universal uniques

Fuzzyfeet wrote:I don't like the larger cores.................but those beads are soooooo pretty

I agree...

You certainly got some beautiful ooaks. The colors are so rich.

I had every intention of testing a Universal Unique on my bracelet to see how the larger core looked. The thought flew right out of my mind as soon as I saw my LD's Universal and regular uniques. She had so many and they were beautiful. Luckily she had the Universal at $43 and the regular uniques at $35. My Mom is smart and called ahead for her to put aside any pink beads aside for her. I bought 4 universals and put 10 more on hold. Our LD will let you put beads on hold and pay for them later. I get paid on July 1st! Luckily the US world tour beads aren't calling my name.

heathermcd4657 wrote:I had every intention of testing a Universal Unique on my bracelet to see how the larger core looked. The thought flew right out of my mind as soon as I saw my LD's Universal and regular uniques. She had so many and they were beautiful. Luckily she had the Universal at $43 and the regular uniques at $35. My Mom is smart and called ahead for her to put aside any pink beads aside for her. I bought 4 universals and put 10 more on hold. Our LD will let you put beads on hold and pay for them later. I get paid on July 1st! Luckily the US world tour beads aren't calling my name.

Wonderful news ... you must show us the pictures of your new beads!

I heard that before about passing on the prices of the 'unsellable' beads. But for the universals, my understanding is that many of the so called 'high sellers' were able to pick and choose in person which beads they bought for their shops. So that throws out their excuse. I bought some of the very same universals for $43 that are being sold places for up to $65. not fair IMO

Kensington wrote:

Trollette wrote:My LD is charging $43 per bead. I've seen some websites charging up to $65 per bead.

Those high priced shops are passing on the cost of the unsellable beads ... or so the stories of the past went .... I gather that they must be getting ugly beads again to be hiking the prices right from the get go! (Would really like to let them have my honest thoughts and opinions; if I thought it would do any good) I just don't give people like that my business ... if they want to be honest about their price hikes I can accept that ... . but to insult everyone by their cockamany excuses doesn't sit well with me! Okay ... rant is over now

Trollette wrote:My LD is charging $43 per bead. I've seen some websites charging up to $65 per bead.

Same in my neck of the woods--and I've seen them priced outrageously high online, too!

My LD was able to select in person. They were big tubs of Universal Uniques and regular size core Uniques. They were in sets of 6 in little plastic digs. Can you imagine tubs of uniques to choose from?!?! They would have to escort me out the door because I would never leave.
I am going to try and post pics of the Uniques that my Mom and I purchased this weekend. 1st one is of Universal and 2nd regular core Uniques:

Universal Uniques
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regular Uniques
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You got some goodies!

Of the regular core Uniques, the second from the left, red with white crescents and black dots----is there a name for that pattern?

I've never seen one like this before. It's a true, bright red. Of course my Mom was smart enough to call our LD ahead of time asking her to pull the bright pinks and armadillos.
I love the ones that I purchase. 4 on the left of top photo. I also have 8 on hold until pay day. July 1st here I come!

heathermcd4657 wrote:I've never seen one like this before. It's a true, bright red. Of course my Mom was smart enough to call our LD ahead of time asking her to pull the bright pinks and armadillos.
I love the ones that I purchase. 4 on the left of top photo. I also have 8 on hold until pay day. July 1st here I come!

I love the dillos (of course, that goes without saying!), but I also love the red bead on the right end with all the little bumps on it! Great finds!! (And your pug puppy is adorable!!)

All beautiful...it's about the glass...Trollette/Pat

So far I'm loving the universals, and am not bothered by the large core.
I got a few for my birthday,pictures to follow. Also have my TD holding
a few. Ugh I really think my head will explode
Swiss beads, USA beads, I really was hoping I would continue to dislike
the Us beads .........
Heather I have the last bead on the top photo on hold with a matching
dillo. Just wondering what part on NC you live in my mom and family
live down there.

Saw some UUs at my LD and was able to pass on them all - they were not particularly nice one - and £35 each (standard UK price). Being sold right next to some regular OOAKs at £26 which were nicer. But perhaps things will change.....

i would forget about the core sizes too with these new ooak's, but i still haven't seen any (!) beauties here (smaller cored ór larger cored ones)

The ones I've seen (only pictures not irl) look the same as normal Ooaks, not any prettier, so there will still be the same scramble to get the good ones, but at higher prices with yukky big cores, count me out

Fuzzyfeet wrote:The ones I've seen (only pictures not irl) look the same as normal Ooaks, not any prettier, so there will still be the same scramble to get the good ones, but at higher prices with yukky big cores, count me out

and I've seen them in two shops IRL.

Maybe I was lucky, but my dealer had so many great ones. My TD is a concept store so I think they may have a better choice. I was happy to see they are making more scale beads which I love.
The price here is pretty much the same as always $43.
They seem to have taken away the old OOAKs

I think the best ones have gone to the US.

In fairness I hope not. Do you think it is because they wish to cut into
the Pandora market here ? Is Pandora big in Europe?
We are even having TV ads here.

Pandora is huge in the UK. Lots of pics of Trollbeads fed into fashion mags here.

Hmm Well I guess that's not the reason.
I don't think I've seen any Trollbead ads in the US but must admit I haven't be reading fashion mags lately. Which is pretty funny since I was
in the business for many years.
I don't know why but I would have thought Trollbeads were the more popular in Europe.

I think that they have different marketing strategies and budgets. As far as I am aware Trollbeads tries to go the cheaper route by getting the beads used on photo shoots and mentioned in the fashion sections. Pandora frequently takes out full page adverts in the posher magazines such as Vogue. These tend to feature their most expensive gold and gemstone beads. It is not hard to guess which brand is the status symbol?