Dear Frantz,

[beadbroad]

You've been getting kicked around a bit here by lampworkers who were disappointed about not getting the scrap box bargain you offered this weekend. Some have expressed it more politely than others, but I'd like to be a clear voice for another perspective. To be entirely clear I'd have to use language that is not permitted outside the bathroom, so please feel free to insert the more colorful vernacular liberally throughout my post.

I was one of the lucky people who got the scrap box. Thanks so much for offering it. I did not win the trip to Italy last year, or even get selected as a finalist. Thanks very much for offering that too.

There is discussion about you modifying your website for real-time inventory. It's a great idea, but if it is costly, PLEASE DON'T DO IT! I'd rather be able to get bargains on glass, though I know it usually means waiting for a sale or getting some other locals to go in on a buy. That means a little labor, but it's worth it to get your bulk discounts.

And as long as I'm getting things off my chest, I think you got totally (insert colorful vernacular here) on the shipment to Mexico that went awry a year or two ago. At the time I wasn't in the mood to get flamed for deviating from the prevailing sentiment, but now I say (insert colorful vernacular here).

I don't always get my way from your company, but on balance, I'd say you come remarkably close. Please don't let the voices of a few disgruntled customers determine your future direction without careful consideration of those who are quietly satisfied with the status quo.

Love,
beadbroad

p.s. Are you sure you don't want to reconsider the whole trip to Italy thing? I'm really fun and I'm a picky eater, which means you get everything from my plate I don't want. That includes red wine and chocolate. Really. Check the vault, maybe there's another one in there.

[darcy]

=D>=D>=D>=D>=D>

I didn't get a scrap box, but then, I didn't order one. :lol: I'm just amazed they are willing to offer such a fabulous deal, even in limited quantites. Lest we forget the losses they had this last year, having to send back $150,000.00 worth of glass, just two months ago! But instead of raising prices, they offer us more deals!!!

Thank you Mike, Patty, and all your employees. You do a fabulous job! :love:

[Karen Hardy]

I would like to interject.

I also was one of the ones not chosen for the trip
to Italy. Despite Beadbroad "claiming" that she is a picky
eater (which we know is not true. There is youtube video
documentation that shows her CLEARLY cleaning her plate
at a local Olive Garden) I would like to state that I am
almost ALWAYS on a diet.

Therefor, you would not be just getting scraps from my
plate. I would be presenting you with choice vittles and,
of course, all my desserts.

So don't get deceived by the false propaganda that
beadbroad (if that is her real name) is offering you for
your consideration on the Italy trip. I offer you, not
only change, but CHOICE. If I am selected, I will live
off of breadsticks and water for the duration of the
trip. Can my opponent offer that? I think not.

Don't be deceived by false promises. Pick Karen Hardy
as your travel mate.

You will never go hungry again.....



paid for by the Get Karen Hardy the hell out of the USA coalition.

[squid]

LOL

[ROC]

LOL!! Ya'll just ain't right!!! I didn't get a box either, didn't order a box, and think you guys at Frantz are very fair. As for the trip to Italy, well, I always pack snacks to take along!

[mikefrantz]

Sometime next year I will return to Murano and I would love to take all of you with me (yes, there are a few exceptions!).

If you are on a budget of around $2,000, then a full 7 days on Murano might be just right for you.

While the cost of flying to Venice will change with the seasons, you can find yourself a seat sometimes for as little as $800 round trip.

I have a friend who owns apartments on Murano, and the ones that I love will sleep between 2 and 4 persons. The rates for the rooms also change, I would guess that around $40 per night is a good average. Less people in an apartment will bring the price up, the more in an apartment, the less you would pay.

Breakfast.........each apartment has a kitchen, coffee is cheap to make and there is a bakery about 3 minutes from the apartment, so breakfast could be $1. If you go to a restaurant for a coffee and roll, that will cost you $3, but if you go to the Danelli Hotel, a nice breakfast would cost you around $100!

Lunches can be eaten out when you are away from the apartment, but cheese and bread do not cost much. Eating lunch out can run $10 and up.

Dinner can be pricey, I have spent as little as $10 and as much as $175 for dinner. It is nice to eat some dinners in the apartment, some at moderate priced places and then have one or two exceptionally nice meals.

With getting to Murano taking two days and a day to get back and a full seven days in Murano, TEN days is a nice number of days to be away on vacation.

