Should I Offer My Pendants Both With and Without Chains?

Please come on over to my new website:

Jewelry Making Journal

I've got lots cool new things for you there - including
my videos, a unique tutorial, and Jewelry Business Insider interviews.

See you there!

- Rena Klingenberg

Should I Offer My Pendants Both With and Without Chains?

by Newbie

I am just starting to make jewelry and initially assumed I would sell my pendants on their sterling silver chains. But now I wonder whether I should offer the pendants by themselves also as a way to have a less expensive product to offer.

I'd be interested in hearing whether people always sell their pendants on chains or whether they also offer the pendants by themselves.

Ideally, I would like to offer them only on their chains because I have picked out the chains (sterling silver) that go well with the pendant.

Thanks,
Newbie

Comments for
Should I Offer My Pendants Both With and Without Chains?

Click here to add your own comments

Selling pendants with something to hang them on?
by: Rena

Welcome, Newbie! :o) Thanks so much for joining us here.

I always display my pendants without any chain, cord, etc. But right next to my pendants I also display a selection of chains in three lengths, plus cords in a variety of colors.

You can see my explanation of why I do that in Pendants - Sell with a Chain or Separately?.

However, that's not necessarily what will work best for you. I suggest you experiment and see what makes your pendants sell best. At one show, display them on their chains; at the next show, display them separately.

You'll soon see which way works best for your particular jewelry and customers.

In my case, the majority of my pendants - probably 75% or more - are sold without chains or cords. Most of my customers already have favorite chains or cords they like to use, and prefer to simply change out the pendants on them. Also, many of my customers have become such regular buyers of my pendants over the years that it wouldn't make sense for them to have separate chains for all of them.

However, your customers may feel differently, so it's always a good idea to test.

You might also just ask the people who come to your booth which way they prefer to buy pendants. I've found that most people appreciate being asked about their preferences, and are happy to tell you what works best for them.

I wish you every success as you embark on your new jewelry business! Take care, have fun, and be sure to keep us posted on your progress!

Pendants and chain
by: Susanna Originals

This is opinion only, since I've just opened my own online shop, but I agree that some people have many chains and don't need more. I solved that possibility with my own pendants by offering each pendant with a free silver plated chain, or a sterling chain for an extra $10.

To Chain or Not To Chain
by: Anonymous

Yep, I know what you are talking about Newbie:D
Several years ago I made the decision to price my pendants without chains. I then offer a free cord or Sterling Silver Chains for an up charge. So many of my customers have their own favorite chain so they really don't need another chain. I display some of my pieces on chains and others without. Putting a few on chains lets them know it is a pendant not a pin and it makes it easier for them to try them on.

On a similar note, I make sure that some of my pendants fit on Omega Chains, these are much thicker than an average snake chain. Many ladies have pruchased an Omega Chain and look for "slides" that fit on them. If you can tell them that your pendants fit on an Omega Chain that might help your sales too!

Best of Luck!
Jen

pendant cords/chains
by: Barbara

At first I sold just pendants, but the fact is, the majority of people won't buy them. I've now put adjustable black waxed cotton cords on all of my pendants, the kind with the sliding slip knot -- which most people haven't seen, but really appreciate the idea once I show them how it works.

I used to use black leather, but it's getting more and more expensive to buy decent quality that won't crack and deteriorate within a few months and was starting to cost more than the pendants! Black waxed cotton is functional and costs me very little as I buy the cord in 50 metre or 100 metre rolls and I have 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm and 3mm -- which covers all sizes of pendants for men and women, and the pendants are ready to wear. Pay attention to the quality -- you want a tight weave to the cording. The cheaper stuff comes raggedy and frayed right off the roll.

I also carry a small selection of different lengths of sterling chain if people want something fancier/pricier for a gift.

I'd started putting jump rings in all of my plain turquoise pendants and good stone pendants which were pinned to a display board. But I've found people don't want to wait for me to put a cord on, especially if it's busy -- I sell far more now that they're "ready to wear".

