Greetings Mark800:
To address your first question "Ho do they work?" and the question
regarding features, here is an explanation from
http://www.yellodyno.com/html/dnahome.html
"Our "at-home" DNA I.D. kit is primarily designed to archive DNA for
identification or kinship analysis. DNA is collected by the
NON-INVASIVE procedure of rubbing the inside of the cheeks to collect
buccal cells on a specially designed, color-coded swab. No blood
sample is required. The swabs are blotted to a special paper that has
been treated with chemicals to sterilize and stabilize the DNA. After
drying, the card is stored at ROOM TEMPERATURE. The DNA is stable for
an extended period of time provided the sample is kept in a dry
environment. The storage card uses patented, state-of-the-art
technology similar to that used by the FBI and United States Armed
Forces. The card is placed in a forensic quality envelope (provided in
the kit) for long-term storage. The DNA specimen is typically archived
with family records in a safe, safety deposit box or file cabinet."
In comparing prices across many sites, I located the single kits from
"free" to $19.95 and the site at
http://www.sexoffender.com/childid.htm offers this information:
"The use of DNA is now the preferred method the FBI and Missing
Children's Center uses for ID tracing and tracking of missing
children. This kit is the most affordable DNA collection and ID
package on the market, one that is endorsed by the National Missing
Children's Organization who models and works with the FBI's division
in stranger abduction of children...We provide the kits at this very
affordable price as our effort to help the parents organize this ever
important information...The purchase of the Child ID & DNA Kit works
to support our efforts for child safety at www.sexoffender.com and our
sister site at www.childabuse.com"
Also, it appears that unless fingerprints are taken with extreme care,
they are many times useless. They have to be perfectly readable and
smudge-free to be of any use for identification. These days, the DNA
swab test seems to be the way to go for the best ID.
*************
Regarding companies that sell them, there are many and I’ve included
the ones that seemed most respectable. I'll list the web site with
contact information (when presented) beginning with the price for the
kit at that site (and multiple ordering prices where applicable).
$3.95
http://www.sexoffender.com/childid.htm
$9.95 - Code Amber DNA ID kit
http://www.sexoffender.com/codeamber_dna.html
“Code Amber offers the simplest and most effective DNA kits available
to the public today, the same DNA kits used by Federal Law
Enforcement”
(mailto:codeamber_wholesale@childabuse.com for volume pricing)
Sexoffender.com
PO Box 91162
Anchorage, Alaska 99509-1162
http://www.sexoffender.com
Investor Relations Contact
M.G. Rock, CFO
mailto:stopit@sexoffender.com
mailto:specialist@sexoffender.com
I have emailed inquiring about wholesale pricing of both kits above
and I hope they respond back promptly.
************
$19.95 – simple DNA ID kit
Yello Dyno, Inc.
203 Barsana Avenue
Austin, TX 78737 USA
Voice: (512) 288-2882 (extensions below)
Fax: (512) 288-2898
Dennis Wagner, President (x101)
mailto:dw@yellodyno.com
I phoned them and received a recording so I left my contact
information and I’ll let you know when they call back.
***********
$15.00
http://www.locateourchildren.org/htmdocs/services_programs/dna_lifeprint_service.html
Operation Locate Our Children
P.O. Box 818
Milwaukee, WI 53201
mailto:info@locateourchildren.org
888-372-5925
I left a message here as well. (Doesn’t ANYONE answer the phone
anymore??)
************
$9.95 - Child DNA
http://www.readyorg.com/ready_dna_kit.html
or adult DNA kits
http://www.readyorg.com/ready_adult_dna_kit.html
MAIN: http://www.readyorg.com/dna_fingerprint_kits.html
ReadyOrg.com
c/o Thumbprint Graphics
321 West Avenue
Elyria, Ohio 44035
1-440-284-0231 (speak with April-Lynn)
1-440-458-4137 (speak with Linda)
1-440-315-0143 (live help or voice mail)
mailto:info@readyorg.com
Another message left...
