50% Off (half price) Scams

50% off – WHAT A BARGAIN! – NOT!

Have you ever wondered how the major jewellery retailers can have a ‘half price‘ sale every two weeks and NOT go out of business?

We will lift the lid on these legal but immoral practices that are designed to fool the consumer (you) into thinking that you got a great deal when in fact you didn’t.

Fact 1

Retailers buy direct from a manufacturer or wholesaler and ‘mark up’ the price of the item to sell in their retail business.

This occurs in all businesses and the price mark up has to pay for the running costs of the business.

Running costs include rents, wages, power bills, telephones, advertising etc.

A business operates to produce a profit, so the sales must outweigh the costs.

Charging for labour, or making a ‘margin’ on sales are the two most frequent ways for a business to run at a profit.

Fact 2

Retailers regularly selling goods at 50% off ARE NOT losing money on the sale. *in 99% of cases unless clearing items that don’t sell etc.

This means the ‘regular’ price is incredibly inflated above the cost of the product they pay to the manufacturer or wholesaler.

Fact 3

For an item to be sold at 50% off, and not lose money, the store must AT LEAST double their own cost; just to break even.

Think about this (where the retailer often has 50% off sales):

This doesn’t happen

• Buy a widget for $100 from the manufacturer.


• Price tag it for $200 for sale in your store.


• Profit to store $100.

• Buy a widget for $100 from the manufacturer.


• Price tag it for $200 for sale in your store.


• Have a 50% off sale and sell the widget for $100.


• Profit to store $0.00 – Really, why would you do this?

This does happen

• Buy a widget for $100 from the manufacturer.


• Price tag it for $400 for sale in your store. As a minimum.


• Profit to store $300.

• Buy a widget for $100 from the manufacturer.


• Price tag it for $400 for sale in your store.


• Have a 50% off sale and sell the widget for $200.


• Profit to store $100.00 –  This is what really happens.

Fact 4

The first jewellery manufacturer I dealt with supplied a very large national retailer of jewellery exactly the same jewellery I was buying (at the same price).

They would ship directly to the retailers’ central warehouse, from where the jewellery would be shipped out to the individual stores.

The manufacturer was provided with the retailers branded price tags and pre-priced the jewellery for the retailer (at the price they were told by the retailer)

What absolutely stunned me at the time was the REAL markup that the retailer was applying to the jewellery they were selling.

I saw silver chains with retail price tags of $350.00 being packaged for the stores. These same silver chains were costing me $50.00 from the factory.

This means that the store was making a profit of $300 on a chain that cost them just $50.00 on a day to day basis.

This means that the store was making a profit of $125.00 on a chain that cost them just$50.00 during their 50% off sales.

 

Next time you’re tempted into buying something because it is ONLY half price, you may wish to consider if that retailer often has half price sales; and if so, do you really want to support a business that will rip you off blind every other day of the year?

 

 

50% Off (half price) Scams

About Chain Me Up

Chain Me Up has emerged in the jewellery market as an expert in custom-made jewellery chains and charms made in solid gold, silver and sterling silver.

In early 2010, Chain Me Up was just a small online store selling a limited variety of gold and silver chains for bracelets, anklets and necklaces. Ross Fraser is the founder of Chain Me Up, and his 10 years of experience working for a local chain manufacturer prompted him to open his very own jewellery store. His time as a computer technician meant that friends and family were always putting in requests for precious metal chains at the manufacturer’s price, so Ross was inspired to start his own business to provide them with gold and silver chains at affordable prices.

Chain Me Up originally specialized in just precious metal chains, but before long Ross gathered a few more manufacturers from his native Australia into the fold. Charms made of solid 9ct gold and sterling silver were added to the lineup of products. Each charm is original and handmade, but the initial count of different styles was only 700. After finding another producer, the selection quickly grew to almost 4000 charm styles. In order to make charm bracelets more customisable, Chain Me Up started to offer open or closed jump rings as an option for attaching charms to bracelets.

More requests for different options came in, and parrot clasps were added as well because they allow the customer to attach and reattach charms to different bracelets with ease. Link locks became another popular option because customers could assemble their charm bracelet on their own and securely lock the charms in place without having to pay a jeweler to do it. Shoppers who wanted to turn charms into earrings were able to do so with the addition of shepherd hooks. The shepherd hooks acted as earring findings and were added to the choice of fittings when ordering charms.

