Just wanted to let those interested know about a conversation I had today with the owner of a plating shop here in Florida. I brought some pieces there for quote and some items for plating.
Interesting when you hear how much these business pay for things to support the shop. Plating businesses have it pretty tough with fluctuating material costs. I can appreciate how tough it must be to keep prices for our plating needs reasonable, yet be profitable enough to make payroll, pay utilities, rent, etc, etc. I cannot imagine if these business here in the US were gone.
Example: This week they paid $12,000.00 for 2 drums of nickel. Last time they bought it it was under $6000.00. Nickel fluctuates like gold, silver and other precious metals. In order to keep their prices consistent for customers, they have to adjust the item cost with a fee, like a surcharge, to adjust for the fluctuations in material costs. This must be a nightmare to track.
Copper is another story in itself. The owner told me that the copper prices will be affected by the earthquake results in Chile, where most of our copper comes from. Story Here. Obviously we will pay more for that too, even though we'll never see it because it's under the nickel and the chrome.
Obviously, we as customers are affected by these higher business costs. If you're planning to have chrome done, now may be the time.
Rich
Interesting when you hear how much these business pay for things to support the shop. Plating businesses have it pretty tough with fluctuating material costs. I can appreciate how tough it must be to keep prices for our plating needs reasonable, yet be profitable enough to make payroll, pay utilities, rent, etc, etc. I cannot imagine if these business here in the US were gone.
Example: This week they paid $12,000.00 for 2 drums of nickel. Last time they bought it it was under $6000.00. Nickel fluctuates like gold, silver and other precious metals. In order to keep their prices consistent for customers, they have to adjust the item cost with a fee, like a surcharge, to adjust for the fluctuations in material costs. This must be a nightmare to track.
Copper is another story in itself. The owner told me that the copper prices will be affected by the earthquake results in Chile, where most of our copper comes from. Story Here. Obviously we will pay more for that too, even though we'll never see it because it's under the nickel and the chrome.
Obviously, we as customers are affected by these higher business costs. If you're planning to have chrome done, now may be the time.
Rich
At least I hand carry everything so I save on shipping costs 2 ways. I just try too do other shopping when I'm up there to optimize the trip, apx 25 miles from home.
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