hope
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2008
Posts: 477 
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Post by hope on Nov 13, 2008 22:45:56 GMT -5
Has anyone bought any Lortone stuff from anyone that they were pleased service and pricewise? I am looking to buy their Olympic 10 polishing machine and maybe their small tumbler with ss shot.
Hope
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fanatic
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since October 2007
Posts: 233
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Post by fanatic on Nov 14, 2008 6:26:56 GMT -5
Rock Shed
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hope
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2008
Posts: 477
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Post by hope on Nov 20, 2008 22:33:24 GMT -5
I emailed the Rock Shed to ask for a price on a Lortone Olympic 10 polisher and I got no reply. Anyone know of anyone else that handles Lortone at a competitive price.
Has anyone purchased fro Minnesota Lapidary Supply. They have a price on the internet, but it looks like you can't buy on the internet. I guess you got to call them.
Hope
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Post by johnjsgems on Nov 20, 2008 23:00:54 GMT -5
Funny timing. I e-mailed both Rock Shed and Minn. Lapidary the other day with questions about their polish compounds. Never heard from Rock Shed (I even mentioned I've been referring Lortone customers and Thumler's since I dropped them based on favorable comments on this forum). MLS answered same day and we messaged each other back and forth. The owner (Val) even called to get more information for my shipping quote. I really hate it when a company has a website and can't be bothered answering e-mails.
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Post by johnjsgems on Nov 20, 2008 23:30:13 GMT -5
Hope, I don't know if they answer e-mails or not but Kingsley-North is also a Lortone dealer and has low prices. Don't know how their customer service is. I met the owner at Tucson once. He seemed like a nice person for whatever that is worth.
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Post by Titania on Nov 21, 2008 9:06:09 GMT -5
Hope, I don't know if they answer e-mails or not but Kingsley-North is also a Lortone dealer and has low prices. Don't know how their customer service is. I met the owner at Tucson once. He seemed like a nice person for whatever that is worth. My experiences with Kinglsley-North have always been very positive. They ship quickly and prices are very reasonable. |
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hope
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2008
Posts: 477
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Post by hope on Nov 21, 2008 15:33:18 GMT -5
Thanks for the info John and Titania.
I just ordered from Kingsley-North. They were 40 dollars cheaper than MLS and 64 dollars cheaper than Indian Jewelers.
In stock and closer too my location so the shipping will be cheaper than the others also.
John I checked out your website a few days ago and found you did not carry Lortone. I will get you on something else in the future.
Thanks again,
Hope
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Post by johnjsgems on Nov 21, 2008 21:18:58 GMT -5
Hope, I have the website and do gem & mineral shows full time. Lortone has a policy of only dealers with a fixed location store open at least 3 days a week. I carried Thumler's until recently but dropped them for several reasons. I only carry the pricey but professional duty Covington tumblers now.
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hope
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2008
Posts: 477
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Post by hope on Nov 21, 2008 21:52:14 GMT -5
I guess Lortone has not quite made it fully into the internet world. I don't have a store within normal driving distance to go to buy any lapidary supplies, rocks etc. I need to buy everything either on the internet or by telephone. I only get to walk into a lapidary store when I take a major trip. I just bought from a store in Michigan and I most likely will never walk into their store. Oh, well.
Hope
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Post by johnjsgems on Nov 22, 2008 9:24:26 GMT -5
I tried to convince Lortone but their attitude was "it doesn't have to make sense, it's our policy". We do a lot of shows in 5 or 6 different states. We see typically a minimum of 500 people at a show. There is no way I would ever get 500 customers show up in a weekend in Newberry Springs. Lapidary/rock shops are not easy to find anywhere. We take our store to the customer.
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DeanW
has rocks in the head
Member since December 2007
Posts: 721
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Post by DeanW on Nov 23, 2008 2:27:22 GMT -5
One possible reason for Lortone's policy is to try and limit the lowballing on price and customer service. Often times internet-only (read, practically zero overhead) places come-and-go so quickly that the lack of service could hurt Lortone's reputation and try to survive with lower margins thus hurting other (probably long-time) dealers.
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Post by johnjsgems on Nov 23, 2008 8:19:41 GMT -5
DeanW, that's a good point. Margins are very slim to compete againt the internet only sites.
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1rockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 286
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Post by 1rockhound on Nov 23, 2008 11:43:05 GMT -5
John, what I did a couple of years ago with Leatherman which had the same rule. I rented a small commercial office of about 300sq.ft for $150 month and I had my retail location. I did not advertise that I was opened as I did all my sales online. As long as you are in your office 3 days a week and you have a commercial location you should be able to play this little loop hole.
Just an idea, I don't know if lortone products will be profitable enough to offset the cost of this or not.
Jason
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Post by johnjsgems on Nov 23, 2008 23:26:56 GMT -5
Jason,
I was home for a week last week. I think that is the longest "visit" this year. We are literally on the road doing shows full time.
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Post by stonesthatrock on Nov 25, 2008 20:21:44 GMT -5
hope do you need some tumble mix for the new machine? i have 3 nice boxes for only $1.00 a lb.
(wink)
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Post by Tweetiepy on Nov 26, 2008 11:49:42 GMT -5
I had bought a Lortone cabber from a supplier here in Canada. When I had problems with it, I got service directly from Lortone. They were fabulous for a quick reply as well as excellent service - they know their stuff. I had problems with my arbor shaft rusting and causing my bearings to rust as well. They solved the problem -- at no charge-- and explained how to fix it. They have since replaced the arbor with a stainless steel one.
Their service is very good from my experience
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hope
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2008
Posts: 477
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Post by hope on Nov 26, 2008 19:47:20 GMT -5
Sorry, Mary Ann, the tumbler is for silver jewelry, not rocks. Please don't get me started on another project that requires more equipment. lol
Hope
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Post by stonesthatrock on Nov 26, 2008 20:18:12 GMT -5
ohhhhhhhh ok i won't lol
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hope
spending too much on rocks
Member since May 2008
Posts: 477
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Post by hope on Dec 1, 2008 21:58:17 GMT -5
Got my Lortone buffer from Kingsley North. It was a super price and they were very nice folks to work with.
Hope
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