As if these options weren’t varied enough, every chain and charm is orderable in yellow, rose or white gold, and also in sterling silver. This wide variety of choices can’t be seen in traditional high street shops. Being able to customise orders to this degree has become Chain Me Up’s main focus. The company prides itself in supplying customers with high quality precious metal jewellery, affordable prices and reasonable delivery time frames. The sheer number of choices means that there’s a certain wait time for each order, but the level of customisation Chain Me Up provides is worth the time it takes.

Over the years, more selection and store items have been added to the product range. More and more options are added every year. The most recent additions are the selection of pendants and bangles requested by some of Chain Me Up’s returning customers. After being impressed by the service they received and requesting these items, Chain Me Up came through and now offers over 550 pendants and 100 bangle designs available with precious and semi-precious gemstones.

When trading began, Chain Me Up’s two main objectives were simple. Number one was to have the widest product range possible in order to meet customers’ needs and individual tastes. Every request is important; if a customer asks for a necklace that’s 95cm long, they should be able to get it. This dedication to customers is one of the main differences between Chain Me Up and other jewellery stores that only offer jewellery as is at a set price. True, strange requests have been asked of Chain Me Up, but rare is the occasion where a request cannot be filled.

The second objective was to stay true to Australian heritage and stock only local products. Since their opening, Chain Me Up has worked with quite a few different manufacturers, some of which have come and gone as the market continues to shrink. However, over 95% of Chain Me Up’s stock is made locally, while only 5% is from overseas suppliers. A little creativity and ingenuity was needed to find local manufacturers, as other jewellery companies tend to play things close to the vest. A company’s suppliers are practically trade secrets.

In order to grow their product line and offer even more variety, new manufacturers who produced products Chain Me Up hadn’t yet stocked were found. Chain Me Up’s reluctance to stock rings was merely because of the difficulty of properly sizing the ring for the customer. Luckily, some simple recoding allowed the company to provide an online ring sizing application, as well as new and improved e-commerce software for customising size, material, length and clasp type.

Chain Me Up’s customer base consists of satisfied, returning customers who make sure to recommend the retailer to friends and family. New customers shop their selection daily. Online chat and phone support are available from 8am to 8pm on any day of the week. Chain Me Up’s dedicated customer service representatives are ready and willing to answer any questions you may have.

About Chain Me Up

Real Customer Service

Fantastic service, great product,

I ordered a chain and received a call not long after from one of the members of staff who was processing my order. He enquired about the size necklace I was after (custom order) and said it would be too small and advised another size. Turns out he was correct, and the new size fits like a dream. I was so grateful for the call, and pleased to see they care about customer service: they could have just taken my money and made the wrong size. Have used this company for a while for silver chains – and will keep coming back.

Serena

Hi there,

just wanted to let you know that I received my order today and I am very pleased with the charms. Thank you.

Kind regards,

Linda

Morning Ross,

Just got back from picking up my charms. As I was expecting no dissapointment. I love them. Now my partner will link them up to my bracelet. Many thanks. Will definately keep in touch.

Anabella Jarmine.;)

Hello Ross,

Necklace arrived at noon today, Glenda say’s to thank you for your efforts and that she is delighted with her 50th wedding anniversary present [ she was able to wear it at our special luncheon today ].

Kind Regards,

Mervyn

I received the 5 link locks yesterday. Prompt and reliable service. I’m impressed with the wide range of your products. I will definitely shop with you in the future. Most of all I’m interested in bracelet charms. I wish more businesses offered service you provide.

Anabelle Jarmine. happy customer.:)

Good Afternoon

My chain arrived this morning, I love it. Regards

Pauline.

Ross

Thank you very much for your help while ordering the links.surely will shop with you in the future. Had a look at your selection and I like it.your service was exceptional.

Anabelle.

Hi there,

Just to let you know I have received my beautiful love birds charm. Thank you so much for excellent customer service. Rest assured I shall return for future purchases.

Judy

Hi Graham,

received the chain this morning and could not be happier with it, beautiful & I will definitely be getting myself one next year & I will be passing your business onto friends and families! Thank you again and wish you and your family a very happy Christmas & New Years

Janine

Hi Fraser Ross

Just wish to advise that I have received my order and it is just beautiful. Very happy. Thank you.

Suzanne

Hi Ross

The beautiful cross arrived today and we are over the moon. It is really exactly what I wanted.

