Lampworking Supplies - Europe

[MeltDown]

Hi - We are a beadmaking business located in Italy and need to purchase another torch setup. Ordering from the states just isn't feasible because of customs charges, which swing drastically from next to nothing to more than the cost of the item being shipped.

Does anyone know of any dependable lampworking supply companies in Europe? (Preferably within the European Union but any suggestions are appreciated)

Thanks!

Tim

[S. Greco]

Hi,

You can try:

www.glassulger.de
www.crloo.de
www.creative-glass.com (Switzerland & Austria)

There is also www.hobbyland.it , but if I remember correctly, they offer less of a choice.

I live in the South of France and my experience is that purchasing directly from the States is often less expensive or the same price as purchasing locally, even with import taxes. Shipping is often what drives the expense up.

Good luck!

[Anne Londez]

What torch do you have in mind ? If it is made in the US or Canada, you'll be better off buying it from there even with customs. I know several suppliers in Europe and the price they sell torches at is very high, since they also have to pay shipping and customs plus make a living.

[MeltDown]

Thanks for your response - Believe me, I'd rather purchase it from the states because the bead hobby industry is so huge there, and therefore the most competitive and innovative. (NOT too mention the strength of the Euro to the Dollar) However, in recent months especially, shipping charges, customs, wait time, lost packages etc. have really become an issue in Italy when ordering from the states. As a general rule we've stopped ordering anything from there because from a business point-of-view we just can't afford to risk it. How can we be competitive if we end up paying an extra 25-35% on a component?

I wish I had some friends visiting any time soon so that I could ask them to carry it over!

Tim

[Anne Londez]

OK. Here are a few more sites:
http://www.frederic-marey.com/ in France (they speak English)
http://perlen.glasmarkt-mueller.de/ in Germany

[WeeMary]

What about Martin at Tuffnells in England? www.tuffnellglass.com

[PaulaD]

Or the Herbert Arnold Company in Germany for torches or Lauscha for glass.
Paula