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Are Vendors justified hating PSers?

Don’t many of these vendors get extra, free publicity from this site? Especially if their names are listed in the “recommended vendors” section? I’m not saying they should treat PS members in a special way, and I get that some people may be super picky, but I would imagine they’ve made extra sales as a result.
 
arkieb1 said:
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@kenny - O.K perhaps I should have written Are vendors justified strongly disliking PSers and having public meltdowns online....
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Thanks, but I'm just ranting at the sky.
Languages evolve over time.
I'm just a grumpy old man who sometimes doesn't like change.
 
From the "other side".......
Firstly- how a company treats people is the MOST important quality in my opinion.
Regardless of the quality of goods.
So, IMHO, a vendor who disparages PS to clients is truly shooting themselves directly in the foot.
For me, there's no middle ground on this one. If a person wants to be in the business of selling to the public, you must be able to handle questions/attitudes you may not find personally acceptable in a polite manner.
It's like speaking badly about someone. You're only speaking about yourself.
I can understand a vendor not wanting to deal with PS members ( although I think that's a crazy move to be taken on a broad scale- people do vary) but there's a polite way of doing it.

And there's really a lot to this because there are vastly different business models for different sellers.
As an example- some companies may be fine with a consumer purchasing multiple stones with the intent of returning the ones they don't like.
For sure, I'm guilty of this when shopping at Costco....but if I was shopping at a Mom and Pop store, I'd be far more hesitant to do it.
Returns cost- a lot.

Another challenging aspect- whatever one says to a PS customer can be broadcast to the world.
But that's true with ANY consumer you may speak to.
So again, it's really common sense. Trash talk can get one in big trouble. Especially if you're a vendor.

Speaking as a vendor, it can be frustrating when someone does not like you, having nothing to do with diamonds, or jewlery- for whatever reason, and they continually make implications or other insults. We're all people...and being insulted hurts. As a prominent member here likes to say "people vary",( but most people don't like to be treated poorly)

And then there's the "fan boy" syndrome.
It's really not too hard to notice that there are fan-favorite vendors that are untouchable due to incredibly dedicated fans. Of course, the defenders have that right.
But I think that where it gets dicey is that people who are not regulars are coming here for advice on stones, are not necessarily aware of the preferences and fan dedication.
Again, every member has that right- but from the other side- it can discourage vendors from posting- and give them a prejudice against PS members.
Put yourself in a vendor position. You have a stone in front of you which you are recommending in the best faith- yet when it's posted here, the comments discourage the potential buyer- for reasons that don't always seem realistic.

Bottom line- for us, it's worth the effort- but I can understand why some vendors don't agree- although I think it's foolish for them to publically deride this forum.
 
Rockdiamond said:
although I think it's foolish for them to publically deride this forum.
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I agree. I've been a member here a long time and have seen vendors forgiven for far more egregious things than voicing their opinion that PSers are hard to please, self-absorbed and difficult to deal with. That accusation about us pops up here every now and then and is not without some merit. We each have a line we draw with this kind of stuff. I don't care if a vendor thinks I'm a pain in the butt as long as I believe the vendor has overall good character. However, even good character matters not to me if a vendor, through any professional business-related means, foists his political or religious viewpoints on me. Then imma get mean.
 
@Matata - or any vendor starts mansplaining stuff to us (and it's not a joke), and then justifies it or makes excuses for their general behaviour in terms of things like class, race and gender....
 
It’s a number of factors in my opinion.
Buyers are exposed to more information (and that doesn’t always translate into education) and are therefore more demanding. Online shopping is a two edged sword, lots more choices but which one do you pick? Ok, I’ll order in 5 or 10 and decide after which one, if any, to keep.
Buyer sees Tiffany or other designer jewellery online, wants local jewellery guy to reproduce it for much cheaper and then isn’t happy because the guy refused to replica another’s work or it doesn’t look as good as the original.
Vendors margins are tighter and online shopping means there’s lots of competition for business. In this internet age buyers send an email enquiry and want a response within the hour. If you were in a jewellery store you would notice if there was 10 customers ahead of you so you’d know you have to wait your turn or come back later. Buyers now sit at their keyboard expecting instant response as if they are the only client in the vendor has.
Time is money. Answering heaps of enquires takes time, taking more photos takes time, processing returns takes time and if you’re a vendor with tight profit margins basically working for no sales is crippling. Then to add insult to injury, the keyboard warrior buyer starts venting all over the internet that you are unhelpful and “don’t buy from xyz”.
Poor xyz only declined to supply yet another set of photos in daylight, upside down, in the shade, under office lighting, alongside choice B, C and D and the 3rd return of a gem!
That said buyers are entitled to seek information that helps them make a purchasing decision, buying sight unseen means you expect a fair return policy if the gem disappoints in real life but unfortunately some people are just too expensive (too many demands not translating into sales) to have as a client.
 