*********
$5.00 - shipping complimentary!
http://www.childwatch.com/DNAKits.htm
Child Watch of North America - National Headquarters
7380 Sand Lake Rd., Ste. 500
Orlando, Florida 32819
Hotline - 888.CHILDWATCH
Bus. Phone - 407.290.5100
Fax - 407.290.1613
mailto:info@childwatch.org
Also see the page at
http://www.childwatch.com/contact_information%20B.htm for more
contacts across the US.
A REAL PERSON ANSWERED! Lol And, to be honest, this may be the place
you may choose to purchase kits. I spoke with a very nice lady named
Sandy and she informed me that they ARE a non-profit organization, and
they offer many different services of this nature. She returned my
call promptly and shared their toll-free number: 800-928-2445.
1,000 - $5.00
5,000 - $4.75
10,000 - $4.25
Remember, these prices INCLUDE the shipping cost.
***********
Here are do-it-yourself instructions that use regular household items
for DNA collection and storage. Your company might choose to put
together their own kits for a fraction of the cost of others. All
you’d need to do for your own kit would be to have a paper envelope
printed as the package with your business name/logo/kit name (how
attractive a package would be up to your budget) and then put the
swabs and baggies in the package with instructions. You could
probably make as attractive a package that’s out there now and it
would be company oriented. I’d wager the biggest cost for the other
kits on the market are the printed boxes.
Do-It-Yourself DNA ID – Instructions (NO COST) from
http://www.klaaskids.org/pg_cs_dnakit.htm
Required Equipment:
· One cotton swab
· Two zip-lock plastic baggies
Procedure:
· Rub a clean (sterile if possible) cotton swab* on inside of cheek
until moist.
· Let cotton swab air dry for twenty-four hours.
· When dry, place cotton swab in a zip-lock bag and seal bag.
· Label with permanent pen - child's name and sample date.
· Save in freezer until needed.
· Follow the same procedure for blood sample. However, wait until
child scrapes or cuts him/herself before taking sample.
· You may also save baby teeth in same manner.
· You can also use sterile gauze or a clean piece of filter paper.
There are firms that sell small zip-lock bags of different sizes such
as http://www.firemountaingems.com/shopping.asp?skw=KWSTORZIPCLEARSIDE-
if you look at the dimensions of the bags, you’ll see there are many
size options (the image used for all is the same so look at the
dimensions). There are also bags available with a white strip so that
they may be written on at
http://www.royalbag.com/white_block_reclosable_bags.asp
I phoned the people at http://www.dojes.com/ (they sell forensic
supplies) to see how much a forensic file envelope would be since I
saw that term in a couple of kits.
The lady I spoke with told me that they are actually “paper coin
envelopes” and they order them bulk from coin supplies dealers. I
phoned a coin dealer and he said all coin envelopes were 2”x2” and he
suggested I contact Uline, an office supplies firm. Their bag is
located at http://www.uline.com/ProductDetail.asp?model=S-6285. They
call them “kraft coin envelopes” and they measure 2 ½” x 4 1/4" which
is a good size for the swabs if you wanted to choose paper instead of
plastic.
To purchase swabs see example pricing at
http://www.hardydiagnostics.com/catalog/user/ProductDetails.asp?poid=258062PD
and
http://www.hardydiagnostics.com/catalog/user/ProductDetails.asp?poid=175KS01
********
I found a free kit advertised and contacted them to see about bulk
ordering. The kits sample is located at
http://www.genetree.com/product/free-kit.asp
2495 South West Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84115
Toll Free: (888) 404-GENE
Phone: (801) 461-9757
Fax: (801) 461-9761
or
3150 Almaden Expressway, Ste. #203
San Jose, CA 95118
Toll Free: (888) 404-GENE
Phone: (408) 723-2670
Fax: (408) 723-2671
I phoned there and got my second ‘real person” – I spoke with a
gentleman named Brian. I explained what you were considering doing and
asked if the Gene Tree kits could be purchased in bulk and/or jointly
distributed from both you and Gene Tree as an advertising specialty.
