Increased Costs In 2021
We're in our 12th year of business thanks to our wonderful customers like you!
Over the last week, we have been notified by nearly every wholesale partner that currently supplies our goods that due to increased raw goods costs, production costs, and transportation costs, a sharp rise in wholesale pricing as well as higher shipping costs is inevitable. While our suppliers are holding back and absorbing as much of the additional temporary costs as possible, an average increase of 5-7% has been passed on to online and brick-and-mortar retailers like us.
Products made of raw wood, steel, aluminum, silver, glass, and injection molded poly resin materials are among a few of the categories of products that have proven to be the most affected by these increased costs. These increases are three-fold for us as a small business since we are not only absorbing higher incoming shipping costs (since the 4-7% increases in January 2021 with all major shipping carriers) but also the higher cost of the goods, higher minimums required by our suppliers, and increased outgoing shipping costs to our customers. While we have continued passing our discounted shipping rates to our customers, we have not increased our tiered shipping rates for the past three years and at this point, we do not plan to increase shipping rates, however, this may have to happen down the road as our current shipping rates barely cover shipping costs in most instances, even for smaller packages of less than 3 lbs. to most delivery areas. Costs of packing materials, tape, and shipping boxes have also seen sharp increases in costs. However, for customer shipping that creates a loss of less than $5.00, we absorb the difference in higher shipping from our profit margin rather than raising shipping rates or even higher product prices. We only bill our customers for larger or heavier items that require over-sized rates or when shipped to an obscure delivery location that dictates much higher costs. We will continue this practice for a long as is feasible.
We have been ensured by many of our suppliers that these price increases due to hyper-inflation in a post-COVID economy will be temporary and lower prices may come back when the "new normal" has settled things back down with the economy and foreign trade. And, of course, the geo-political atmosphere we are currently experiencing is also causing increased concern for the cost of goods globally in an unfair trading market with much market insecurity and concerns of higher risks.
We are currently adjusting prices for products with all our suppliers and in the coming weeks will be eliminating a few more of our current suppliers while adjusting available product lines for some items that we feel may no longer be practical for us to carry that are creating high-cost overhead on incoming merchandise as well as utilizing precious warehouse space. With much regret, many of our most popular items may no longer be available after these adjustments have been made.
As we remain a small, family-owned and operated business, we try to make these decisions with our customers' best interests at heart. We want to continue offering a wide variety of goods at fair prices with the lowest possible shipping costs. While shopping with us, keep in mind that while we can no longer offer free shipping because search engines like Google and Yahoo penalize us by restricting relevancy and viewership on search results when we offer "FREE" anything. This hurts us and other small businesses in lieu of "big tech" helping their biggest paid ads customers Amazon, eBay, and other big box stores that can afford to absorb these costs and whom receive much larger shipping discounts due to volume than we do. We are trying our best to prevent being squeezed out of the online marketplace to continue offering our customers fair and honorable pricing and policies without deceptive offers where the added costs are tacked onto the cost of products just for the sake of offering "free" anything. Many of our products are already priced at 20-25% below the manufacturer's retail suggested price to help our customers defray anticipated increased shipping costs. So, while we do not offer free shipping any longer, we do offer lower prices and our fairest shipping rates possible.
As a reminder, our products are sourced from American based companies providing American jobs and we plan to continue supporting American owned and operated businesses only. We believe that we can help keep costs down by being the solution rather than contributing to the problem.
We appreciate your business and look forward to continuing to serve our customers.
Buffalo Trader Online Owners & Staff
Western Themed Gifts for your Sweetie this Valentine's Day
It's that time of the year again! Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Show you are thinking of a friend, family member, or your sweetheart by giving the gift of love on Valentine's Day.
Valentine's Day was first associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer (the Father of English literature) during the 11th century European High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love and romance flourished. Some say that this era was the big-boom of the human population and love became eminent, despite arranged marriages between kingdoms. In 18th-century England, it evolved into an occasion in which lovers both secretly and openly expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards commonly known as Valentines today.
Buffalo Trader Online offers a large variety of Valentine's Day gift-giving ideas; gifts of jewelry like our Key To Your Heart Sterling Silver Pendant, and plaques and signs that say you care like our Wooden Heartfelt Welcome Sign. Also consider stationery for your special cowboy or cowgirl. And of course, sweets for your Sweetie! Our Wild West Premium Chocolates and Cocoa are to die for! Who can turn down homemade fudge from the Fudge Factory?
True Blue
Lapis Lazuli is a very rich blue (almost purple) stone used for centuries by the Egyptians for medicinal purposes and cosmetics when ground. Romans actually used lapis as an aphrodisiac! In the middle Ages, the ground powder when mixed with milk was used to cure ulcers and was believed to maintain a healthy skeletal system when worn. When worn around the neck, Blue Lapis is said to energize the throat chakra and when placed over the brow, is said to induce a heightened level of awareness.
Aside from all of the healthy folklore and legends about this stunningly beautiful blue stone, it's simply beautiful! Buffalo Trader Online offers substantial and gorgeous pieces set in sterling silver that would compliment any ensemble. Their Sterling Silver & Large Blue Lapis Pendant is not only made of the finest quality Lapis Lazuli and .925 sterling silver, but would make quite a stunning gift for someone special. Or for a different kind of ‘blue-tiful' bold, try their Sterling Silver Blue Lapis & Cultured Pearl Necklace.
Panning For Gold
It was January, 1848, James Polk was president and the territory known as Alta California, belonged to the country of Mexico. This era is defined in history as the Gold Rush. What is known in present day as San Francisco, boomed from approximately 1,000 full-time residents to over 25,000 with hopes of panning their way to a fortune along the Rio de los Americanos (or America River). Most developing towns began with saloons, gaming houses and brothels, all of which added to the profitability of mining gold. And although through good fortune and hard work, some businessmen reaped great rewards in retail, shipping, entertainment, many hopefuls, however, did not.
The good news is that today you don't have to pan for a great find! Buffalo Traders Online offers amazing deals on some great gold and gem finds. In addition to some fabulous gold leaf designs such as Willow Gold Leaf Earrings, there are also some unique pieces using genuine Wyoming Jade, such as the Wyoming Jade Antiqued Oval Filigree Necklace. Enjoy a piece of American history at a very recession friendly price!
