polish arrived today. Also received crazy lace agate and amythest for inclusion in premium grade tumble mix.

Monday, July 21st 2008

Polish. Ordered polish today based on amount needed in previous years. It shipped today as well!

Thursday, July 17th 2008

Ready, Set, Go! Mailed postcards. Finalized pricing as follows:

• 20 Lbs Coarse = $40
• 10 Lbs Medium = $20
• 5 Lbs Pre-Polish = $17
• 2 Lbs Alumina Polish = $12
• Shipping = $20 for 1 bag of each
• Complete set including shipping = $112

Trying to Find Better Pricing. Delayed mailing postcards while I contacted many other suppliers looking for better pricing. Wasn't able to find better pricing than offered by our long-term supplier.

Co-op Started. Called supplier today and received up to date quote. (Startled me how much prices have gone up: especially shipping.) Calculated costs. Listed items on web site. Preparing post cards for mailing.

The way most people use grit/polish I recommend:

• 20# coarse
• 10# Medium
• 5# Pre-polish
• 2# polish

The amounts listed above are sufficient for 40 batches in a 3# tumbler, or 10 batches in a 12# tumbler, if you use coarse like the average person by sometimes repeating a batch in coarse, or combining several batches of coarse stones into one batch of medium.

These amounts also provide the most cost effective shipping rate. (2 flat-rate boxes filled to capacity.) 10# medium or coarse take up 1/2 of a flat-rate box. 5# pre-polish and 2# polish take up 1/2 of a flat-rate box.

The co-operative purchase got started some years ago when 3 rock shops in my area pooled our money to get a volume discount on an order for 500 pounds of grit. We haven't yet finalized this year's order, but it is expected to be at least 3000 pounds of grit and polish. Wow! Thanks for participating.