Brian said that *is done and told me that Terry Carmichael at
408-891-4296 could answer all my questions….yet ANOTHER message left.
lol
*********
As soon as I hear back from the other companies, I will post their
bulk pricing information. You had stated “if possible” regarding the
bulk prices and I appreciate that leeway since I kept getting message
machines.
Should you require clarification of any of the links or information I
have provided, please request it and I will be happy to respond.
SEARCH STRATEGY:
DNA ID kit children
Free DNA ID kit children
“fire mountain” bags
“white block” zip bags
“coin envelopes” wholesale
free "DNA kit"
individually wrapped sterile swabs |
Clarification of Answer by
journalist-ga
on
30 Jun 2003 11:03 PDT
Hi Mark800:
April from ReadyOrg.com just returned my call with the following
information:
ReadyOrg.com is NOT a non-profit company. Their listing:
$9.95 - Child DNA
http://www.readyorg.com/ready_dna_kit.html
or adult DNA kits
http://www.readyorg.com/ready_adult_dna_kit.html
MAIN: http://www.readyorg.com/dna_fingerprint_kits.html
ReadyOrg.com
c/o Thumbprint Graphics
321 West Avenue
Elyria, Ohio 44035
1-440-284-0231 (speak with April-Lynn)
1-440-458-4137 (speak with Linda)
1-440-315-0143 (live help or voice mail)
mailto:info@readyorg.com
Bulk pricing on child kits are as follows -
UNITS DNA+Fingerprint ONLY DNA+Fingerprint PLUS kit
1,000 $1.99 ($115 ship cost) $5.05 (shipping included)
5,000+ $1.50 ($200 ship cost) $4.65 (shipping included)
10,000 $1.50 ($275 ship cost) $3.95 (shipping included)
The PLUS kit includes the DNA swabs and fingerprint cards plus extras
like safe shoe labels, 2 photo ID cards, practice sheets for helping
child remember phone numbers and parental info, and more.
The shipping cost is based on a zip code to middle Tennessee (37388)
from Ohio (44035). Because I didn't know your zip code, I wanted to
give them some base for shipping calculation.
Also, readyOrg.com will imprint the product you choose with company
name/info/logo/etc for only an extra $100 (printing set-up fee).
More to come, I hope, as other messages I left are answered. :)
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
mark800-ga
on
30 Jun 2003 14:58 PDT
Wow! Thank you for the excellent research. Please post any follow up
info you get from the calls made. I'm reading through your information
right now. I'll comment more when I have digested it all.
|
Clarification of Answer by
journalist-ga
on
30 Jun 2003 15:45 PDT
No more callbacks so far but I will post the info as I receive it. If
I don't get responses by tomorrow afternoon, I'll contact each once
more. I'm hoping all will contact me so that you can effectively
compare costs.
|
Clarification of Answer by
journalist-ga
on
01 Jul 2003 08:30 PDT
It's almost noon and I have resent the Code Amber email inquiry and
phoned the other firms again. As I was phoning, Terry Carmichael of
Gene Tree was available and he told me what they could provide.
Their listing above:
http://www.genetree.com/product/free-kit.asp
2495 South West Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84115
Toll Free: (888) 404-GENE
Phone: (801) 461-9757
Fax: (801) 461-9761
or
3150 Almaden Expressway, Ste. #203
San Jose, CA 95118
Toll Free: (888) 404-GENE
Phone: (408) 723-2670
Fax: (408) 723-2671
I spoke with Terry Carmichael at 408-891-4296
Gene Tree's current kit contains 3 sets of wrapped sterile swabs so it
can accomodate three tests. There is nothing in the kit about home
banking the DNA sample and Terry said it could be easily added. The
bulk price for all quantities would be $2.50 for the kit you see at
http://www.genetree.com/product/free-kit.asp - accurate shipping cost
would require your zip code.
Another possibility, he said, was a custom single kit prepared by
them. If you order 5,000+, Gene Tree would custom imprint your own
single kits for $1.50 each, no matter the quantity. Terry said it
would take a minimum of 2 weeks to fulfill the order. The kits would
be shrinkwrapped and include separate bar codes for each kit for
tracking should the user decided to use the Gene Tree services. Also,
he said that if any samples were returned to them from your batch,
your company would receive 25% on all services Gene Tree rendered to
folks from your give-away.
