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Many of our hand-crafted items on the site will fall into the category of "Free Trade": those items we make ourselves and those from independent artisans in Argentina.
We are currently filling out the paperwork for a formal "free trade" certification and we will post that information on all items we have positively identified as such.
As much as we are able we try and go directly to the artisans and offer them our commitment to import and sell their products. Often the ability to export and ship their product to the United States and the world is above and beyond their means. We have spent many years, and employed many friends and family members, developing a cadre of artisans who rely on us to purchase their items.
Specifically we would like to mention that the prices we pay for individual quality items of hand manufacture are set by the artisan. Our retail price is set at a level above this which will make it possible to profitably continue to sell that product. This price must pay for commissions, shipping within the country, shipping out of the country, money transfer costs, customs fees and duty, as well as cost of the occasional damaged goods, goods unsaleable due to natural flaws within the product, and upkeep of our business--including phone and internet costs, shipping department staff, technical support, fees, etc. This is why some unique items are costly... and why some retailers (requesting wholesale prices for quantity purchase) balk at the price we offer them. What these retailers don't understand is that we aren't making the profit that they think we are. Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil... are not third world countries from which we can obtain rock-bottom bargains--but are the countries within which our families and brethren live. We let them decide their business future as much as possible and we truly believe that, in a global context, such sovereignty is good for everyone's development.
The free trade principle by which we operate therefore is one based upon what the market will allow and how much quantity our artisans would like to sell. (Period) Our clients appreciate the quality products we are able to obtain and both of these attainments (we think) create the most happiness for all people for the long term.
Thanks for listening.
Karl, Marisa & Family
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