I will not buy from Dan Stair of Jim McCormick in future: their public ranting was astonishingly unprofessional and thoroughly distasteful.

I have no issue with vendors developing policies that protect their interests. A surcharge for each additional photo and video seems very fair. A restocking fee seems very reasonable. But I don't really care how many dreadful customers you've had - as a vendor, I expect you to keep your venting private, and I expect you to establish those policies in an inoffensive and nondiscrimatory fashion. Frankly if what they're doing - and the calibre at which they're doing it - was truly niche there wouldn't be sufficient competition to keep prices so aggressive and margins so low; their ire belies its subject :roll:
 
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The PS'ers I've sold Opals to have been nothing short of great to deal with. Yes, a PS'er will ask for more photos and videos of a stone and I understand why. But on the flip side, a lot of people buying Opal aren't sure what they are buying whereas a PS'er is usually quite knowledgeable and know what they want already. So I don't have to figure that out, I just have to see if I have the right stone in stock.

Also, I work very closely with most
of my customers buying Opals so my return rate is quite low. We always try to find the right stone the first time.
 
jordyonbass said:
So I don't have to figure that out, I just have to see if I have the right stone in stock.
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By the way if I sound like I am complaining about people who aren't as knowledgeable as PS'ers here, I'm not. I have always been an open book to anyone wanting to learn anything I know about practically anything I spend vast amounts of time doing and I especially enjoy teaching people about Opal and finding a stone that suits their taste. It's actually satisfying for me to see that moment of realization when someone has found that they like a Black Opal with blues and greens, or a White Opal with gem colour. I feel like it's a moment that I've shared with someone where the passion for Opal is mutual.

PS'ers come to me with that passion and knowledge already, which is also fantastic as we can immediately start talking Opal and discuss what they want so we can find the perfect gem very quickly.
 
If PS had as many male posters/buyers as it does women I don't think we'd be seeing this kind of reaction from vendors. The fact that the buyers are nearly all female plays a large role, although the vendors might deny this. It fits in perfectly with the stereotype of the difficult hard to please female who spends her time annoying people.

Are there certain PS posters who are probably a nightmare to deal with? I'm sure, and I'll bet I could guess one or two. But to tar and feather everyone on PS simply because of a few over the top cases is kind of ridiculous.
 
doberman said:
If PS had as many male posters/buyers as it does women I don't think we'd be seeing this kind of reaction from vendors.
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I can only speak from personal experience....but this is not the case with us.
Some guys can be totally obsessed with small details...while many of the women we've worked with were more concerned with beauty.....
Some vendors are just not able to deal with the "PS mentality" regardless of gender. I've spoken with a lot of vendors over the years.....like anything else, people vary....and some of the ones I've spoken with expressed views which I found personally abhorrent.....
 
Rockdiamond, I have not purchased from you but I am a “fanboy” of yours and your merchandise!
 
Rockdiamond said:
I can only speak from personal experience....but this is not the case with us.
Some guys can be totally obsessed with small details...while many of the women we've worked with were more concerned with beauty.....
Some vendors are just not able to deal with the "PS mentality" regardless of gender. I've spoken with a lot of vendors over the years.....like anything else, people vary....and some of the ones I've spoken with expressed views which I found personally abhorrent.....
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Oh I certainly dont think many vendors are like this. But I imagine there's a couple who are. I've never had a problem with anyone, including one individual who has the reputation of being....challenging, so it's not something I've encountered myself. But looking at the screed posted by the vendor mentioned in the colored stones forum gave me a misogynist vibe.
 
kenny said:
Hating?
Really?

