Ceramic Money Box Supplier Recommendations Please

[ginap]

Hi everyone

I've searched the forum for money box suppliers and old threads suggest BMS.

However, I bought a box of 12 a couple of months ago from BMS and only just got around to experimenting with them today.
The batch I've got has quite a few problems:

- different sizes
- rough tops and bottoms
- mottled sort of white - not pure white
- really messy looking plugs
- barrelled bottoms

which is quite a lot considering I've only got 12 (!) and as such I'm getting very variable prints on them using both a mug press and an oven.
Some are fading at the bottom due to the barreling so out of 12 I've made I've only got 7 which are in a sellable quality.
(Other threads mentioned problems with cracking which I haven't had using either the press or the oven so that's a plus point!)

I've had them too long to raise the issue with BMS so I just wondered if there's a better alternative supplier for these?
Or do you think as it was a small 12 pack then they are rejects for experimenting with and that a full case order for 36 would be better quality?

Just for info:
Mug press: 170C for 140 sec. Results: 3 x perfect / 2 x ok-ish / 3 x faded
Oven: 175C 20mins. Results: 2 x perfect / 2 x faded

[mrs maggot]

I stopped doing them after our first lot as they were just as you describe size and finish wise, it is a shame as once they are printed they look great.

[GoonerGary]

It amazes me that it's us, the end user who become the quality control inspector. How many people thought these shoddy blanks were ok to sell?

[Justin]

We dropped them as well, awful things.

[ginap]

Ah...so I'm not the only one!

There seems to be some pretty decent finished ones for those selling on Not On The High Street, Etsy, etc... so I'm wondering now how they're doing it or where they're getting their supplies from.

(Unless, of course, they're not really bothered by the awful finish!)

[Customprintwales]

I've bought them in the past and had really great results when buying from Novachrome.

Expensive compared to some suppliers but excellent quality.

[mrs maggot]

Ah...so I'm not the only one!

There seems to be some pretty decent finished ones for those selling on Not On The High Street, Etsy, etc... so I'm wondering now how they're doing it or where they're getting their supplies from.

(Unless, of course, they're not really bothered by the awful finish!)

I would imagine that a lot of them are selling what they have, and unless someone complains they just carry on selling.

[webtrekker]

Had these from 2 different suppliers - absolute rubbish! Too many faults to mention. I wouldn't sell anything that didn't produce consistent results. You'll be tearing your hair out if you ever get a decent sized order to make.

[ginap]

You'll be tearing your hair out if you ever get a decent sized order to make.

That's what I'm worried about now! Shame as they seemed like a good idea when I bought them!