Then he told me of another place, endorsed by America's Most Wanted.
The name is DNA LifePrint and I searched their name and located them
at http://www.dna-lifeprint.com/dna-lifeprint.html - he said that Gene
Tree is partnered with them and their kit is $15.00 but could be
purchased in bulk for as low as $5.00
I checked my answer list and, bingo, there is the related listing
(offered at a different site but the same service):
$15.00
http://www.locateourchildren.org/htmdocs/services_programs/dna_lifeprint_service.html
from
Operation Locate Our Children
P.O. Box 818
Milwaukee, WI 53201
mailto:info@locateourchildren.org
888-372-5925
So the LifePrint service may be bulk purchased for $5.00 on 5,000+
Also, on the Code Amber email, this is the automatic response that I
have now received twice:
Thank you for contacting www.childabuse.com, prevention of child abuse
and protecting your kids is our primary concern.
CodeAmber.org, ChildAbuse.com and Vision Media have teamed up to bring
Code:Amber Child Safety Events to your community.
Code:Amber Child Safety Events have been successfully implemented at
hundreds of locations such as car dealerships, hospitals, radio
stations, Churches, banks, grocery stores and many more. All orders
help support Code Amber and are shipped on the next business day.
Code Amber offers the simplest and most effective DNA kits available
to the public today, the same DNA kits used by Federal Law
Enforcement. We offer wholesale pricing for orders of 500 or more.
One of our representatives will be happy to contact you about special
event pricing for our DNA kits in the 24-48 hours (business day).
Childabuse.com
Safety Events Div.
CODE AMBER DNA KITS
Response Team
More information to follow as it arrives from the other companies.
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
mark800-ga
on
01 Jul 2003 21:13 PDT
Thanks again for the followup.
So GeneTree offers a storage service? Is that what the 25% cut would
come from?
I'm really interested in the Code Amber program. I take it this is not
a non-profit. How do they coordinate events? Do they do them in
conjunction with volume purchase? Do they just offer marketing advise?
Do they have an event kit? Whatever ifno you have on this is
appreciated. I realize that I will need to make contact to get more
specific info if we decide to go forward.
I'm going to tip based on your excellent research and followup. Also
to compensate for the phone charges.
Mark
|
Request for Answer Clarification by
mark800-ga
on
01 Jul 2003 21:18 PDT
One more thing... after all info is in, do you have any general
thoughts on the companies and/or products offered.
|
Clarification of Answer by
journalist-ga
on
02 Jul 2003 13:09 PDT
It's currently 4:00 CST and I've not received word from the Code Amber
or the remaining companies. ?? I'm truly confused as to why *anyone*
wouldn't respond immediately to a message containing "I'm interested
in purchasing 10,000 kits" lol Oh, well. I'll stay on top of it and
post any info as it comes in.
Regarding GeneTree, they are a DNA testing service. They test for
paternity, etc - all types of DNA tests. If you gave a kit out to
someone who wanted to further use GeneTree services, then Gene Tree
would know from their individual bar codes (generated for your
product) and they would note 25% back to you of whatever the customer
spent.
I wish I could tell you more about Code Amber from their reply but
they have yet to respond except with that auto-response email. I
searched a bit and located:
Code Amber Events
http://www.childsafetyevents.com/
"Code Amber is the nationally recognized leader in child safety. Our
organization is on the forefront of the Amber Plans and Amber Alerts
nationwide. We regularly appear at corporate sponsored child safety
events to increase parental awareness of child safety issues, products
and services. Please review our site and contact us for your next
child safety fair or child safety event.
"Law Enforcement agencies nationwide utilize the resources of Code
Amber to help find children from their community. If you represent a
law enforcement agency and would like to add the Code Amber "Alert"
ticker to your web site please contact us and we will email you the
link to download the ticker and screensaver for free.