So you got airplane ticket at $800
A warm bed, kitchen, toilet at $350
Food eaten in and out at $350.
Transportation and museums $100.

So as you can see for $1,600 you can go to Murano for a week. With the airplane ticket the most expensive part, you could stay another week for another $800.

The only expense I have left out is if you go with me, we go to Effetre and you get a chance to buy glass, that can cost you plenty!

Yes, I would like to eat your deserts and left overs!

Mikey

[coyotesfamily]

So you got airplane ticket at $800
A warm bed, kitchen, toilet at $350
Food eaten in and out at $350.
Transportation and museums $100.


going to murano with mike, priceless




just sayin'.....sounds like an awesome mastercard commercial

[loribeads]

The only expense I have left out is if you go with me, we go to Effetre and you get a chance to buy glass, that can cost you plenty!

Mikey


This is the one that worries me.
And hands off my dessert. :D Unless you're willing to share yours...

[tnehlers]

going to murano with mike, priceless




just sayin'.....sounds like an awesome mastercard commercial

I totally thought that was where he was headed with that!

[beadbroad]

This thread has left me in a much better mood, although I now have a bone to pick with Karen Hardy. Get it? Ha ha, bone to pick? Ha, hah..ech cough.

[Katie Gee]

Sometime next year I will return to Murano and I would love to take all of you with me (yes, there are a few exceptions!).

If you are on a budget of around $2,000, then a full 7 days on Murano might be just right for you.

While the cost of flying to Venice will change with the seasons, you can find yourself a seat sometimes for as little as $800 round trip.

I have a friend who owns apartments on Murano, and the ones that I love will sleep between 2 and 4 persons. The rates for the rooms also change, I would guess that around $40 per night is a good average. Less people in an apartment will bring the price up, the more in an apartment, the less you would pay.

Breakfast.........each apartment has a kitchen, coffee is cheap to make and there is a bakery about 3 minutes from the apartment, so breakfast could be $1. If you go to a restaurant for a coffee and roll, that will cost you $3, but if you go to the Danelli Hotel, a nice breakfast would cost you around $100!

Lunches can be eaten out when you are away from the apartment, but cheese and bread do not cost much. Eating lunch out can run $10 and up.

Dinner can be pricey, I have spent as little as $10 and as much as $175 for dinner. It is nice to eat some dinners in the apartment, some at moderate priced places and then have one or two exceptionally nice meals.

With getting to Murano taking two days and a day to get back and a full seven days in Murano, TEN days is a nice number of days to be away on vacation.

So you got airplane ticket at $800
A warm bed, kitchen, toilet at $350
Food eaten in and out at $350.
Transportation and museums $100.

So as you can see for $1,600 you can go to Murano for a week. With the airplane ticket the most expensive part, you could stay another week for another $800.

The only expense I have left out is if you go with me, we go to Effetre and you get a chance to buy glass, that can cost you plenty!

Yes, I would like to eat your deserts and left overs!

Mikey


OMG, I want to go !!!!



Kathy

[SassyGlass9]

Me too! Sign me up! But hands off the pasta and the desserts - you may, however, have my vegetables. :p

[NLC Beads]

Dammit.
Drool just doomed another keyboard to an early demise...

[Kalera]

I'll go! Sign me up! :D Especially if a bunch of other crazy bead people are going!

[mom53]

The trip of dreams

[fyrebeadz*]

take me, TAKE ME! I'm newly single and lookin for a good Italian (or otherwise) man!

And, BTW, I've had nothing but great customer service from you Mikey and everyone working there! Kudo's to a job well done!

[beadsoncypress]

1. My family is Italian (so I will fit in)
2. I can fly out of NY (cheaper)
3. I have been to Italy before (but not Murano)
4. Maybe if I get to go I will not eat so I will have more $$ to spend on glass (and lose some extra lbs....hmmm I could leave everything I take to make room for more GLASS!
5. I can cook (Italian style and many others!)
6. I can clean
7. I can melt GLASS (to help you choose what to buy more of!)
I could keep going.....

[Frogsongstudio]

I think you should take me. I've never ever been out of the country.... in fact, I've only been out of California a couple of times on trips to Vegas.

Therefore, I deserve to go more than anyone else......LOL

[Aleigh]

This thread makes me feel so much better. That other one was just ticking me off!

