Links checked 12/12/13
Don't forget to check Suspension Base Suppliers & Notes for all possible sources.
Let me start by saying that I wouldn't even be aware of the issue I'm about to mention had I not been poking around on my own Stats/Traffic Sources page which led to my reading another blogger's entry. That particular entry is From Head to Foot about suspension.
I read the entry, scrolled down to the reader comments and noticed that a lady named Allison stated that TKB Trading will no longer be selling the bulk (1 pint) suspension bases. If you go to their page for that, this is what you'll get to read. Click the link, go read the page, I'll wait.
Don't forget to check Suspension Base Suppliers & Notes for all possible sources.
Let me start by saying that I wouldn't even be aware of the issue I'm about to mention had I not been poking around on my own Stats/Traffic Sources page which led to my reading another blogger's entry. That particular entry is From Head to Foot about suspension.
I read the entry, scrolled down to the reader comments and noticed that a lady named Allison stated that TKB Trading will no longer be selling the bulk (1 pint) suspension bases.
The way I take it is because selling franken polish has become such a booming business and TKB Trading became the supplier (I might add, the only available supplier) for those individuals, they get priority of the existing stock. The rest of us, the ones who only buy a pint once in a blue moon, are S.O.L.- and if you're American, you know what "S.O.L." stands for.
For me, this is a money issue. TKB makes money from the continual sale to micro-business frankeners, the frankeners make money because they are selling their franken polish with a mark up so they too make a profit. And that's fine, that's what business is about but with TKB limiting the market for the pint, our price options go up. Those of us who do this as a hobby- those of us who spend money to do it and don't get any money back out of it- are going to pay more for the privilege of having a properly suspended polish. I myself have only purchased a pint once because I don't use it rapidly and the one I have isn't empty. Besides, I'm almost at 500 bottles made, I don't sell what I make so I couldn't afford to use suspension base every single time.
Since the pint isn't sold anymore, you can't see what it sold for but I'm anal retentive and have them listed everywhere. See below! The prices listed are for American customers and shipping was included in the price of the pint but not for the 1 ounce or 4 ounce (and all of these ship via Ground Service). I did the math, estimating shipping (based on TKB's checkout process) for both USPS and FedEx. Look what the hobbyist is going to pay versus what the franken polish seller will.
Fills…
|
2 bottles
|
8 bottles
|
32 bottles
|
Clear Coat
|
1 oz $3.95
|
4 oz $10.00
out of stock |
1 pint $25.00
out of stock |
Price per ounce w/out shipping
|
$3.95/ounce
|
$2.50/
|
$1.56/
|
USPS shipping $4.99
|
$8.94/ounce
|
$3.74/
| |
Fed Ex Ground shipping $8.95
|
$12.90/ounce
|
$4.74/
| |
Fills…
|
2 bottles
|
8 bottles
|
32 bottles
|
Luster Base
Glamour Base
Matte Base
|
1 oz $5.50
|
4 oz $12.00
out of stock |
1 pint $29.00
out of stock |
Price per ounce w/out shipping
|
$5.50/ounce
|
$3.00/ounce
|
$1.81/ounce
|
USPS shipping $4.99
|
$10.95/ounce
|
$4.25/ounce
| |
Fed Ex Ground shipping $8.95
|
$14.45/ounce
|
$5.24/ounce
| |
Fills…
|
2 bottles
|
8 bottles
|
32 bottles
|
Colored Bases: Black, White, Blue, Red & Yellow
|
1 oz $5.75
|
4 oz $14.00
out of stock |
1 pint $32.00
out of stock |
Price per ounce w/out shipping
|
$5.75/ounce
|
$3.50/ounce
|
$2.00/ounce
|
USPS shipping $4.99
|
$10.74/ounce
|
$4.75/ounce
| |
Fed Ex Ground shipping $8.95
|
$14.70/ounce
|
$5.74/ounce
| |
Locally, premium gas is $4.13 a gallon and it's predicted to be over $5.00 by the summer. When gas goes up in price, shipping rates go up and we're already paying Ground service for most frankening supplies. The days of placing a "small order" for $20.00 is made impossible when you pay half that in shipping alone and crap like this just eats into the budget even more. Perhaps TKB Trading will lower the price of the 1 ounce and 4 ounce? One can only hope. -MK
I am so bummed about this. :( thanks for the link to the info about suspension, though.