Many thanks and best wishes.

Diana Schofield

Hello – I purchased a white gold bracelet and charm from you some time ago and was very happy with my purchase.

I am buying this charm for my granddaughter and was hoping, if at all possible, to receive the charm by early next week.

Kind regards

Teresa

Hi Fraser Ross

Just a quick note to say I received my order today and I am absolutely thrilled with it.

I had been looking for years for a 9 ct. yellow gold pentagram. The workmanship is exquisite.

Thank you.

Suzanne

Delivered…just love my new chain…I have hung a giant heart and spinner onto the chain…looks wonderful!

Thank you Susan

Dear Ross

My parcel arrived safely this morning. I am really very grateful that you managed to get my order to me so quickly and in time for me to pack into my bags to take on holidays tomorrow. It is my daughter’s birthday while we are away so I have something very beautiful (and small) to give to her.

Our daughter has a lovely charm bracelet that her Dad gave to her when she was born and every year we buy her charms for her birthday to add to this bracelet. Each charm represents something wonderful or exciting that happened within that last year. It truly is a time capsule and a wonderful idea.

The charms from you are probably two of the best I have seen so I will no doubt be buying more from you in the future. Your range is quite extensive as well which makes buying the right charm for the right occasion so much easier.

So very big thank you for all of your help in getting these charms to me and in time. I have also appreciated you keeping me up to date with where my order was so I had no need to stress about it at all. Thank you also for pushing your suppliers to ensure my order was filled. It really has been so nice of you.

Thanks again and kind regards

Elizabeth Mackie

Hi,

I received my order yesterday. Many thanks for excellent customer service. I am very happy with the final product.

Allison

Hi Ross,

Just letting you know I received my order today. All good, thanks very much and the Gold Care Kit gift is a nice touch and much appreciated. It will come in handy.

Kind regards,

Carmen

Hi Ross,

Just wanted to let you know that the chain arrived today and it is exactly what i was after! Thank you so much for your help and speedy responses.

Cheers,

Anne

Thanks again for your personal service. The charms you sent me in November last year were just perfect and they arrived in record time for my daughter’s birthday!

Kind regards,

Sally Wood

Thanks very much for the speedy delivery Ross.

Received the charms last week, but was delayed getting to the post office.

They look great.

David.

Hi there,

I just wanted to thank you for your wonderful products and service. My 9ct pentagram charm arrived today and it’s beautiful! Very happy!

Thanks again, have a great weekend.

Regards

Michelle

Dear Ross,

Thank you for sending my order. It arrived yesterday and I am very happy with it. This charm has been purchased in memory of my husband and I am sure he would have been very pleased with the detail on the bike.

Regards Diane Smiles.

Dear Ross

Thank you for the information. The last charms I purchased were for a special purpose. My mum passed away in New Zealand and my sister and I could not get to see her before she passed. My sister was very close to mum so I made her a little hanging of crystals and in it I wove the knitting, reading, flower and doll charms as these were all things my mother loved.

My sister has hung it up where she can see it.

It was good to create something with personal meaning from these charms.

I was so happy to find them among your products.

Kind regards

Jocelyn

Hello Ross,

I wish every success with your business you have truly given exceptional customer service and this I am very thankful for.

Kind regards

Denise Bowness

Love your products, my husband and sons found your site before I did so got me a charm for my birthday. Very happy with it and the other one that I recently purchased.

Thanks

Lois Wilson

Received chain today. Am very happy with service and product. Will definitely buy from you again.

Thanks

Glenda

Thank you Chain Me Up I received my order and it is awesome

Cheers

Graham Waring

Thanks for my charm, received to-day.

I am very happy with it.

Please send me some of your pamphlets and I will put them on my work notice board.

Thanks Daphne Morgan

Dear Ross,

my purchase has arrived safely and it is EXACTLY as you described.

Thank you SO much!

I would love to leave some positive feedback for your wonderful customer service – how do I find the Customer Feedback page or do I just email you at this address?

Thank you so much – a ten year old niece will be VERY pleased!!

Cheers,

Barbra

Thank you for the charms I ordered. Loved them so much I’m replacing some older ones that aren’t as nice as yours!

Kim

Ross,

Thanks very much. It looks great!

Kind Regards,

James

Yes. Have received my items. Thank you they are lovely. Will be a returning customer for sure.

Stacey.