B

Use chains as a Thank You
by: Ann Nolen

Hi,

I agree with everyone here, most people buy my pendants without a chain since they already have a favorite at home. I do offer some nice silver plated chains in my booth for $5.00 each, much more than my wholesale cost but reasonable compared to what the stores charge. This gives customers an inexpensive option, and often people will only buy a chain since they have been looking for one for some other jewelry they have.
I have found that I can offer an incentive by offering a free chain to a customer if they seem to on the fence about buying something. The wholesale price of the chains is so low, this does not hurt my profit to do this. People like an added bonus, and this has been pretty effective.
When I sell my pendants on my online store, I do not advertise that it includes a chain. Instead I send it with a note saying it is a "thank you" for their purchase.
I also offer a small selection of more expensive chains and cords, so there is a little something for everyone.
Like a mentor told me years ago... "it is all in the presentation."

offer pendant with chain?
by: Anonymous

Hi -Commenting as a consumer. I love to see pendants on chains for the visual effect. And I also want the option to buy with or without a chain. You sometimes see so many pendants together in their display case, that their "wow" factor can be lost. Seeing them displayed on a chain can really catch my eye. Or, just hanging at different lengths on ribbons, etc. Hope this helps!

With or Without Chains…
by: DC Smith

I have been doing shows now since 2004 and have found that many clients will ask how much I would take off a design if sold without the chain. It's a option I always offer. I have a number of pendant designs that are offered and priced without chains, but I also have a display of chains nearby in case they also need the chain. That works really well, although if anyone actually took the time to add it up, the pendants with the chains price out the same as the ones without the chains if they buy the chain too. So no income is lost, but they have the option. Also, having chains of different lengths is a good idea these days as women get heavier. Standard length is 18" but some woment aren't comfortable with that length, so having longer (and shorter) alternatives you can switch out is also important.
Good luck with your endeavors!

Chain / No Chain - No Problem
by: Doug

I displayed both! The reason being is that you have to appease both types of shoppers, those that don't know what they want and those that do.

I have 4 display trays laying flat, organized by color and I have about 60 on leather and voile hanging.

Let me say I hate hanging them, especially since I do mostly stones. I get a lot of "bowling for jewelry" shoppers who love to let them go and swing into other ones.

I use wire storage shelves, stacked in two high - three wide configuration and suspend the necklaces from the top of each row. Works great.

For my items I display on Sterling, I have a black velvet t-bar.

Something for everyone.

Success to you!

Doug
www.JDKellyJewelry.com

Just started selling pendants...
by: Naomi

I just started selling pendants (wrapped cabs and Tree of Life) at my last show. I displayed most of them on a jewelry tray, secured with hooks made of scrap wire (so customers could pick them up). I also had a ramp with the available styles of cords and chains next to it with a price tag ($2 each). One of each style of pendant was strung, one on a chain and one on a cord, and displayed slightly behind and to either side of the pendants on a neck form.
I found that most people buying for themselves bought only the pendant (or just the chain!), but customers buying gifts for other people bought a pendant with a chain (or cord).
Therefore, I would mix displays - have some pendants displayed alone, and some on chains. Alternatively, as another person suggested, string them all, but offer a small discount for people buying the pendant alone.
I hope that helps!

"Bowling for jewellery"
by: Barbara

Love that! It's exactly right. I also have a problem if I put things separately in gift boxes flat on the table that people -- adults, not kids -- come along and mindlessly lift-drop, lift-drop, lift-drop as if they were in Wal-Mart -- and they're not even looking while they do it! Then I have to come along and straighten all the pieces up, and who knows when the last time was since they washed their hands!?! Consequently I no longer have very many pieces flat in boxes, just a few to give the idea that I do have boxes for gift-giving.

That's the problem, innit? People need to be able to hold something up and examine it, but not gum it up or destroy it in the process.

B

Choices are prefferable.
by: James

I think customers should have the choice of chain as well as the choice of Penant. So I would sell them together for a discount price.
Example

CHoice of Chain $15
Choice of Pendant $30

My Choice Set $40 a saving of $5

With chains or without
by: Lisa W.

I think it's hard to tell exactly which way is better, with chains or without, or giving a choice, until you set it up and try it. I noticed that people didn't buy my pendants until they were on chains, so that is how I always present them now. I would love to sell just pendants;stocking sterling chains in a variety of sizes is costly. I put in $200 orders for silver chains a few times a year.

Very few customers ask me if they can purchase without the chain, and I will always offer a little off. But if you do this, be careful about how you price your pieces with and without chains; it's easy to fall into a trap that can cost you money. For example, the wholesale cost of your chain might be $5, and you sell your $75 pendant with a chain for $80, as a service to the customer. But your customer notices that you sell chains for $10, and she asks, reasonably, for a $10 discount on the pendant without a chain. If you agree, you have just sold a $75 pendant for $70. It's easy to fall into that trap if you don't price carefully.

A great solution I have started investigating is low-cost neck wires. At least for my lower end pieces, they help keep the price down, and I can offer a sterling chain for $10 if they prefer. I suggest you settle on a method you are comfortable with, and try it out. Make adjustments as you go, and good luck!