ReplyDeleteAgreed.
DeleteUnreal. I was gearing up for that pint, too. I guess now I shouldn't bother since they don't want my piddly business anyway. It's nice to be made to feel not good enough to purchase from a company. I hope another supplier appears that doesn't think the hobbyist isn't worth their time.
ReplyDeleteI don't think they consider our business as "piddly" but yes, I was insulted too, the way it was phrased on the pint's page sounded bad. Read my follow up entry and go check the pint page again- Mrs. Westerman updated it and provided a better explanation.
DeleteI think one problem is lack of competion. If there was another supplier, I think TKB would be more competive with their price and/stock. I doubt that they mix the bases themselves. Who is supplying them. If one could find that out then it would help to solve the problem.
ReplyDeletewww.mayercosmetics.com/products.htm has a product
1. SA-NL
• High transparency lacquer
• Provide excellent control of pigment suspension
• Good system stability for glitter lacquer
• Easy corporation and stable in all colors
• Exhibit ultimate adhesive and lustrous
I'm trying to contact them just out of sheer curiosity to see if they supply or just sell to companies. No response yet though.
Keep us posted please!
DeleteI agree, no competition means they can set the prices wherever they want but I'm not saying that's what TKB is doing. For sure, no other company wants to invest that sort of money to be a retail supplier of suspension base or there'd be someone else to buy from in the interim.
DeleteLet us know what you hear, if you do, about the SA-NL.
I didn't find out the price but here is the email he sent back to me. I explained that there is a need for this product SA-NL and asked how small of a quantity was required for purchase.
Delete"Dear Chatia,
Thank you for your enquiry.
We are nail polish manufacturer with 30 years of know-how experiences and knowledges. Nail lacquer is produced which is process and assemble into finish product nail polish. We strongly recommend you to purchase nail polish (finish product) instead of nail lacquer base as it involves a complex technical process.
MOQ for nail lacquer suspending base: 4,000 kg.
Packing in steel drum for export purpose with full documents.
Let me know if you require more information. "
Regards,
Germaine Chan
Mayer Cosmetics Manufacturer Pte Ltd
362 Upper Paya Lebar Road
#08-04 Da Jin Factory Building
Singapore 534 963
T: 65 6286 2242
F: 65 6283 0606
Mininum Order Quantity was 4000kg...lol
This is just a hobby for me and even if I want to supply I wouldn't have room to keep that much. I just asked because I was curious. I don't think Tkb is abusing customers either. It would just be nice to have other options or supplier for the suspension base.
I got a good chuckle picturing that huge metal drum sitting in the middle of my 1000 square foot apartment.
Deleteshebanails.com sales suspension base!! Check it out, the also have pigments and glitters and well everything nail art lovers need!!
Deletehttp://www.shebanails.com/contents/en-us/d238.html
This is so disappointing. Thanks you for writing and updating everyone on the situation.
ReplyDeleteSorry it wasn't better news.
DeleteThanks for explaining. I saw a couple comments about this on facebook but I was unclear exactly what was happening. My shop is pretty new and I only do batches of about 10 polishes at a time, but I was hoping to expand. This is very disappointing.
ReplyDeleteThere isn't anything else to say but that this sucks! Back to dead arm I guess. There is no way that I can afford to pay for the small jars....and it sounds like you have to be an old customer to even be able to buy the suspension in bulk. MK if you find any option can you please let us all know?
ReplyDeleteDead arm, lol. Use the path of lease resistance and manually stir up up with a stick, your arm will like you more. Or, if you have kids... "Hey boys, Mommy needs you to shake, rattle and roll." When I first got started frankening, I tried to rig up a hand mixer for baking to shake the bottles, that didn't work out real well. On second thought, it could be a creative way to paint the walls...