I bought my first very basic HH start-up kit over seven years ago from Frantz and have continued to shop almost exclusively through them since and am now a full-time beadmaker. I have NEVER, and I mean NEVER had one complaint or anything but exceptional customer service from them.

Sign me up for the trip too! I've never been to California or Florida, let alone out of the country! Can you even imagine how much fun that would be?!?

Amy
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

[Karen Hardy]

This thread has left me in a much better mood, although I now have a bone to pick with Karen Hardy. Get it? Ha ha, bone to pick? Ha, hah..ech cough.

Don't bother me. I'm power-eating - gotta gain enough weight so
I can handle the week-long fast in Italy. :fnwl:

I'll be ok so long as there's no Cannoli in the picture....

[GlassGalore]

I can live on Tiramisu, bread and cheese for a week. Where do I sign up? ;)

[Karen Hardy]

I can live on Tiramisu, bread and cheese for a week. Where do I sign up? ;)

Me too...

...and you can keep the bread and cheese.....

[Tillie]

I have my passport in my hot little hand!!! AND I have SkyMiles!! Never been to Italy, but I've been to Spain, Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, Bahamas, Oklahoma and Arkansas! Put my name on the list! I stocked my studio last April at the Frantz booth in Vegas! I can survive sleeping on the floor and eating crumbs!!

[krisb16]

The less you spend on food, the more $$ you have to buy glass.

And I hate red wine, so it's all yours. :)

[Reenie]

I would be the perfect candidate for the trip. I did win a spot in the finals too!
What could be better.
I come loaded with goodies, candies and snacks.
I come fully loaded with ummm tranquilizers.
I'm funny. I'm smart and I don't fart so you wouldn't have to worry about sitting next to me :-} I barely eat 2 meals a day and if you give me a fresh loaf of warm bread and butter...I'm good to go!
The best part is that you could have your choice of whatever sized hammer you'd like to bring to knock me out.
Now what could be better then actually having the permission to kick the chit outta someone!

[PaulaD]

I want to go too!!

Paula

[LAJ]

OMG!!! I SO want to go!!!:waving:

[mikefrantz]

I am serious, I would love to take a large group of crazy beadmakers to Murano! Us Crazies can feed off of each other, thus we do not need to eat food.

We already act like we have been drinking too much red wine, so there is no need to drink.

While most beds are singles, there is room for a total of 13 guests in one apartment building. That includes 9 single beds and two double beds (for those of you who need or want to spoon). While there are other apartments, the prices are a bit higher, but some of us may have a few extra euros for the luxury rooms!

No need to pay to get on water boats, Mikey will teach you how to steal boat rides!

I just do not want to organize it! Ok, I can organize it a bit, but finding the date that:

1. Everyone can be gone
2. Everyone can find a ticket
3. Apartments are available.
4. The type of weather that suits everyone
5. Have enough money or miles to make this dream come true

I can find out about the apartments, once a period of time is figured out to go.

Some facts about when to go are:

airfare and apartment rates and other related travel expenses cheaper in winter.

February is party time, but also wet and cold and crowded
April and May it can be cold or warm, windy, medium crowds
June and July is crowded and more expensive

My favorite times to go are when some of my favorite glass artists are at home working.

My least favorite time is when the factories are closed

I love it in middle May to mid June, nice weather, but really I have only been there until end of May, I am a weather wusssssssy!

If those of you who have sown interest in this want to put a trip together, then we should leave LE and go to To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. for back and forth communication.

Be prepared to lay down to me a deposit of around $500 or so. This money will be used to pay for apartments and your other expenses, but I only want those who are serious about this trip to go.

At some point before I get the deposit I will arrange to have the apartments put on hold and once I do that I will be send money to Murano and once they have the money, there are no refunds on apartments and your down payment for the apartment will be more than the actual cost.

The reason for this is that if 4 people want to share an apartment and the cost is around $40 per person, maybe less, but probably no more. But if four people want to share and then two decide not to go, then the cost could go up to $50 per person or more, and if three change their minds that one person might have to pay $100. So by putting up a certain amount, it makes it so that if you bail out of the trip, the person still going will have a great room to themselves for a very small price. If somebody wants to not go, we will try to find another person to go. The problem is that you just can not decide to go a few days before, so all of this has to be figured out early and I need to make my calls and see when the apartments are available. The owners of the apartment would give me a few weeks to make my final decision and you then would have to make the commitment and put your money where your mouth is. Once I have your money it goes to Italy and no refunds on apartments unless somebody takes your place.

