The Armour Archive

Hey y'all (ye all on this site ??)
I am exploring a net based business in selling full sized and miniature sets of reproduced armor item (shields, helemts, cloaks, etc) in conjunction with other coat-of-arms items (x-stitch, plaques, decals, etc).
SInce I am not much of an artist this might be a chance for clubs to do a little fund raising.
As I say, right now this is purely exploratory, so what I like to hear is
interest level from artisans, estimated (or solid) prices and time from order to delivery to me in Oregon. I'd likely add 5-10 percent for getting the outfit collected, packed and sent to customer which is pretty nominal in today's world If you are interested please detail as much info as you can send me about what you would like to do.
My first step is going to be to compile a list of resources whch would include you. As I go I'll communicate with you, find out more details and try to arrive at pricing that would make each of you competetive with each other in pricing and find out who i can count on for good workmanship on what items customers need. I will not accept shoddy work as it is just a boomerang sale for me and for you (it'll eventually return to the thrower). You and I both want solid reputations in this
My replies to you may initially be slow until I get a bit further into this but I will reply to each of you who has a real e-mail of interest.
If I am stepping on toes here, in regard to commercial use of what you do, I don't mean to so save the flames. Silence will say just as much and save your fingertips
Thanx

Here's my advice:

It seems to be a rather dicey thing these days for customers to get their products, and communication about those products, on time and on budget when they deal directly with the armourers. Throwing a middle man into the works is just going to make things worse. The only way I could see your service working, in terms of armour, is if you acted as a reseller of pre-made, "off the peg" armour. If you intend to act as a broker for custom work, you are going to end up with a customer service nightmare on your hands.

The armourers with good reputations and skills don't need a marketing middle-man to get thier goods to market - most of them have 6+ month backlogs as it is. The ones without good reputations and skills you don't want to deal with.

Steve

If you are looking just to sell others armour, and can find the supply that, you can stock from, will be the only safe way of doing that. Don't backorder them just what you have on hand. As for minitures 1/4 scale, I am already starting that and have some already out. History is my aim and I'm working with my son so he can do the SCA armour.
The real problem with armourers is that when they get sick or hurt, production stops, or if they have family problems ect production stops.
This is the most problems with armourers.

That is why being a middle man could become a real pain.

I use to sell to Ice Falcon, it was just supose to be stock, but after a wile it started being custom for this or that. and ended the sells to Ice Falcon. That is what Ice falcon was doing to keep his stock. If you need more advise talk to Sir Andreas and he should be able to give you advise.

Unless people want to come to my shop for custom, they can only buy what I make extra to stock. No long distance custom orders here.


I hope this helped
AB Hammer