Fellow GCA Members,
Grand July……..ahhh 110 plus degrees “back to back” weeks!
Hurry back, we miss you!....(264 members)
Clay and Maker Tool Purchases
Effect Monday, July 17, 2023 all cash and check forms of payment will be discontinued for clay and maker tool purchases from the GCA lobby supply cabinet. Charge (or debit) cards will be the exclusive payment method for all clay and maker tools purchases. The updated payment transition method includes both in-stock, and special-order items.
Since the introduction of the Square charge processing system, charge sales escalated to over 95% of all members clay and maker tool purchases. This development, plus increased bank processing fees, has led to the move to charge only.
Gallery Purchases
The clay and maker tools payment policy does not apply to Gallery transactions. At this time, Gallery customer’s may continue to use cash and check currency (along with credit and debit cards) for lobby Gallery art purchases.
State Sales Tax (8.5%) clay and maker tools
On July 6th an email blast was forwarded to all members outlining the separate 8.5% state sales tax addition to clay and maker tools. The tax is now added at the point of purchase. Using clay as an example, 8.5% state sales tax was covered by margin in the past. Margin is the % spread between the price the club pays for clay from the supplier vs the resale price members pay. Given the rapid acceleration in clay and maker tools prices, GCA will no longer cover state tax through margin % spread on membership purchases. Going forward, a separate line addressing tax will be added to all clay and maker tool purchases.
Example:
$20.00 Clay (25 lbs)
$01.70 Tax (8.5% state sales tax)
$21.70 Total Purchase
Below, note a reprint of the July 6th email blast forwarded last week. For those of us that may have missed the email blast, please review its content. Also, please pay special attention to the margin % calculations. The net effect is clearly visible as to why the move to charge state sales tax separately.
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REPRINT
7.05.23
Grand Clay Arts Members,
Effective 7.06.23 Arizona state sales tax will be added separately to the purchase price of all clay and supplies sold through the GCA studio.
In the past Arizona sales tax was included in the modest GCA clay and supply margins. Given the dramatic supplier price increases this is no longer an option. Going forward Arizona sales tax will be added to all clay and supply sales at the time of members’ retail purchase.
Cost Data
$18.00…..Average 25 lb bag clay cost to GCA from wholesale supplier
$02.00…..Margin
$20.00…..Membership 25 lb cost for all GCA in-stock clay types
Distribution of $2.00 Margin (tax included)
$02.00….Margin per bag after wholesale purchase
$01.20….Freight per bag (averages between .90 to 1.50 per 25 lbs.) U-haul or Motor Freight transport to studio
$01.70….8.5% Arizona state sales tax
$00.40…Transaction fee
$03.30…Total equals <-$1.30> loss per $20.00 / 25 lb bag GCA clay sale to members.
Distribution of $2.00 Margin (tax excluded)
$02.00….Margin per bag after wholesale purchase
$01.20….Freight per bag (average between .90 to 1.50 per 25 lbs) U-Haul or Motor Freight
$00.00….8.5% Arizona state sales tax ($1.70 charged at point of membership clay & supply studio sale)
$00.40….Transaction fee
$01.60….Total equals +$0.40 margin per $20.00 / 25 lb CGA clay sale to members.
GCA is holding clay and supply costs to the tightest margins possible. Hopefully prices will hold at current levels for the foreseeable future.
All Arizona taxes collected by the club is forwarded to CAM. This occurs on a monthly/quarterly basis. CAM handles state tax payments to Arizona on behalf of GCA.
Should you have questions, concerning clay pricing or taxes, please feel free to reach out directly by phone or return email.
Best regards,
Bruce Lucas
President Grand Clay Arts
908.242.1797
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Summertime GCA Studio = Grand Kids!
Meet Sienna Benedict, granddaughter of member of Jim Jensen and his lovely wife. Sienna had a great time creating pottery with “Grandpa Jim” while visiting The Grand. When it was time to head for home, Ms. Benedict, lobbied to stay longer…..Until next summer, Sienna, have a great year!
Highlights!
June newsletter “highlighted” members Terry Cullen and Debbie Meyer for their efforts on behalf of fellow club members. Their involvement helps keep GCA up and running 12 months a year. This month we’re proud to highlight:
July “highlighted” member: Pat Conlen
Pat is the GCA Membership Director. It’s a 12 month a year position. Accurate membership files and records keep GCA operating smoothly. Additionally, Pat welcomes new members to the club, helping them “connect” with key operations to ensure an easy entry into club life. Additionally, Pat oversees the Policy & Procedures (P&P) manual. The P & P is GCA governing documents. These documents support the club’s activities and need to reflect all updated policies addressing club operations This is an ongoing 12 months a year process. Thank you Pat!
July “highlighted” member: Geoff Iverson
Have a problem with your key code when entering the GCA building? How about swiping your card at the monitors desk, and it doesn’t work? The lobby computer crashes, oh! What to do? Call Geoff Iverson…..GCA’s 24 / 7 x 12 month expert on computer and electronic membership related issues. Greatly appreciate Geoff performing his magic on behalf of GCA membership for several years running. By the way, he handles the club membership issues while employed as a full time IT industry executive. Thank you Geoff!
Best wishes to all for a great summer!
Bruce
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Member : Jim Jensen
Phone QR Code = Easy Studio Sign-In
Some of us have QR codes on our CAM cards (new style). QR codes have become common place. I use them to sign into various places here in Grand. It works everywhere they have a scanner: Recreation Centers, Golf Courses and yes at the front desk at the Clay Arts entrance. I keep mine secure on my IPhone in the Apple Wallet with an App called Pass2U. I’m sure Android has an equivalent. I rarely bring my wallet, but like most of us I bring my phone everywhere.
See you around the studio!
