Question:
I just got my Fire Mountain Gems catalog in yesterday's mail and am a bit
overwhelmed with all they offer. I have just over a month to get enough
pieces together to offer in a craft show at our local festival. I know there
are many places I can order beads and findings. Have any of you ordered from
Fire Mountain, and if so, were you happy with the price and service? Also,
are there cheaper outlets for findings? I found their prices to be
acceptable, but I try to save money where I can. Any info or suggestions
would be welcome, as I'm relatively new to all this.
Also, I've finished a few sets so far, and hope to have pictures to show in
a few days
Answer:
-I have been ordering from them and Rio Grande. I like FireMtn quite a bit.
Very helpful over the phone and via email. I had been using them for over a
year and have not had any problems. I use Rio Grande for more gold, gems.
But i find FireMtn to be great for beads, silver, other findings.
-Fire Mtn Gems was the first mail order I used for beading since San
Diego has some good bead shops. I have found their service to be great,
their prices good and competitive. I usually buy when I can buy lots of
stuff to save on shipping. There were few things I did not buy because
their lot sizes were just too big for me so I went elsewhere and was
not as happy with the quality. They answer emails and confirm orders
fast. Everything is nicely packaged and quickly received. I have been
happy with them.
Their catalog has lots of nice examples of what you can do with their
items. I have cut some of them out and placed them in my "dream"
folders for future reference. Their web page is quite good too.
Overall, I have been happy with them but I know some folks on this
group would not agree with me.
I have the catalogs from Rio Grande and their stuff is quite nice, not
sure on the prices but have not yet ordered from them yet. I had to pay
$25 for the catalogs and am somewhat anxious to use the $25 "gift
certificate" they give when they send the catalogs.
I think that Fire Mtn Gems has a bad selection for tools/pliers, etc. I
wanted to buy something in between the cheapies and Lindstroms and they
did not have it. I will try Rio Grande for those items I think.
Fire Mtn has a good selection of storage stuff too.