When I was growing up "hate" was used to mean something so strong that hate was not used often.
Today hate's meaning has been diluted to, "dislike", so it's used 100 times more than it was in my day. :nono:

I'm not sure why they (who?) invented this annoying new use for a very harsh old word instead of just using, "dislike".
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Mum? Is that you ?
:kiss2: ;)2
 
I will preface by saying I've met a lot of PSers and am good friends with a lot of the older members from my early days. Most are wonderful, knowledgeable, and funny as hell. I have no problem taking more photos or videos in different lighting, and I have met people in person so they can view the pieces. That said, some PSers are pretty demanding and entitled, to the point of shocking. (almost all were people I don't know at all, but have made clear they are Pricescopers)

Here are some good ones I remember off the top of my head from LT emails. They are all from different people who made clear they were PSers:

"But I'm a PSer, don't I get a discount? What good is being a pricescope member if I can't get things cheaper?"

"Find me something just like the one you sold because you already sold it before I decided to email you! I don't care if you bought it years ago and it's an antique piece!"

"because you sold it already, I want you to custom make one exactly like it and sell it to me at a discount" "but I'd lose money?" "that's part of the business isn't it? why would you post it for sale if you can't make more?"

"I know I emailed you two weeks ago and never responded but I just decided to buy it. Why isn't it still available? Why didn't you hold it for me?" (because you never responded to my email)

"Why can't you take 60% off, you have other pieces and it's not like i'm asking you to give it to me for free. I'll leave you good feedback on Pricescope and you get free advertisement" (umm)

I've even received two emails saying I should sell them XYZ because they lost their baby recently and deserves to buy something that wasn't for sale. How do you even answer that? As someone who had a miscarriage, I was horrified that someone would use that to gain sympathy. If a non-vendor like myself has received such messages/emails, I can't even imagine what some sellers have encountered.
 
ForteKitty said:
I will preface by saying I've met a lot of PSers and am good friends with a lot of the older members from my early days. Most are wonderful, knowledgeable, and funny as hell. I have no problem taking more photos or videos in different lighting, and I have met people in person so they can view the pieces. That said, some PSers are pretty demanding and entitled, to the point of shocking. (almost all were people I don't know at all, but have made clear they are Pricescopers)

Here are some good ones I remember off the top of my head from LT emails. They are all from different people who made clear they were PSers:

"But I'm a PSer, don't I get a discount? What good is being a pricescope member if I can't get things cheaper?"

"Find me something just like the one you sold because you already sold it before I decided to email you! I don't care if you bought it years ago and it's an antique piece!"

"because you sold it already, I want you to custom make one exactly like it and sell it to me at a discount" "but I'd lose money?" "that's part of the business isn't it? why would you post it for sale if you can't make more?"

"I know I emailed you two weeks ago and never responded but I just decided to buy it. Why isn't it still available? Why didn't you hold it for me?" (because you never responded to my email)

"Why can't you take 60% off, you have other pieces and it's not like i'm asking you to give it to me for free. I'll leave you good feedback on Pricescope and you get free advertisement" (umm)

I've even received two emails saying I should sell them XYZ because they lost their baby recently and deserves to buy something that wasn't for sale. How do you even answer that? As someone who had a miscarriage, I was horrified that someone would use that to gain sympathy. If a non-vendor like myself has received such messages/emails, I can't even imagine what some sellers have encountered.
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o_O absolutely horrible about using a miscarriage to get a discount. OMG - that is disgusting!
 
ForteKitty said:
I will preface by saying I've met a lot of PSers and am good friends with a lot of the older members from my early days. Most are wonderful, knowledgeable, and funny as hell. I have no problem taking more photos or videos in different lighting, and I have met people in person so they can view the pieces. That said, some PSers are pretty demanding and entitled, to the point of shocking. (almost all were people I don't know at all, but have made clear they are Pricescopers)

Here are some good ones I remember off the top of my head from LT emails. They are all from different people who made clear they were PSers:

"But I'm a PSer, don't I get a discount? What good is being a pricescope member if I can't get things cheaper?"

"Find me something just like the one you sold because you already sold it before I decided to email you! I don't care if you bought it years ago and it's an antique piece!"

"because you sold it already, I want you to custom make one exactly like it and sell it to me at a discount" "but I'd lose money?" "that's part of the business isn't it? why would you post it for sale if you can't make more?"