I recently purchased some charms for my bracelet from chain me up, I am sorry I did now as they make the ones I purchased from our local jewellers look cheap and nasty, the price was the same but the quality and size left the jewellers for dead, I was absolutely blown away with them, I wish I had found your web site much earlier. Thank you chain me up I will only buy my charms from you from now on.

Yvonne Ratcliffe

Hi.

It’s Beau-Marie Mann. I’ve received the necklace and it’s perfect.

Thank u.

Received my goods and I am very happy with them all, very good quality, the wait was well worth it. browsing for my next order thank you chain me up

Yvonne Ratcliffe

Hey Ross,

received the goods. Absolutely amazing thank you heaps. Looks amazing!

Alex

Thanks for your delivery.

On checking them I am very happy with my order.

Cheers Helen

Hi Ross

Just a quick note to let you know that the charm arrived today!

Thank you for your speedy service and for checking with me today that I had received it.

The Tea Pot charm is great – very happy – thank you!!

Regards

Yvette

Good afternoon Ross,

Thank you for your email, the charm arrived on Friday afternoon.

I appreciate the effort you put in getting this charm for me.

Bronwyn

Hi Ross,

Many thanks for speedy delivery on this. Arrived today. Very happy.

I was unable to find this in any Brisbane jewellery store.

Thanks Again

Andrew Skerman

Ross,

The chains have arrived already… Great work (both in product and service).

Geoff

Received my order yesterday and totally love them!!!!

Thank you very much. I will be back.

Hopefully you can help me find a boot similar to this one without the 4 figure price tag…. (Louis Vuitton)

Cass Jeffery

Hi Ross,

I’ve just received my chain and bracelet, they are beautiful, however I am wondering if they have been stamped 9ct, I can’t seem to find a stamp on the chains? There does appear to be a stamp on the clasp, but not on the chain, should the chains also be stamped?

Thanks,

Angela

(our reply) The clasp is the only place where a chain is hallmarked, most charms are also hallmarked, but some are too small. Nonetheless, they are 925 sterling silver or 9ct gold.

Thank you for your service Ross. The charms are lovely.

Thanks

Christine

Hi Ross,

Just wanted to say thanks, love it, its perfect. I may get a slightly smaller one made for the super skinny girls though. I also wondered if you could give me an indicative quote for the same thing in gold. Don’t mean to sound cheap but the cheapest option please!

Many thanks again and I will be in touch very soon.

Kind regards,

Lisa

Thanks Ross

Arrived today… looks great.

Thanks mate.

Dan

Ross,

thanx for the call.

Great, Best customer support,

Ever.

Thanks Mate.

Jez

Ross,

I just received my Charm (Baby booties). they are beautiful.

Thank you for your help with my order & the polishing cloth & keyring.

Heather Bowes.

Hi Ross,

Just letting you know the chain arrived this afternoon, safe and sound and signed for. My son loves it and the case was a surprise and very nice touch. Thank you!

Hope you have a good weekend,

Carmen

Received today and looks great. Thank you!

Rick Meredith

Hi Ross,

Just letting you know my order arrived today, thanks. I’m very happy with it, exactly what I was expecting.

Thanks again,

Carmen

wow my bangle is grrreat thankies beautiful

Viv

Hi Ross

The charms arrived yesterday and they are exactly what I ordered so thanks very much.

Regards

Martin Dutton

Hi Ross,

Got the chain, thanks so much, it looks great and she is so happy she can wear the pendant again.

Thanks again,

Andrew

Dear Ross,

Received the Mickey Mouse gold charm today and it’s absolutely gorgeous! Love the emails advising the status of delivery as well.

Will shop with you again.

Thanks, Leanne

Hi Ross,

received my chains yesterday – very speedy. Items are exactly what I wanted (it’s always a surprise to see how clean and bright silver is when it’s new, my current collection has that well-worn patina!) Thanks, great service and product as always,

kind regards,

Clare McElroy

Hi there,

I just wanted to thank you for the chain it is fantastic, thank you so much for getting it to me so quickly

I will be back again

Kind regards

Elli

Hi ross recieved my wifes package on the 14/5,Thanks heaps for the great service my wife was stoked when she opened it look forward to shopping with you again,Have told all our friends and family about your great store

Regards

Dave L

To the Management and staff of Chain me up, I would like to say thankyou for the prompt delivery of the items that I ordered, they arrived on Friday afternoon, just in time for my sisters 60th Birthday, she was delighted with them and other guests asked of their origin, and of course I told them of Chain me up and their service.

