Our company has grown a lot since 2007, and we now have a lot of first-time customers, commenters and readers. So I want to repeat some of the core principles here at Lost Art Press for those of you who are new here.
1. We will never sell, trade or give your personal information to anyone. Likewise, we never purchase private information for any purpose.
2. We do not accept advertising on our site. Never have. Never will. Yes, our YouTube videos have some advertising pre-rolls that are put there against our will. We hate them and receive no money from them. Our web site has neither donors nor sponsors. The only revenue we receive is from selling products on our site. Period.
3. Every tool that John Hoffman and I own was purchased by ourselves at full retail. We do not accept free tools. Some manufacturers will send us samples for us to test. After testing the tools, we purchase them at full retail, send them back to the manufacturer or donate them to a woodworker or a charity. Our tools are our own.
4. We do not participate in any affiliate programs with any retail web sites. In other words, we do not receive any kickbacks or affiliate payments when we recommend a product. Never have. Never will.
5. Everything we sell is made in the United States. We have nothing against the workers in other countries – everyone’s got to eat. But we believe in supporting our neighbors. And so we work with printers, T-shirt makers and other suppliers who are close by.
If you ever have an ethical concern or question regarding one of our products, please let us know. Our direct e-mails and mailing addresses can be found here.
One last thing: Please do not think this ethics statement is a condemnation of how anyone else conducts his or her business. Their businesses are their own. For us, this is the only way we know how to do business and look at ourselves in the mirror in the morning.
— Christopher Schwarz
Class act all the way Chris ( and gang ).
Look forward to meeting you some day; keep up the good work.
Dave B
Well put, and commendable.
Thank you.
Thank you for a clear statement! And for another bit of German doggerel. Glad I don’t have to read that font all day. Where do you guys dig up these things? They’re such a joy.
If anyone is interested, here’s the text:
Der Studente
Der Band ist fein, doch allzu theuer:
Bey meinen Büchern brauchts kein Feuer,
und auch gar kein Vergulten nicht.
Recht gut planirt, und wohl geschlagen,
davon läßt sichs am meisten fragen,
und wenn ein Buch gut offen liegt.
Der Buchbinder
Nicht diß allein: Auch andre Suchen,
sind nöthig accurat zu machen.
Ein Buch muß fest geheftet seyn,
dann gleich falzirt, und nett beschnitten.
Darum darf man mich gar nicht bitten:
Ich geh’es ungebetten ein.
I’m not sure about some of the terminology (“planirt,” “falzirt”), so here’s a rough translation:
“The student: The volume is fine, but much too dear. My books need no luster and no gilding. Well leveled[?] and bound, that’s what is wanted most, especially when a book lies open well.”
“The book-binder: Not that alone, but other requests must be made accurately. A book must be stitched strongly, then folded[?] evenly and nicely trimmed. No one need request that from me: I offer it without asking.”
So, you’ve chosen a good text for today’s ethical statement. The bookbinder offers not only the quality that his customers request, but also quality craftsmanship in the essential elements customers won’t necessarily see.
Thanks for what you’re doing and keep up the good work.
Yep.. I especially appreciate the statement on tools.
Indeed. “Hear hear”!