DeleteWhen I know something, you ladies will too.
Here is the link to aUK seller that has similar products
ReplyDeletehttp://www.decorativeindustries.co.uk/index.html
Types of Decorative Industries Base
Classic Performance Base – a classic suspension base, suitable for most crème and pearl applications. Provides ultimate wearability.
Toluene, Formaldehyde and DBP Free Base – this increasingly popular base satisfies the current trading climate where the demand is often for toluene free nail lacquers.
Transparent Base – ideal for use with glitter particles and shapes. It gives a clear and bright finish which allows the glitter to be seen on the nail to its full advantage.
Hypo Allergic Base – a specially formulated formaldehyde free base for those with sensitive skins and ideal for customers who wish to promote a sensitive range
Our bases and bulk nail lacquers will last for up to three years if stored in accordance with our advice in properly sealed containers.
I've inquired about price and mininum order quantity and am just waiting for a response. I'll keep you posted on this one too.
I was thinking of contacting them too for their bases. Have you heard anything yet?
DeleteWhich of those is considered "suspension" base. I don't see that in the name or description.
ReplyDeleteIf you're asking about TKB's, the suspension bases are the Glamour and Luster bases
Deletethere are plenty of nail polish suppliers online & in your towns that will sell reglar base coat by the gallon size etc, ask your local salon to order a set for you, to me that's a better deal than buying certain things from tkb
ReplyDeleteI could've listed gallons but considered a gallon of base coat excessive when it lasts so long.
DeleteIf you want to get together and do a group buy, THE Conservatorie is bringing it in and you can buy a gallon.
ReplyDeletehttp://theconservatorie.com/clear-suspension-base-p-3323.html
That's very good news but I already have my suspension base. Will pass that along though so thanks for sharing.
DeleteOkay, so I am a nail tech who is obsessed with Polish making. my sis in law and I have been working on this suspension base thing, and I have Aerosil (fumed silica) info courtesy of another blogger, and it suspends glitter brilliantly. However, it makes all Polish sort of matte, so I found out that nitrocellulose is the film forming agent, it is mixed with acetone to create a lacquer, and this should keep it shiny. But I cant find this ingredient in powder form, only in pre made form, for painting guitars. Does anyone know anymore about this and can give more insight? Also, the conservatorie sells bentonite powder, which is the ingredient usually used in store bought nail Polish for suspension. Has anyone tried this? Im in australia, and can not afford the 50 just for shipping. But if it works, id try. Thanks guys =)
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry but I can't help you there.
DeleteBramble Berry just brought in suspending nail polish by the pint and by the gallon: http://www.brambleberry.com/Product.aspx?ProductId=5261&CategoryId=152
ReplyDeleteFYI, I just went over to TKB and they have the pints back in stock of the suspension (Glamour) and the luster.
ReplyDeleteMK, Hello and i hope you are all having great HOLIDAY! well i have seen so many issues about the suspension base, I myself am a nail tech and i have recently gotten into the franken polishes. I on the other hand have been really really lucky! and i would love to help you all out. I have a nice relationship with my nail supplier who just happens to be a chemist. He offered me a deal on gallons of suspension base i would love to give you all more info. Also, on the other hand i met a young man that goes to auctions and buys huge amounts of things for pennies on the dollar. His last great investment happened to be cases upon cases of EMPTY POLISH BOTTLES! He has no idea what to do with them and i told him i would try to help. I do not own a store and am not trying to sell anything to anyone. I want to be able to help people. I am a young mother and i spend a lot of time at home painting nails and making all types of stuff. Please if you are interested Let me know! I would love your opinions and suggestions with this suspension base. My email is Polishmetogo@gmail.com any one can find me on instagram @polishmetogo I really hope we can all find a soluyion to this. I think every dollar is green and no one should have to feel a certain way about buying "small portions".
ReplyDelete