In trying to help our customers, we have compiled a list of some surprising things you should look out for when ordering your rubber stamps.  So read on!

T.S.T. Rubber Stamp has been in the marking industry for over 12 years.  Our staff has, cumulatively, over 50 years of experience in the graphics industry.  Over the years we have seen and heard a lot of situations that would bring you to tears with laughter, silliness and ear steaming frustration not only on the customer’s part but also on our (the supplier's) part.

Because of this, we have decided to compile a partial list of some of the “hooks” and “traps” that you will find when you try to purchase “cheap” rubber stamps over the internet. As they say…"BUYER BEWARE!" and "YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!"

First of all, let us explain to you that there is a definite difference between Price and Value.

 Price is “what you pay”                  Value is “what you get for what you pay”

Here's an example of a really good price.  
Let’s say you are walking through a flea market, and you see a huge table of white t-shirts for an unbelievable price of 25¢ each.  They are a quality brand name, and everyone in your household wears them. You are always on the lookout for these!  FANTASTIC!!  You decide to buy dozens of them as this is an unbelievable price and you get really excited.  Walking over to the table, you are tingling with excitement over the find and approach the person selling them, with a huge grin on your face, and tell them you want at least 48 in a large size.  The person on the other side of the table looks at you and says “sorry, these are all small and extra small size!”

 The point here we are trying to make is that: “Sometimes the best and lowest price you can find is simply not worth the cost!”

Value is explained something like this.
You walk into a store and find a flat screen T.V. that you have been looking at for quite a while. The price is $50.00 more than you have seen in the other store, but you still decide to investigate.  In speaking to the salesperson, you discover that it is exactly the same model and size as the other place you looked at, so you decide to ask them why it is more expensive.  The salesperson is confident, and without blinking proceeds to ask you if delivery and set-up was included in the price at the other store. You know in the back of your mind that it wasn’t.  The other place wanted $75.00 for delivery only, and set-up consisted of you reading an owners manual that is the size of the latest version of Webster’s dictionary.  He then explains that not only is delivery and set-up included in his price, but that they also do any warranty repairs “on site in their store”.  This really puts a smile on your face as you remember what happened with your last T.V. when it took 6-8 weeks to get it fixed because it had to go back to the factory to be repaired because of a faulty on-off switch! 

Getting the point yet?  Maybe it would be better to spend the extra bit of money for the same T.V. and be able to have it delivered, professionally installed, and have the peace of mind that would come with knowing it will never be out of service for more that a week!!

 So… the question that has to be asked is ….. when you buy something, is price the most important thing or is it true value??

 A lot of people probably think that “a rubber stamp, is a rubber stamp, is a rubber stamp. They’re all the same”. 

Think about it, that would be the same as saying “a house, is a house, is a house. They are all the same”.  Would this not be the same as saying that a castle is the same as a cottage, after all they are both “houses” are they not? 

Yes, it is true that basically rubber stamps are used to mark something, and that a house is used for shelter.  However you have to admit that there is a big difference between the above mentioned homes, so what about rubber stamps?

This is where we come in.  Just to give you an idea of what some companies are doing to try and lure you into that “best price” trap, here are some things we have found where the “best price” companies are either cutting corners, or have services that “cost extra”.

Do these other “Best Price” companies limit the amount of text you can put on the rubber stamp?
            (Not offering you what you want, or restricting you??)

WE DON’T!
At T.S.T. Rubber Stamp, (T.S.T. Stands for “That Special Touch”) when we do the typesetting, if there is too much or even too little on the stamp, we will suggest alternative sizes that best suit the amount of information. Our concern is to make all rubber stamps legible, and use the proper font size and layouts to do it.
EVEN IF IT MEANS SUPPLYING YOU WITH A SMALLER RUBBER STAMP at a cheaper price!
 

Do they charge you for extra lines of text on your rubber stamps?  
            (Quick money grab??)

