Back when the Traders Union was an actual guild we didn't have this code of conduct, but I am including it now so everyone associated with this service, jewelers and customers alike, know exactly what they are getting. My personal goal is to keep jewelers crafting successfully without going broke, customers well equiped without feeling cheated, and everyone else envious of what a good thing we have going here! Here is the simple code I expect all jewelers to honor, if they want to call themselves Traders Union jewelers.
First: Jewelry will never be advertised or sold for more than the prices stated in the Inventory section of this website. These prices are all laid out, along with explanations as to why they are what they are.
Second: Traders Union jewelers will never knowingly vie for the same customer's attention. Once one jeweler is dealing with the client, that client has the right to expect the same prices and level of service regardless of who he or she talks to. If the client wishes something too advanced for the jeweler he or she is dealing with, a referal will be arranged. If the client wishes something that is so trivial for the skills of an advanced jeweler that making it would be of little benefit and challenge, and an apprentice jeweler is available to do the same work, a referal may also follow.
Third: Highly skilled jewelers in the Traders Union are committed to helping along those less advanced, and will refer customers whenever possible, as per the previous statement.
Fourth: The Traders Union is committed to making jewelery as affordable and accessible as possible. If a customer cannot afford the usual retail prices, and is willing to cover the cost of materials and shoulder the risk of failure (the jeweler will group with the client and attempt the piece while grouped and if it fails the customer must accept that loss) our jewelers will attempt to craft items for a modest tip, agreed upon in advance.
Fifth: The Traders Union vows never to exploit the market on drop-only gems, and will never price any piece crafted with a drop-only gem any higher than twice the combined cost of the metal used and the price that jeweler will offer to buy that same gem. For example, I will pay 25 platinum for Black Pearls from anyone who has them to sell. I sell Silver Black Pearl Rings (the cost of silver is minimal in this range) for 50 platinum, and that price will not go higher unless I am forced to pay more for the gems.
Sixth: The Traders Union vows not to intentionally hurt the business of any non-Union jewelers, either through selling at a loss, by under-cutting junior jewelers on pieces that are meaningless to more practised jewelers, by slander or other such public statements, or through any other means.
Seventh: The Traders Union vows to handle any complaints against our registered jewelers honestly, openly, and promptly. Complaints should be directed straight to me. Either hail me in Norrath, or mail me at jeffrybak@fastmail.ca.
We are here to serve, and hope to set the standard for honest tradeswork in Firiona Vie, in the spirit and the memory of the Traders Union guild, and all that went into it. You have my word on it.
Valquiss Silverpalm.
