Just noticed this in The Blade: "David Fairclough Fine Jewelers in Sylvania Township and Fixology Jewelry & Watch Repair at Westfield Franklin Park are selling From Soldier to Soldier bracelets that benefit Homes For Our Troops... Depending on the model, the bracelets retail for $95 and $145, and $20 from every sale goes to Homes For Our Troops."
Wow, what a bunch of good-hearted people. So they are getting $75 to $125 per item for each sale. Well, I bought one of these out of state for my DOG, as a dog-collar (minus the glitzy sterling and whatever), about a week ago... for SIX dollars. There's no way that glitz is anywhere near what they are asking.
The only reason I bring this up is because I resent people and businesses grifting off our military and deserved people about things that really only benefit the business. I also don't like a business like The Blade printing something that it obviously spent no time investigating. It was probably a press release they got over their fax machine and, to my mind, are just assisting a scam.
http://www.toledoblade.com/business/2012/06/28/Local-jewelers-helping-injured-soldiers.html
Never bought a thing from David Fairclough but their prices seem to be in line with the website for the bracelets.
http://www.fromsoldiertosoldier.org/products/
Here are the REAL bracelets the troops are actually wearing: http://www.survivalstraps.com/
Extremely useful in a pinch, and plenty of endorsements from the troops.
Notice the price and construction of "The Real Thing"!
I feel the same way as Pete. The Jewelers need to be exposed, and to make things right, the participating Jewelers keep the $20, and give the rest to to troops.
OOPS, thanks Sparky!
I admit I had a knee jerk reaction since I purchased a Survival Strap for $30. Not saying From Soldier to Soldier of off the hook though!
As a Vet I am bombarded with all types of scams to "help wounded warriors". Funny how they are NOT as forthcoming with any information to legitimize themselves.
This seems about right for a jewelry store item with sterling silver, gold, and Swarovski crystals.
They took the "real thing", made it a designer item, and are donating $20 for every one sold. Sounds about right.
David Fairclough jewelers gave me a much, much higher estimate than some other dealers when I was selling old jewelry a few years back. I don't question their honesty because I had a good experience.
But people who buy any sort of decorative item, believing it will "help" a cause ... I DO question that.