WE DON’T!
At T.S.T. Rubber Stamp it really doesn’t matter what or how much information you need on your rubber stamps. Really, how long does it take to type out a few extra lines of type on a rubber stamp?  Is this not just an EXTRA CHARGE that basically is a cash grab, or hidden fee?  We feel that by avoiding unwarranted charges like this that our customers will see the “VALUE” we include with their purchase, and they too will become loyal to T.S.T. Rubber Stamp.
 

Do they supply you with rubber stamps that are un-assembled and you have to mount the dies yourself.
(Yes, there are some that do this!!).
           (BIG cost cutting measure and mistake in our opinion!!

WE DON’T!
At T.S.T. Rubber Stamp, we feel that something like this is bordering on ridiculous.  We really don’t think an explanation is needed here, except to say that when you do buy that castle, are the windows in a separate pile, and it is up to you to put them in??!!!
 

Do they limit your typestyle choice to only a few?  
            (Cost cutting measure?)            

WE DON’T!
At T.S.T. Rubber Stamp, we strongly believe that sometimes our customers want to emphasize something on their rubber stamp, and a “normal” typestyle just won’t do it!   Because we have been manufacturing self inking and manual hand stamps for over 12 years, once we see what you want to say, we can, and do, typeset all rubber stamps accordingly.  Our thought again is why charge more?  Is it not better to simply include it, make our customers happy, and know they will be loyal because they see the VALUE!
 

Do they offer you a proof of your rubber stamps so you can see what it looks like before it is made?            
           (Or do you trust that their typesetter can read what was written, AND double checks their work for typo’s?)
               (Cost cutting step AND showing disregard as to accuracy and customers needs as far as we’re concerned!)

WE DO!
At T.S.T. Rubber Stamp, we feel that this is a cost cutting measure on the supplier’s part, and strongly believe that a proof of all rubber stamps is next to mandatory!  Because we offer this as a free service to all our customers, many times our customers have said “Thanks for the proof, it gave me a much better idea as to what the stamp will look like.  Now that I can see it, could you please change this for me?”   We have had situations where the proof has gone back and forth 4 or 5 times because they changed their mind either in the layout, text, or typestyle!!   We have also seen numerous times in the past when new customers dealing in the past with other places, the rubber stamp is not done the way they wanted it, and/or there is a typesetting mistake in the information on it!!   Because they never saw a proof.  If you don’t see what you are going to get on YOUR rubber stamp, how can you know that it will be correct, or what it will look like?  Is your address, postal code and phone number typeset properly?  Have you checked it?? You don’t want any surprises when you get your rubber stamp, and nor do we!
 

 Do they charge you for the proof!     
        (Added extra charge!)                              

WE DON’T!
At T.S.T. Rubber Stamp, this is a free service we offer to all our customers, because we believe it is more important to do your rubber stamps right the first time!! We don’t charge for this because we have to typeset it anyway, and your faxed or e-mailed proof is always free of charge.  
 

Do they tell you upfront what the shipping and handling charges will be?
            (Or another small surprise with an EXTRA CHARGE?)        

WE DO!
At T.S.T. Rubber Stamp, we want you to know, as closely as we can, how much you stamp will cost you, delivered to your door!  There are other places where you have no idea what the shipping and handling charges will be and you hope that they will not be outrageous.  Not fair we say!  We tell you up front what the shipping charges are so there will be “NO SURPRISES!”

Are they the actual manufacturer of the rubber stamps?
            Or do they send it out to a third party?
                (Cost cutting, no control, and extra charges???)       

WE ARE!
At T.S.T. Rubber Stamp, WE MAKE THE RUBBER STAMPS!!!  This way, both our customers, and ourselves, have complete control and accuracy.  Through our “FREE PROOF” system, there is no delay in production and no extra third party mark up.  Most orders are shipped via Fed-Ex the next business day after artwork approval!!

IN SUMMARY:   Basically what we are saying is, when you deal with T.S.T. Rubber Stamp, you get exactly what you want, when you want it, all at a FAIR PRICE”, with no hidden extra charges!!

NOW THAT’S VALUE!