I called H&M late today - after hourrs - and got one of the purchasing managers on the phone to check status for me. I hadn't spoke with her before so I started up a chat being nosy and all....turns out she buys all the hardware for the company that is used on the upholstery. I asked her if she buys the brass nails. She did. So I asked why some are so much more expensive than others, and she told me that mostly its because they don't use near as many of the 'fancy' nails so there are no large quantity buys. The H&M "A" nail (also known in the trade as a # 9 French Nail) they buy by the truckload, so the prices are good on them.

You'll also be glad to know that H&M nails are solid brass (not brass plated) and are made in Connecticut. USA all the way. I was glad to hear that.