Everything else is easy. There is always flights to Murano and I can make suggestions, but if you are using your miles and you want to go business class, you better start looking today as good seats are hard to come by when you use your miles.

So if any of you are really serious, then start thinking about dates and I will send an email to Italy and see what is available.

Are we interested in just having fun or do we want a class with an artist?

With classes, well, you are taking classes and not being a tourist, fine with me, but I prefer just to sleep late and visit Murano and Venice. Actually we can do whatever we want to do and I will put together a program based on everyone's needs.

I want no cry babies, I want tough people whose feelings will not be hurt if things do not go the way you want them. If you are looking for comfort above what the apartments offer, I can supply you names of hotels ranging from $100 to $1,000 per day!

mikey

[Kalera]

I am dead serious: I want to go! I'm no prima donna; I usually sleep in hostels when I travel, and I take what comes. I've never been off the continent and this sounds like an ideal, and affordable, arrangement!

[lavendar420]

It sounds totally rad to hang out in Murano with a bunch of crazy glass people! I'll take any wine that you dieters have to pass up, *hic*

[IF-Designs]

This sounds incredibly awesome....I am interested if I can come up with the $$ in time...this would be a fantastic trip of a lifetime for me!

[Kalera]

Can I cast my vote for April or May?

[Katie Gee]

Too Cool. Sent you an email Mike !!



Kathy

[papimom]

I'm packed. I'm ready. Tell me when.
Joan

[Ancasta]

Me me me!!

Bugger. I live in the UK. But hey, it only costs £35 to fly to Venice from here :lol:

I think a house share would be more fun anyway, and as an archaeologist I could bore you all to death on the sites around the city when you're not playing with glass :hide:

[Laurie L]

I would love to go....hubby too, maybe.

[Elegance_1]

I LOVE overseas travel! I've lived in France & Germany and been traveling around to areas close like Switzerland. I need to start taking my pennies and putting them in a pillowcase so they don't get spent. I probably can't go this year, but I can save up for the next trip. :)

[Mustang Dawn]

This would be a blast!

[Rudy]

I would love to go, but would probably opt for a nice hotel...not ridiculously expensive, but "nice." Although I don't speak Italian, I do speak Spanish (some similarities) and that could come in handy!!!!! OOoooo, this is very tempting! I've been trying to come up with the perfect 50th birthday present from DH. Could this be it??? Hmmmmmm

[bluecatbeads]

OH man this is a great big huge wish. To go to italy... :D I would have to take my mom though. She has no idea how to lampwork but would be a hoot and a half to have a long and I have never hung out with crazy glass people in a group. WOW.... dreaming dreaming.... We will see if bills don't get too huge, and I would like to go after the end of school... need that darned degree. :D so May like

[AKDesigns]

OMG I would love to do this. I've never been out of the US (ok, I've been to Mexico but who hasn't) but would do it with a group like this. I'd need a passport....

[PaulaD]

I think a group like this would be a blast. I think April-May is a great time because those of us that live in cold climates won't worry about pipes freezing while we are gone. Or draggin around heavy coats. I'm not much into classes anymore but I do like demo's.
Amy maybe get your passport asap! I've heard horror stories of how long it takes. Mine took only 4 weeks but I paid extra for fast delivery. Hmmm. I wonder if I have to change my photo since I no longer have brown hair..
Paula

[lunamoonshadow]

That sounds like a heck of a trip....in more ways than one!
Glass-crazy people, apartments with kitchens (much better than hotel rooms in my opinion--I *hate* hotel rooms, I like having some sort of illusion of privacy--even "shared with a few people" privacy--and independence when it comes to things like appliances--fridge/stove, stuff like that!) & the king of odd-lots himself as a tour guide? What more could anyone want?

[Yvon]

Well, the trip. . not now probably. But what a fantastic opportunity for those who can make the trip.

But want to chime in and give the Frantz folks a BIG PAT ON THE BACK! Always what you order and timely, too. Haven't ordered for a bit, but that's beside the point.

Always great service, product, follow through. Thanks!

[eross]

going to murano with mike, priceless




just sayin'.....sounds like an awesome mastercard commercial

My mastercard isn't max'd out, YET!

