Ever found your diamond on Blue Nile?

[gailrmv]

Interesting discussion. one thing that I don''t get though: Blue Nile is not a store. They are strictly internet. So they don''t have the overhead associated with running a store. But many popular internet vendors have both a retail store and internet business. So, if they also have the overhead associated with running a store, how are they still able to match/beat blue nile''s prices? I doubt they have higher internet volume - are they just making a lower markup than BN?

 

[DBM]

Date: 12/12/2006 11:03:30 AM
Author: gailrmv
Interesting discussion. one thing that I don''t get though: Blue Nile is not a store. They are strictly internet. So they don''t have the overhead associated with running a store. But many popular internet vendors have both a retail store and internet business. So, if they also have the overhead associated with running a store, how are they still able to match/beat blue nile''s prices? I doubt they have higher internet volume - are they just making a lower markup than BN?

I think BN is sort of a different animal in terms of overhead costs because of their publicly traded corporate structure. I dont know much but i''m guessing that publicly traded companies are a business unto themselves in terms of how to operate them and generate profits.

 

[:)]

Date: 12/11/2006 4:31:59 PM
Author: DBM

-- it depends on who you know

No kidding? I assumed that it was some sort of exclusive contract that BN had with the supplier - is it really possible to get around that?

Is that what he meant when he said he couldn''t get it ''right now''? Like they have a brief period of exclusive listing, and then it is avail to others? Or is it really just who you know and you can grab a stone under the table if BN isn''t looking?

Dang it...

 

[strmrdr]

The only way for a small company to survive in today''s business market is to specialise.
PS does this for internet diamond vendors there is a level that the big guys wont serve allowing the smaller players some air.
Competing on price is a losing end game both online and b&m.
In 5 years I expect 90% of the internet vendors that are around today will be out of business.
It will be a split market the mass marketers on one end and the specialists on the other with a lot of busted dreams in the middle.

 

[mtrb]

I think most consumers are not educated enough about these practices to check online in the first place. Many don’t even know specifics about diamonds, they just see sparkle. As I said earlier, I can’t imagine people who are looking for the best deal and are internet savvy when it comes to diamonds would go to B&M stores, negotiate and then find it online. I think they would go directly though an online vendor. I think people in general who visit B&M stores are just not aware, or leery of purchasing diamonds over the internet to begin with.

Has this really been an issue for many B&M Vendors?? Perhaps I am just naive here...?

 

[DBM]

Date: 12/12/2006 12:46:45 PM
Author:

Date: 12/11/2006 4:31:59 PM
Author: DBM

-- it depends on who you know

No kidding? I assumed that it was some sort of exclusive contract that BN had with the supplier - is it really possible to get around that?

Is that what he meant when he said he couldn''t get it ''right now''? Like they have a brief period of exclusive listing, and then it is avail to others? Or is it really just who you know and you can grab a stone under the table if BN isn''t looking?

Dang it...

it''s a little more than that.. BN itself doesn''t have exclusivity to the stones they''re posting so they themselves can''t guarantee a stone to be available.

i''ve had in my hand a stone that i was showing to a customer at the same time that it was on the BN website for public purchase. What would have happened had i closed the deal on the stone and simultaneously someone on the web paid for the stone -- that would have been interesting

strmdr-- any other motivational speeches you want to give me about my future but yes i understand your point

mtrb- true but why not? your B&M says it''s a 1 carat F VS2. why wouldn''t someone just type it in online and see what the price range is...

 

[CaptAubrey]

Date: 12/11/2006 7:44:25 PM
Author: decodelighted

Wha??? Fabrikant has filed Chap. 11?? Does this mean the Royal Asscher patent will be up for grabs? Upheaval in the pricing structure/availibility of them??

Yes, late last month.

http://www.jckonline.com/article/CA6393422.html?&q=fabrikant

http://www.jckonline.com/article/CA6393692.html?&q=fabrikant

It''s a result of having had to take out so much bank debt to keep its cutting operations running and the rough coming in. Not an unusual situation in the trade right now, unfortunately.

Much too soon to say what this will mean for their product line, though.

 

[mtrb]

I don’t think it will stop people from being able to do it, I just think they don’t at this time.
Who’s to stop it in any other industry either?
I regularly go to pricegrabber and other comparison sites and type in when I am looking for to find the cheapest with shipping and buy there.
I have no loyalty though. I never will. I am not that kind of consumer, BUT…there are many different kinds of consumers.

Have you noticed how many people here recently really really want to buy at Tiffany’s… they don’t care that it is 40% more. They buy based on the name and service they get.

Your right though. For savvy consumers, there are no more secrets due to the internet.

 

[MichaelLC]

I got my (or rather my fiancee''s) ring from BlueNile.

Had good experience with the company, no problems at all: I bought a diamond ring, and they shipped it to me. She''s gotten many compliments on it, and I''m quit impressed with it.

Price-wise, honestely didn''t shop a lot, went to all the chain stores and was so not impressed. Partly went with BN because FW and I met on-line, so seemed ftting to buy ring on-line too, .

 

[DBM]

Date: 12/12/2006 3:49:36 PM
Author: MichaelLC
I got my (or rather my fiancee''s) ring from BlueNile.

love the avatar btw

 

[MichaelLC]

Date: 12/12/2006 8:50:09 PM
Author: DBM

Date: 12/12/2006 3:49:36 PM
Author: MichaelLC
I got my (or rather my fiancee''s) ring from BlueNile.

love the avatar btw

Thanks. I use the "Indian head" TV logo for my IM accounts; mixing old & new tech.