With thanks

Margaret Weightman

Hi Ross,

received my order today. Thank you for your excellent service and prompt delivery.

regards

con

HI Ross,

Thank you so much for your help. I am very impressed with your customer service. I have told a lot of people about you guys so hopefully you will get some business from them.

Thanks Emma

Just to let you know that the chain and fob arrived on Friday. It is beautiful and we will be recommending you to our friends.

Kind regards

Andrew & Margaret

I just want to say thank you for the beautiful charms. i have never known such fast delivery especially at this time of the year. i will definately order from you again. Thank you so much.

Kind Regards

Lesley Armstrong

Hi Ross,

Just a quick note to let you know the chain arrived safe and sound this morning.

And it’s perfect!

Thanks so much,

Natasha

Hi There,

Just a quick note to say a huge thank you for your efforts to make sure my order arrived in time for a birthday. Your service and communication was fabulous. My order arrived in time and I was very happy with the product. I will be sure to let my friends know about your great service.

Thanks again

Linda

Hi, Sorry for the late feedback, the chains arrived when expected and are exactly what I wanted, the graduations work fantastically. The communication from you was great and the overall deal excellent value. I have no hesitation in recommending you to all my friends.

Many Thanks

Lynne

Hi,

I received my order today. I just wanted to let you know i am very pleased and i just made another order. My charm bracelet is looking great and will be finished with this final order. I will be recommending your sight (sic) to friends for sure.

Regards Jessica

Hello again,

Sorry I just missed your call.

Thank you for the effort you are putting in, but especially for following up & letting me know.

I also appreciate that you are being up front & not “promising me the Earth”!!!

I really hope it gets here in time, but if not, there’s not much we can do…

I’ll have to issue an IOU.

Anyway, thanks again & fingers crossed things go according to plan.

Cheers Ross,

Tiana.

Thank you for your prompt supply of my order. Received Friday, was as seen on website. very pleased with item.

Regards. D.Lynch

Hi Ross

Just wanted to thank you for the chain I ordered. I received it today and it was exactly what I was after. And you where right about the weight – it was about 3 or 4 grams heavier than estimated on your site. Great value compared to other jewellery stores! Anyway, appreciate the sale and service you provided me (including the email responses and phone call) and will definitely recommend your business to others and might have to buy myself a matching bracelet soon as well.

Thanks Again

Glen

Hello Ross

I received the gold chain today, my wife loves it, thanks very much. For interest, we visited some well known jewelers in Perth and none seemed capable or maybe interested in creating a gold chain of a specific length. All they wanted to do was to sell their standard shelf stock!

Once again thanks, the service was very good.

Regards

Rob

Hi Ross,

Just a quick email to let you know we got the chain, and (thankfully!) she loves it!

Thanks again,

Bryan

Morning Ross,

My order arrived yesterday and everything is perfect.

Those little chain charm holders are great and I hope to get some gold ones when I have tried them out a bit or I might have to order some more as gifts. They might be a hit at the markets.

Thanks Susan

Hello Ross,

Picked up my order from the post office. Everything great.

Thanks Sue

Hi Ross

I just wanted to let you know I got the chain yesterday. It looks great and thanks for the fantastic turnaround.

Rachel

Hello Ross,

The silver bracelet arrived yesterday – thank you so much.

It was a pleasure doing business with you – I expect you will be hearing from us again with another order. I will also be telling family and friends of your online store – you are doing a great job.

Good luck with it all.

Kind regards,

Renee Young

Feedback already left and you are wonderful, professional and a pleasure to do business with

Thanks & best regards,

David

Hi Ross,

The explanation is clear thank you. I also appreciated the phone call. Your Customer Care service has been excellent. As soon as I receive the chain I will be leaving a glowing feedback on the site…..

Thanks & best regards,

David

Hi Ross

Ok great I will go on your site and order the necklace today. Thanks for your help and your quick response to my enquiries.

Thanks again,

Rachel

---

 

These are some of the real comments left by our customers over the past few years. We work bloody hard to make sure every one of our customers is happy with our products and service. Maybe that’s why we get a lot of new customers by referrals from their friends and family.

Thank you to all of the people who have make the effort to leave feedback  for us.

Cheers

Ross

Real Customer Service