Liz

[Carlabeads]

OMG This sounds like an awesome trip! I so want to go! I vote for April/May also. :)

[beadsoncypress]

April-May looks good to me too!

[Katey11]

WOW - put me down! Except for the not eating and drinking wine part. I've been to Italy twice and the food and wine are waaaaay too good to pass up. It's a shame I didn't know about lampworking back then! Don't mind sharing a room/apartment/house. Time of year doesn't matter. A class or two sounds fabulous but would want time to explore, be touristy, hang out and, of course, buy glass.

[lldesigns]

OMG I wonder if I can sell enough beads to pay my bills and save for this trip?! I SOOOO want to do this!!!!

And I also want to add my thanks to those already expressed. I have never been disappointed with my shopping excursions with Frantz. I think they do an awesome job and should be commended for putting up with us crazy complaining beadmakers!

[Reenie]

I wonder if a bunch of glass addicts walking into a glass store or factory together would look something like Walmart on the Day after Thanksgiving Sale???
Mikey might know what he's doing but did he even warn the Italians yet????

[Kalera]

Passport! Oh damn, I'd better get mine ASAP.

[parisgal]

Oh, wait, this has become serious, for real? I'm pretty sure my passport is right over there...

[parisgal]

Okay, some thoughts for dates - Easter is a big holiday with lots people traveling, Italy and many of the countries surrounding are Catholic and they all have time off. In 2009 Easter is it April 12. It would be good to avoid it.

That said, flights will be cheaper and easier to get the earlier we go (well, the earlier once the Feb madness is over). The weather isn't as nice but it can be a big price difference.

I'd vote for the last few days of March and the very first week of April. Kind of like March 28 to April 5 -ish.

[Nickeson Designs]

hmm... I wonder if there are any military bases nearby a MAC(military airlift command) flight would save me probably at least $700.

If I'm not underway on a big gray floaty thing when ya'll go... I'd totally be interested.

Dan

[Katie Gee]

Passport! Oh damn, I'd better get mine ASAP.

Yep, me too. I'm going to go this week for mine.



Kathy

[lunamoonshadow]

I wonder if a bunch of glass addicts walking into a glass store or factory together would look something like Walmart on the Day after Thanksgiving Sale???
Mikey might know what he's doing but did he even warn the Italians yet????

Ok, THIS is a funny picture...and probably all too true!!!

Oh, I sooooo wish I had the means to go to Italy - what an amazing trip that would be. :)

Real time inventory on a website isn't cheap or easy. I'm fine with there not being an expensive interface on their website - it keeps the glass costs down.

I wish I had the means to go too Kandice!! (maybe if we cross our fingers we'll luck out & find a winning lottery ticket lying on the ground? ;))

I know real-time inventory isn't cheap/easy to set up, but...@ some point...if you want to be the "biggest & best", it's a huge help...and...I suspect would pay for itself in orders in a remarkable time frame--I know I've (for one) still not ordered from Frantz direct multiple times *simply* because of the website--yes, it's LOADS better than it was, but...I'm just not home when they're "open" @ the store/warehouse--I'm home @ 2am :cry: or occasionally on Sunday afternoon, or whatever...It aggrivates the HECK out of me to (often) know I'm paying MORE for glass from other "downstream" vendors who I *know* buy their glass FROM Frantz (yep, I know I'm supporting him "indirectly"--I :love: Mike for bringing me coral odd lots & yellow ice &, &, &...) & that I can't just "order it direct" & KNOW I'm getting the 5# discount, or whatever...but...it is what it is....sigh...
Definitely NOT saying anything bad about Frantz, or Mike--I think they're both great--I :love: the new color paddles on the site (yes, it's a huge improvement--I visit for every sale flyer....but....yeah, I still don't order, because I can't face the "out of stock" & "can't get phone calls @ work to work out the issues" deal if/when something isn't going to be right about my order!)


hmm... I wonder if there are any military bases nearby a MAC(military airlift command) flight would save me probably at least $700.

If I'm not underway on a big gray floaty thing when ya'll go... I'd totally be interested.

Dan

Make sure you let us know if/when you do end up on a "big gray floaty thing" ;) Some of us like to keep track of where our folks in uniform are!


Darn....this whole idea makes me want to get my passport (again...it expired like 15 years ago) even though I KNOW there's no way in HECK I can afford to go any further than 2 states away (where they send me every month for a manager meeting for work :lol:)