Diamond shopping etiquette - tips?

[ChooChoo]

Hi all,

My boyfriend and I are in the stage of trying to narrow it down to THE diamond - we're not in a hurry, and we want to make sure that we're getting the best deal possible. We know we want to work with Pricescope-recommended vendors, and right now Whiteflash, DCD, and USA Certed diamonds look best.

My question is, would it be appropriate to contact all three at the same time and ask for more information about certain diamonds they have listed, like pictures of inclusions (since we want to buy an eye-clean SI1), IdealScope pictures, and Sarin reports? Or would it be considered rude to ask the dealer to do this work unless you're fairly sure that you're going to buy from them? I guess I'm asking whether the more proper thing to do is to narrow it down to one and try to work with them, and move on if they're not meeting our needs?

My other question is whether these vendors can even get this information for all the diamonds that are listed on their sites. Are they generally in-house or would they have to order them in?

Any advice on the best way to buy a diamond sight-unseen, and get the best price to boot, would be greatly appreciated!

 

[mrlink]

----------------
On 7/9/2004 5:16:16 PM ChooChoo wrote:

Hi all,


My boyfriend and I are in the stage of trying to narrow it down to THE diamond - we're not in a hurry, and we want to make sure that we're getting the best deal possible. We know we want to work with Pricescope-recommended vendors, and right now Whiteflash, DCD, and USA Certed diamonds look best.

My question is, would it be appropriate to contact all three at the same time and ask for more information about certain diamonds they have listed, like pictures of inclusions (since we want to buy an eye-clean SI1), IdealScope pictures, and Sarin reports? Or would it be considered rude to ask the dealer to do this work unless you're fairly sure that you're going to buy from them? I guess I'm asking whether the more proper thing to do is to narrow it down to one and try to work with them, and move on if they're not meeting our needs?

My other question is whether these vendors can even get this information for all the diamonds that are listed on their sites. Are they generally in-house or would they have to order them in?

Any advice on the best way to buy a diamond sight-unseen, and get the best price to boot, would be greatly appreciated!----------------

Working with Denise at Whiteflash was pure joy. She was great and put me in touch with Bob for a couple of nit-picking technical questions. She is very sincere and straigtforward. She got everything I asked for.

I would talk to them on the phone first and then see who you are most comfortable with...and I just can't say enough about my experience at WF.

Matt

e.g.h.

 

[brandonb]

I'm going to have to agree with Mr. Link. I am about to order my ring from WhiteFlash next week. I first liked WF because when I sent a second email because I never got a response from the first, their CEO emailed me directly and put me in touch with someone who could help me. Boy was I lucky, because they gave me Denise!! She has been a pure pleasure to work with! I just spoke with her for the first time on the phone yesterday and we had a great chat! I have gone back and forth on what I wanted and they were extremely supportive no matter what I decided. Call them up if you have any concerns, I'm sure they will ease them for you!

-Brandon

 

[Hest88]

I don't think it hurts to contact a few vendors as long as you're upfront about the fact that you're in the "seriously looking" stage and that you don't pester them with too many requests when you still haven't decided.