"I know I emailed you two weeks ago and never responded but I just decided to buy it. Why isn't it still available? Why didn't you hold it for me?" (because you never responded to my email)

"Why can't you take 60% off, you have other pieces and it's not like i'm asking you to give it to me for free. I'll leave you good feedback on Pricescope and you get free advertisement" (umm)

I've even received two emails saying I should sell them XYZ because they lost their baby recently and deserves to buy something that wasn't for sale. How do you even answer that? As someone who had a miscarriage, I was horrified that someone would use that to gain sympathy. If a non-vendor like myself has received such messages/emails, I can't even imagine what some sellers have encountered.
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that's gross. there's no way to know but i wonder if the %age of unreasonable customers is higher compared to other types of businesses. for anyone who thinks what good is being a pricescope member if you can't get things cheaper....most of these sellers ARE cheaper than retail prices, the value is in learning what overpriced things to avoid imho.
 
@ForteKitty I had no idea! That's shocking to hear. I'm such an easygoing customer. I would love to buy anything you had available, no questions asked, lol. I totally trust your judgement, and would never question your pricing. How rude is that? Wow.
 
FK, sorry some people suck so much.
I'd just tell them to bite me, but I'm not a vendor.

Sounds like you're a trade member now.
Congratulations. :clap:
 
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kenny said:
FK, sorry some people suck so much.
I'd just tell them to bite me, but I'm not a vendor.

Sounds like you're a trade member now.
Congratulations. :clap:
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LOL not really. I'm just selling some stuff on loupetroop. Somehow i've amassed over 400 items and it's out of control...
 
@ForteKitty, I'm sorry for your bad experiences, I've had exactly the same experience with several PSers, like the well known PSer who threw a hissy fit when I wouldn't sell her big lemony for the price she demanded then instigated a pile on that I must be somehow trying to make money on it (I sold it for less than I paid for it) on here....

However, I've put photos of gemstones and things I do and don't have for sale on IG and have had just as many rude and demanding people message me that were not PSers as those that were.

I can only conclude that yes some PSers are horrible, but there are also lots of other people out there that like and buy gemstones and jewellery that are not PSers that are also horrible. I think sometimes, online lends itself to people forgetting their manners. Maybe the population in general has become more demanding and has no manners....

I'd also add my mother in law has a bricks and mortar store and she said she gets people walking into her store trying to haggle with her often as well, she tells them if you don't want to pay the price on it, don't buy it - none of those people are PSers.

Most of the PSers I've dealt with are lovely people. The point - both Psers and non PSers can be horrible customers, it's still completely unprofessional if you choose to be a vendor, to have a public meltdown on a public forum about some of your customer base. What you say and do in private is your own business.
 
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ForteKitty said:
LOL not really. I'm just selling some stuff on loupetroop. Somehow i've amassed over 400 items and it's out of control...
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OMG!
400?!? o_O

Poor baby. :cry2:
 
Yes, but not necessarily ...
Missy is the most polite online person I've ever "met" online or offline.

I'm certainly much more of an ay whole online than I am in person ... unless you cross me. :Up_to_something:
 
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I grew up out in rural Australia where people don't beat around the bush they say exactly what they thinking. I'm the same in person as online. I don't give a @#* about what people think about me (it took me over 35+ years to get there) and I have no filters in person when it comes to stating exactly what I think, so I don't write anything online that I wouldn't say to your face in person.

If people find that confronting, or have an issue with that, that's their problem.
 
Yesterday- ( not a PSer)
(Me)Hi , Diamonds by Lauren, may we help you?

Do you buy diamonds?

(Me)Yes! What do you have?

A five carat green diamond

(me) Wow- sounds impressive!
Please give me the GIA number so I can look up the report and see the details

NO WAY- I’m not giving you that!!!! What kind of a scam are you trying to pull???
How much will you pay????!!

(me) sir- there’s no risk at all in giving out the GIA number- in fact, any serious buyer will ask for it- so it will actually save you time.

LOOK.....I WANT $60k ARE YOU INTERESTED OR NOT?????

(Me) wow, $60k is a lot of money

him- you’re an a-hole!! Then he hung up ( thankfully)

Unfortunately there’s no shortage of rude people and it’s certainly not limited to PS members....
 
Of course rude people aren't limited to PS members. I've just noticed the worst emails I've personally encountered like to point out they're PS members and are entitled to free service/significantly discounted items as PS members, or expect me to break an agreement because PS members should have priority. It makes all of US look bad when PS is thrown around by the few.


kenny said:
OMG!
400?!? o_O

Poor baby. :cry2:
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More, if I include loose gems! I have one son and he's only getting one thing, so it'll all be sold before I die.
 
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