"The Amber Alert has been proven to be a highly active tool to aid in
the recovery of an abducted child. Ordinary citizens have become
roadside detectives. It is because of the effectiveness of the Amber
Alert, and also the normal citizen's willingness to get involved, that
Code Amber has become such a great success.
"Code Amber child safety programs is seeking corporate sponsors for
2004.
We are seeking sponsors of our highly successful child safety and
community events for the upcoming 2004 calendar year. Code Amber is
the 1st name in children's safety programs. We provide sponsors with
name recognition , state of the art programs and services, and we
totally coordinate the entire event."
There's more on that site. See also "The Origin of the Amber Plan" at
http://members.freshwaterco.com/jan01/codeamber.html
Thank you so much for your rating, comments and added generosity!
It's a pleasure working with you on this project as I think it's a
fine idea for goodwill in the community. I would take note of a
company offering something useful and important like this as a
give-away instead of plastic rainhats or fridge magnets or yet another
yardstick. It's a fine committment to community service, in my
opinion. :)
|
Clarification of Answer by
journalist-ga
on
02 Jul 2003 14:22 PDT
General thoughts:
For price, the firms of ReadyOrg and Gene Tree came in with the lowest
bid at $1.50 - but they aren't non-profit.
ChildWatch IS a non-profit and their $4.50 for 10,000 does include
shipping.
If CodeAmber does corporate functions, this may be something to
persue. Their blurbs in my last clarification "We regularly appear at
corporate sponsored child safety events to increase parental awareness
of child safety issues, products and services" and "We are seeking
sponsors of our highly successful child safety and community events
for the upcoming 2004 calendar year. Code Amber is the 1st name in
children's safety programs. We provide sponsors with name recognition
, state of the art programs and services, and we totally coordinate
the entire event" are interesting as that may be the best way to draw
the most attention to your community's needs.
The contact information for the http://www.childsafetyevents.com/ Code
Amber is an online contact form at
http://www.childsafetyevents.com/contact.htm
More about the various programs is located at
http://www.childsafetyevents.com/about.htm and the email for that site
directly is mailto:mediaone@gcctv.com
|
Clarification of Answer by
journalist-ga
on
03 Jul 2003 11:56 PDT
Hi Mark:
No one else has returned my calls but I did receive the following
email from April at ReadyOrg.com. I asked if I might quote her here
and she granted me permission.
She worte in part:
"I would like to however reiterate my company’s interest in what Mark
is looking for. We also assemble custom kits and could upgrade our DNA
kit to include a different type of DNA sampling technique, though the
inexpensive, easy to use and store kits we standardly use suit the
purpose.
"We are running into the holiday weekend and will be closed Friday but
I can be reached at 440-315-0143.
April mailto:aboycik@apk.net 440-284-0231"
I'll keep you posted should the other companies answer my queries.
|
Clarification of Answer by
journalist-ga
on
05 Jul 2003 06:07 PDT
I have received a response from Code Amber:
Prices are as follows for bulk orders of the Child ID Kit:
1000 units: $1.33 ea UPS: $30-38.00
5000 units: $1.27 ea UPS: $40-55.00
10000 units: $1.17 ea UPS: Shipping rate requires quotation from UPS after
total weights are known and box measurements are available.
FOB: New York port
Shipping is via UPS, all shipping prices are estimated, final shipping
costs will be determined when the order is packed, box is weighed and
measured. Shipping rates are based on cost of box/handling, UPS current
shipping rates. UPS orders are insured and tracked to their US physical
destination (no POB's please).
Payment:
Corporate check or bank draft, personal checks may delay shipment by 10
days. These prices are built to maximize your savings, credit cards bank
fees are 2.8%. There is no state sales tax as your order is placed with
our corporate offices here in Anchorage, Alaska....an 8% savings in most
states. Corporate: Arctic Originals, Inc.
Please call when you are ready to order, we are able to provide 3 day
turn-around time on your order once placed and your choice of payment is
received.
We look forward to your call and order.
Sincerely,
Gregory Chase
Client Services
Child ID Kit corporate orders
888-254-8433 toll free
907-279-9096 fax
Arctic Originals, Inc.
since 1973
|
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