Customer dealings with Melbourne Diamond Exchange?

[dan1elle]

Hi Everyone,
Has anyone here bought a diamond (or diamonds) from Melbourne Diamond Exchange before (www.diamondexchange.com.au)? I am located in Australia (Sydney to be exact) and would prefer to buy from a company who has a physical office in Australia. If so, could you please give me feedback on their service and reliability?
It would also be appreciated if any other Aussies on this forum could suggest to me jewellers (or diamond sellers or whatever you call them!) who they could recommend.

Thanks!

 

[aljdewey]

Hi, Danielle:

There was a pretty exhaustive thread recently about them that you may find informative:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/should-i-be-concerned-about-icestore.5612/

 

[dan1elle]

Thanks aljdewey,
I did see that thread, however I was going to give them the benefit of the doubt and ask if anyone else had experience with them, mainly because I was worried that if I order a diamond from the U.S., it might not get to me since I'm so far away

I emailed Johnathan from Good Old Gold and he told me that he's delivered to Australia many times with no problems so when it does come time to buy a diamond (I'll probably get it set in a ring with him as well) then I will most likely order from him.
btw, this forum "rocks"!!

 

[Richard Sherwood]

I must say I've gotten a positive impression of Wayne at Melbourne Diamond Exchange since he's started posting here regularly.

I'm not familiar with any consumers who have done business with him, but for what it's worth I've formed a gut instinct that he's okay.

You've also got Garry Holloway down (under) there as an excellent choice. His website is located at:

http://www.preciousmetals.com.au/

 

[dan1elle]

Great thanks - Now I just have to send the URL's for GOG and MDX to my boyfriend to help him decide where to get and e-ring for me! I know it sounds a bit pushy but he has hinted to me that he will be getting one soon-ish (within the next 6 months) and I want him to get the best ring for his money!

This one's my favourite - the Vatche x-prong! I had better stop obsessing over it if I am to survive until I get it....

 

[dixxin]

Hi Wayne/MDX,

I have purchased a 1k from Stacy of MDX in April. I was told by her that I am free to upgrade to a larger stones any time from any of the icestore's inventory. I want but am frustrated by the services offered at the moment.

I was lied to by Stacy regarding the status of a diamond which she claimed was sold to a buyer in Toronto but it later surfaced on the firm's site at a significantly higher price. If a mispricing had occured I will appreciate honesty from the firm rather than her lie.

Later on I saw some stones which I am interested in from the icestore's general site at icestore.com and put in an enquiry with Rebecca of icestore. After a week of no reply I followed up my queries with another phonecall but was then told that inventory on the icestore's US site is not part of their inventory. I was really unhappy regarding this point as I made it clear to Stacy upon my initial purchase that I intend to move to US and the reason for buying from MDX in the first place is her word that I can upgrade my stone via icestore's US store.

I still wish to transact but the failure to reply to my queries prompty had left me wondering whether MDX is keen for me to upgrade at all. My fiance is leaving the country in less than two weeks and I need an upgrade.

I am frustrated with the treatment given by your staff who cannot even respond to simple queries from me like whether I can pay in USD.

I even had to resort to contacting JAA in order to get some help but they suggest that I to you before contacting the fair trading office regarding the potentially misleading practice.

Shopping for a diamond is stressful enough without having to deal with the unhelpful staff.

My dealing with MDX had not always been this tense and stressful and I do not wish for me to be labelled as the person that throw up a big fuss, but there is only so much a customer am willing to take.

I was very happy with my initial purchase with icestore.com.au, my question was answered promptly and Stacy even helped me get the stone set in a mere 48 hours. The price of MDX is certainly cheaper than any of the local dealer have to offer but does this mean that the service level is compromised? I certainly hope not.

I have less than two weeks from today to get my fiance a larger stone. I want to trade in my 1k VS2 E (GIA) for something larger. I bought that initially for 9300+GST and I am willing to spend up to $35000 inclusive of tradein. I am looking for something that is >2k, or slightly below.. wish to get a VS2 but am willing to settle for a reasonably clean SI1.

So what say MDX we get the ball rolling? and I can tell everyone what pleasant experience I have in the end.

I tried dealing with MDX nicely and give them the benefit of the doubt. I am hoping now that by bringing this matter 'public' I can get a better response. I will keep you all updated regarding this matter.

 

[bnas95]

Heya
Just thought I would ad my 1cent ... One cent because the transaction wasnt completed.

I contacted Rebecca and got nothing but complete answers to all my questions. Very impressed and they very friendly, I asked for sarin reports on a few diamonds and they had no problem providing this for me.

Johan was extremely willing to advise me on the important things to look for in a diamond and helped me distinguish the better cut diamonds.

I believe that an ICE diamond is a diamond that is cut specially for ICE store. I also believe that the stock shown on the Melbourne site is the same as that shown on the US site. According to Jim the US site sells more coloured stones and mainly large stones which is why you can not search on stones lower than 0.9 ct on the US site.

The reason I didnt complete the deal was because I really really wanted a D/ IF stone but the best I could get in this colour and clarity was a normal cut .... if I wanted a good cut then it would have to be an E/VVS1. I would have bought from them had I not found a H&A D/IF.

Hope this helps everyone

 

[mdx]

Hi dixxen
I am sorry to hear you had a spot of bother and frustration; sometimes in even simple negotiations there can be communication problems.
Just give me a call in the morning and I will do everything I can to rectify your disappointment.
Johan

 

[dixxin]

Need to update the forum.. Johan is helping me in my upgrade now. Should be fine from here.