Thanks Leonid for this.
I guess this is aimed at me since I’m the only AGS member who regularly participates here but we certainly have some non-member supporters as well.
The problem here is in the marketing materials put out by AGS, not in the report itself or the service being offered. AGS and it’s members are an important group of clients for AGSL and they requested a custom document be made available for them. This is not so different from the custom report formatting options available from GCAL, IGI and others to their important clients. Since this document can only be issued by an AGS retail member firm anyway, the only people being restricted by the no Internet sales rule are otherwise eligible AGS firms who choose to advertise online. Tiffany & Co. for example. I can’t say that I fully understand why they would want to limit their own members’ advertising in this way but the explanation given is that they would like for this particular report to used to encourage face-to-face sales. In the end, it’s effectively a cooperative advertising program between AGS and certain members where the majority of the costs fall on the members who choose to use it. Members are under no obligation to participate in this program and the ones with an Internet presence or who are considering making one probably won''t. Whether the development and promotion of this is a worthwhile use of members dues and limited AGS resources is an interesting question that will be answered over time but it’s no more a collective snubbing of Internet customers and retailers than AGS sponsored development of TV commercials and print advertising materials is snubbing members who don’t advertise on TV or consumers who don’t read the newspaper.
My guess is that the ‘no Internet’ thing is going to be dropped from the promotional materials forthwith because the issue is entirely covered in the requirement that the report be signed by a titleholder in the presence of the retail consumer. The rule serves no purpose.
The guarantee component is not transferable so, although consumers and aftermarket dealers are welcome to resell whatever they want and in whatever marketplace they can, the new buyer would not be specifically included in the contractual obligations owed by that original retailer. Non-transferable warranties aren’t unusual and, frankly, I wouldn’t describe it as much of a problem. For the second and subsequent buyers, I would not expect this additional report to represent much if anything in the way added value.
Neil,
As a non legal opinion, I would argue with Ms Gardner that her definition of" certificate" is misleading..
Ira,
Presumably the consultation with a Certified Gemologist is happening at the same time that the certificate is being presented to the customer and adding the signature by the titleholder is the culmination of that discussion so I don’t see this as being any problem at all.
The statement on the back is from AGSL, not from either AGS or the retailer. I presume that it was put there by AGSL attorneys who want to establish that THEY aren’t doing anything different here. It’s effectively identical to what appears on the back of both the DQD and DQR. The retailer will need to offer some sort of ‘terms and conditions’ from their own store that explains what offer it is that they are making and why your diamond purchase is better because it comes from them rather than one of their numerous competitors. The consumer then get''s to decide how persuasive this argument is. Whether it''s worth the $59 to the store or if they would be better off simply producing their own paperwork is yet to be seen and I think it depends largely on whether AGS spends significant member resources promoting this particular program to the public. I wouldn''t call it a particularly good use of MY dues but I''m probably not the right person to ask since Independent Appraisers are specifically excluded from the program.
Personally, I wouldn’t recommend signing it but, as a practical matter, the risk to the retailer is rather low unless there is some debate about whether the subject stone is the same one that is described on the report. By signing, the retailer is financially committing to the idea that AGSL will again call it the same color if resubmitted. In practice, the retailer is already making this commitment by presenting themselves as an expert and providing the diamond grading information as part of a sales presentation wherein they are encouraging the consumer to rely on them in making a purchase decision.
I agree. Customers have been trained, in no small part by Internet vendors and by forums like this one, that a dealer who sells diamonds without providing a recognized lab report, is not to be trusted. This is a point of great frustration for responsible jewelers but they too have learned, and the lab business is now one of the best segments of the jewelry industry because of it. The labs are regularly now being used as a substitute for confidence in a jeweler rather than as reinforcement of it. This is hardly limited to diamonds and Americans love their paperwork.
Neil... What percentage of retailers who hold themselves out to be "jewelers" and their sales staff do you think deserve to hold that distinction, by virtue of training, knowledge (and ethics)???? I think the percentge may be in the low teens from what I''ve seen on "shopping" excursions.
Diagem... Many in the industry have taken notatble exception towards Ms Gardner, who seeks to become the guru of appraisal standards, certifying JBAR graduates as qualifed, as a joke, considered a laugh umongst professionals in the industry. At the recent GIA sympoium, Ms Gardner, as I understand it, and been laughed off the stage, or out of the discussions, with snake rattles.
Neil...
It only has value for an educated consumer if it means something and has teeth.
What about VOIP?Date: 5/22/2007 1:27:58 PM
Author: Pricescope
Hi Rock, it was me Irina trying to understand the logic, i guess Leo is done with it. I have a new solitaire design not published yet and plan to deal with a manufacturer on a condition that he will sell this ring ONLY over the Net. I also will specify that use of a telephone is prohibited, well maybe cell phones...
Just for the kick of it
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