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These Are the Unexpected Expenses that Really Hurt Jewelers

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When you run a small business, there’s always something unexpected coming up — sometimes positive, sometimes negative.

And sometimes expensive.

For Big Survey 2016, we drilled down on the surprises that hurt jewelers the worst. Our question: “What unexpected expense has hurt you the most financially?”
Here are the top nine answers, along with the percentage of respondents who named them.

  • Building/equipment maintenance (16%)
     
  • Taxes (7%)
     
  • Theft or robbery (8%)
     
  • Insurance costs (5%)
     
  • Legal fees/lawsuits (5%)
     
  • Employee loss/theft/betrayal (5%)
     
  • Diamond loss/breakage (5%)
     
  • Remodel/renovation (4%)
     
  • Fire (1%)
     

And then there were the really unexpected expenses …

  • “A surprise in the generational transfer of assets from the last generation to our current ownership. Mom gave everything to the Salvation Army. We survived, but it was a mess for a while.”
  • “A car crashed into our shop in August 2009. We were closed six months. Damages were $800,000, but insurance only paid $700,000, so we were out of pocket $100,000. We’re still suffering.”
  • “Vendors cashing checks same day when they agreed to post-dated checks over four months. I had just mailed out checks for rent and sales taxes and to the IRS for about $10,000. I took about $10,000 in diamonds from a vendor with post-dated checks in return. He cashed them the next day. I had to sell the diamonds and scrap out what I had to cover all the checks. Lesson learned: no post-dated checks ever to anyone.”

 

 

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This Third-Generation Jeweler Was Ready for Retirement. He Called Wilkerson

Retirement is never easy, especially when it means the end to a business that was founded in 1884. But for Laura and Sam Sipe, it was time to put their own needs first. They decided to close J.C. Sipe Jewelers, one of Indianapolis’ most trusted names in fine jewelry, and call Wilkerson. “Laura and I decided the conditions were right,” says Sam. Wilkerson handled every detail in their going-out-of-business sale, from marketing to manning the sales floor. “The main goal was to sell our existing inventory that’s all paid for and turn that into cash for our retirement,” says Sam. “It’s been very, very productive.” Would they recommend Wilkerson to other jewelers who want to enjoy their golden years? Absolutely! “Call Wilkerson,” says Laura. “They can help you achieve your goals so you’ll be able to move into retirement comfortably.”

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These Are the Unexpected Expenses that Really Hurt Jewelers

Published

on

When you run a small business, there’s always something unexpected coming up — sometimes positive, sometimes negative.

And sometimes expensive.

For Big Survey 2016, we drilled down on the surprises that hurt jewelers the worst. Our question: “What unexpected expense has hurt you the most financially?”
Here are the top nine answers, along with the percentage of respondents who named them.

  • Building/equipment maintenance (16%)
     
  • Taxes (7%)
     
  • Theft or robbery (8%)
     
  • Insurance costs (5%)
     
  • Legal fees/lawsuits (5%)
     
  • Employee loss/theft/betrayal (5%)
     
  • Diamond loss/breakage (5%)
     
  • Remodel/renovation (4%)
     
  • Fire (1%)
     

And then there were the really unexpected expenses …

  • “A surprise in the generational transfer of assets from the last generation to our current ownership. Mom gave everything to the Salvation Army. We survived, but it was a mess for a while.”
  • “A car crashed into our shop in August 2009. We were closed six months. Damages were $800,000, but insurance only paid $700,000, so we were out of pocket $100,000. We’re still suffering.”
  • “Vendors cashing checks same day when they agreed to post-dated checks over four months. I had just mailed out checks for rent and sales taxes and to the IRS for about $10,000. I took about $10,000 in diamonds from a vendor with post-dated checks in return. He cashed them the next day. I had to sell the diamonds and scrap out what I had to cover all the checks. Lesson learned: no post-dated checks ever to anyone.”

 

Advertisement

 

 

Advertisement

SPONSORED VIDEO

This Third-Generation Jeweler Was Ready for Retirement. He Called Wilkerson

Retirement is never easy, especially when it means the end to a business that was founded in 1884. But for Laura and Sam Sipe, it was time to put their own needs first. They decided to close J.C. Sipe Jewelers, one of Indianapolis’ most trusted names in fine jewelry, and call Wilkerson. “Laura and I decided the conditions were right,” says Sam. Wilkerson handled every detail in their going-out-of-business sale, from marketing to manning the sales floor. “The main goal was to sell our existing inventory that’s all paid for and turn that into cash for our retirement,” says Sam. “It’s been very, very productive.” Would they recommend Wilkerson to other jewelers who want to enjoy their golden years? Absolutely! “Call Wilkerson,” says Laura. “They can help you achieve your goals so you’ll be able to move into retirement comfortably.”

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