Business Scruples
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2014 5:37 am
New to screen printing on glass. I was given some Thompson's enamel, but after beginning I find, not enough. So this week I have been trying to find more Thompson's Enamel Series 7000(opaque)/6000(transparent) for working with Bullseye COE. I have called various distributors in my area (I didn't want to have to wait for shipping). One retailer's stock was just for metal Series 5000. Another was just for pottery. The last was for glass artists. I asked about the series carried and the business said it was 5000. I remarked that the series I needed for Bullseye glass or Spectrum was Series 7000. She said she didn't carry it and that she had been selling the 5000 for a long time to regional glass artists and no one had ever complained. I said I'd just spoken with the company and their salesman/researcher had assured me there is a COE in enamel and that 7000 is the right one for glass artists using the mentioned glass. She snapped, "Do you want to debate your point of view or purchase what I sell?" She stipulated that "COE didn't matter in enamel on glass."
So I'm thinking either she doesn't know 7000 is the right one for glass or she doesn't care. Either way she is putting people on the path to using a product not recommended by the manufacturer. The more I thought about her truculent response and lack of interest in increasing her knowledge base, the more I wanted to pass on to other glass artists what I found out. I won't mention this business' name, but if you are using Thompson enamel you should use the 7000 series (except if using float glass). I know last year someone posted that a piece exploded. It seems I remember that it had enamel... but maybe not. But if it were, the artist may have been given the wrong info by a person without scruples and no interest to improve their knowledge base.
I know posts, such as this, can create a tempest in a teapot, my intention is only to 1): educate fellow artists in the correct series formulated by the enamel company for its compatibility with fusible art glass (COE 90-96). It seems to me to ignore their years of research and development is the height of hubris. So I ordered from them and had them ship it pronto. I'm not saying people can't nor shouldn't use 5000, but why if the manufacturer says it isn't compatible? You may want to check your label.2) To point out that a business license doesn't mean you are really interested in the success or integrity of your customers' work. Caveat Emptor And that's all I have to say on this. If you need more information call Thompson's Enamels yourself. Oh, and I did ask what size their powder was. I was told 80. (got out my muller) Just for you own knowledge base. <grin>
Oh, This was cathartic. Thank you for letting me vent. <lips pursed, hands folded and slowly exhaling>
So I'm thinking either she doesn't know 7000 is the right one for glass or she doesn't care. Either way she is putting people on the path to using a product not recommended by the manufacturer. The more I thought about her truculent response and lack of interest in increasing her knowledge base, the more I wanted to pass on to other glass artists what I found out. I won't mention this business' name, but if you are using Thompson enamel you should use the 7000 series (except if using float glass). I know last year someone posted that a piece exploded. It seems I remember that it had enamel... but maybe not. But if it were, the artist may have been given the wrong info by a person without scruples and no interest to improve their knowledge base.
I know posts, such as this, can create a tempest in a teapot, my intention is only to 1): educate fellow artists in the correct series formulated by the enamel company for its compatibility with fusible art glass (COE 90-96). It seems to me to ignore their years of research and development is the height of hubris. So I ordered from them and had them ship it pronto. I'm not saying people can't nor shouldn't use 5000, but why if the manufacturer says it isn't compatible? You may want to check your label.2) To point out that a business license doesn't mean you are really interested in the success or integrity of your customers' work. Caveat Emptor And that's all I have to say on this. If you need more information call Thompson's Enamels yourself. Oh, and I did ask what size their powder was. I was told 80. (got out my muller) Just for you own knowledge base. <grin>
Oh, This was cathartic. Thank you for letting me vent. <lips pursed, hands folded and slowly exhaling>