another newbie e-ring buying story

[PlayaMan]

The Beginning
Well after months and months of lurking and researching and reading up on past PS posts, I'd like to share my e-ring buying experience. Pricescope really is the best resource on the web for getting informed on the whole ring buying process.

So I started off by reading the diamond advanced tutorial, checked the prices on the diamond search and cut quality search to get an idea of the price ranges for various specs, and read past posts to see what are the most referred online diamond sites. Other helpful sites I browsed through included bluenile, goodoldgold, and niceice.

I also checked out the LA jewelry district just to see in person how the different specs vary but I was going to buy the diamond online all the way. Tension setting was the most intriguing and non traditional setting I have seen that's what I wanted to get.

Next post: The diamond

 

[PlayaMan]

The Diamond

I used the PS diamond search and cut quality search and inputted various specs to see how the prices vary between different specs. I actually plotted in Excel the price range vs. various clarity and color for an AGS0 cut at 1 carat. It turns out a G/VS2 cost about 20% more than a G/VS2, G/SI1, H/SI1. So I went with the latter 3.

Below is what I ended up buying from JamesAllen:
It's an AGS 0009274006
with HCA score of 1.2
I believe I got a pretty good deal on it for a little over $5000.
What do you guys think?

Shape: Round
Carat weight: 1.126
Cut: Ideal
Color: H
Clarity: SI1
Certificate: AGS

Depth: 61.4%
Table: 56.4%
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Girdle: Thin to medium
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 6.67*6.70*4.11

Crown Angle: 34.3°
Crown %: 14.90
pavilion Angle: 40.8°
pavilion %: 43.20

Next Post: JamesAllen

 

[PlayaMan]

JamesAllen

So after reading many and multiple stories about how customer service on internet jeweler I was quite disappointed with my experience with JamesAllen. At first I ordered a different diamond from JamesAllen.com and the next morning I called them to request a delivery hold at FedEx location. The CSA then told me the stone I order have multiple noticable inclusions at the center of table. And I asked him how he knew, and he said from looking at the Real Diamond Image feature on the webpage using the virtual loupe. I just thought that was odd that he was telling me about the stone''s defect from looking at the image, and as if he didn''t want me to buy it.

So I ended up buying a different stone(the one I currently have) from them at a lower price.

The shipping part is where it gets even more interesting. I have asked for them to place a hold at the FedEx location so I can pick it up. On JamesAllen''s delivery confirmation email made no mention of this so I called FedEx on morning of delivery and they said it would be delivered to me. I thought, ok I will have to miss a few hours of work to wait for it to come. I did the usual update FedEx online tracking every 5 minutes til it comes routine, and lo and behold, a delivery exception of Incorrect Address came up. I immediately called FedEx and was told they''re missing my apartment number?!?! so I put a hold on the package for pick up and I take off for work. I picked up the package after work.

Bottom Line: Did not leave a on hold notice, forgot to add my apt # on address,
Missed 2 hours of work.

Next post: The Appraiser

 

[arjunajane]

"I immediately called FedEx and was told they're missing my apartment number?!?! so I put a hold on the package for pick up and I take off for work. I picked up the package after work. Bottom Line: Did not leave a on hold notice, forgot to add my apt # on address,
Missed 2 hours of work."


Vendors, just like everyone else, make mistakes. I am not by any means saying you don't have the right to be miffed, but to me this seems like a pretty small
issue - the package didn't get lost or anything..


"I just thought that was odd that he was telling me about the stone's defect from looking at the image, and as if he didn't want me to buy it.So I ended up buying a different stone(the one I currently have) from them at a lower price."


I'm sorry, but I don't really get why you're not happy here? Your rep warned you not to buy an included stone, so you got a better one at a lower price? What is there not to be happy about?
My apologies if I've misunderstood your post, but its not really making sense imho.

Have you contacted your rep at James Allen to let them know of your issues?