From 1 March 2022 all Ti Sento – Milano goods are now shipped by DDP – Delivered Duty Paid – to UK stockists, via the Birmingham Assay Office. This means no extra work, administration or extra customs charges for retailers. In addition, hallmarking for the UK is now being carried out by the Birmingham Assay Office.
Judith Lockwood, Director and Founder of Mesmeric Distribution, said: “There is no doubt we were able to get deliveries to our retailers, but no one enjoyed the extra work, administration and customs costs involved. Hallmarking every piece of our sterling silver jewellery (above 7.78 and below) is [also] really important to us – this gives confidence to our retailers and their consumers and is in line with the quality of the brand’s reputation.”
Marie Brennan, Senior Key Account Manager at the Birmingham Assay Office, said: “The Birmingham Assay Office is absolutely delighted to be working in partnership with Ti Sento – Milano, by providing testing and hallmarking services for the jewellery sold through their retail partners here in the UK. Our aim is to provide first-class hallmarking, ensuring that we deliver a consistently high-quality service within the agreed lead times. The hallmark will give consumers purchasing Ti Sento – Milano jewellery complete assurance that their jewellery has been tested and hallmarked in the UK at the Birmingham Assay Office, which has been protecting consumers of precious metal jewellery for nearly 250 years.”
Damon Barker from stockist D Barker & Son in Alresford, Hampshire, said: “Ordering is now so much easier, every piece ordered is delivered to the Birmingham Assay Office for hallmarking before it comes to us, which is a great selling point for our customers. It is seamless, speedy and with the attention to detail that the team at Mesmeric Distribution do so well.”
Heather Shaw from William & Julia Shaw Jewellers, a stockist in Dodworth, South Yorkshire, added: “So many other EU brands have struggled with the increased complexity and costs of shipping, so it really is a breath of fresh air to hear what Mesmeric, Ti Sento – Milano and the Birmingham Assay Office have been able to achieve. Our regular customers who are brand fans are delighted that we can order more easily than before and speed up their wait. The team here really appreciate all the time and work this has taken.”
Lockwood finishes by saying: “The reaction from our retailers has been fantastic to both the new shipping method and the hallmarking. They all stayed loyal to us through 2021 and we thank them for that and we see sales and orders already growing because of our actions. In addition the support from the Ti Sento – Milano team in Holland has been unwavering and I thank them for their belief in the UK.”
