Re: Ruby Red, busted glass

To: neon-l@netcom.com
Subject: Re: Ruby Red, busted glass
From: kenny@neonshop.com (Kenneth Greenberg)
Date: Wed, 27 Sep 1995 09:14:28 -0400
Reply-To: neon-l@netcom.com
Sender: owner-neon-l@netcom.com
>Last week I just sold a job where the customer wants ruby red.  I love 
>that colored glass, but it has sure made my life hell at times.
>
>This morning, I received a UPS shipment from Dallas (there are no glass
>tubing suppliers in Austin).  I basically received a poorly-packed tube of
>red powder.  I had ordered 10 sticks of Technolux ruby (about $140 worth). 
>I refused the shipment, but I know UPS doesn't cover glass, and I'm sure
>I'll be hearing something soon from the supplier.  I usually get the "if
>it breaks it's yours" line whenever I order this stuff. 
>
>That's a shame, as I sure like ruby - and if it were just a little bit 
>cheaper I could really sell alot of it.  I don't know  how good of a deal 
>the rest of you get on it, but my best price here in Austin (from 
>Houston, SA, or Dallas) is about 16.00 per stick.


N. Glantz, (not the cheapest distributor by any means) lists it at about 
$300 a carton which has about 30 sticks. I see your nearest Glantz in Tulsa 
and in Anaheim.  EGL's Accuwall is pretty much the same quality.  Other than 
the old Corning beauties and some German ruby that was available in the 80s, 
Technolux and EGL are the most trouble free. Then again, we can try 
pressuring my friend Kevin to going back to making  his own copper ruby 
which really was the best. (and possibly a heck of a lot cheaper)

>
>This whole thing with the broken tubing has really made me ruby-shy 
>again.  Does anyone else have this sort of delima?  Are you able to get 
>insured freight?  And anything better than full-list-price 16.00?  I 
>especially am curious about Ted, (being in Hawaii).
>
>    -John Anderson
>
>
>PS:  What would YOU do in this situation:  refuse to pay because the 
>shipment arrived dammaged (and poorly packed, IMO), or fork over the 
>bucks since they said "if it breaks it's yours"?

I fortunately don't have to deal with incoming shipment. I have shipped a 
lot of neon out.  UPS has paid when there is clear damage to the box itself. 
My feeling is that this is between supplier and shipper.  You'd probably 
have your best leverage, if you can open the package immediately on delivery 
(or at least shake it and then refuse it).  My experience with Technolux is 
that they are highly honorable, and might in fact be interested in learning 
that a shipment arrived this way.

Kenny


Kenny Greenberg   Neon Artist, Scenic Specialist, Columnist - Internet World
c/o KRYPTON NEON 34-43 Vernon Blvd Long Island City, NY 11106
      Ph: 718-728-4450   Fx: 718-728-7206  Email: kenny@neonshop.com
      http://www.neonshop.com    gopher://gopher.panix.com:70/11/nyart