Generic Online Vendor Question

[CSpan]

This is probably a me issue but with communications occurring almost always over email or DM I want to make sure I am clear. How do you communicate that you are looking but not yet ready to buy?

I have a couple long term project ideas. Part of the idea phase is "can I even afford this" or is this worth what it will cost. To that end I need to figure out what I like, look at various factors, ask questions, with a number of sites that do not list prices I have to reach out and ask. Somehow my attempts to communicate that this is something I am looking into in the future or "I am not looking to complete this right now but get some ideas" is not translating. This is not directed at anyone on here, as most PS vendors have clear pricing.

I have had a few internet-only vendors appear (this is all online of course) irritated that when they show me something I am not handing over my credit card. I feel like I am on a used car lot with the hard sell sometimes or being told I am wasting their time (yes, literally-I asked for a still because the video wasn't clear enough to see the cut). To a lesser extent I have run into that just asking for pricing. I have basically paralzyed myself into not asking more than once how much something is because I asked in the past and couldn't afford it or didn't want the item I asked about. I always try and respond back with a thank you and some sort of acknowledgement so I am not just ignoring the response.

Part of me feels like this is basic customer service. If I am selling something and the customer isn't interested in that item I would want to be friendly and encouraging enough that they would feel comfortable coming back in the future. But maybe this is just brave new world online shopping and I am not playing by the rules.

Any tips for communicating A) I am not buying this today but I need information and B) I am not interested/price is out of my budget etc, but I will keep them in mind for other items?

*I have mainly run into this related to diamonds and jewelry, the colored stone vendors I have interacted with don't seem as put out.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Diamonds get more traffic probably and so if you come across as a tyre kicker you need to consider
1. choice of vendor - lowest price usually = less service
2. the wording you use in contacts

We sometimes get emails where a consumer has not BCC'ed and we can see the same request went to 30 other businesses.

 

[Karl_K]

When your talking non-melee stones and asking about specific stones and its a long time out.
Then you are wasting their time because those stones are going to be long gone and market conditions will change.

One can accommodate tire kickers only so much they have to concentrate on paying customers.
Right now is the worst time to be tire kicker.
I am going to go further, being a tire kicker right now and expecting someone to jump is frankly rather rude.

 

[LLJsmom]

When you look at enough sites, you can get a general idea of the cost of a particular size, clarity, color and cut, maybe within a $5K range. Is that close enough for you at this point in your search? If it is far off in the future, plus or minus a couple $K should probably be sufficient. I do a lot of research too. I don't ask a specific question about pricing unless I really have NO clue about the price range, which means it is usually a custom piece, or I am ready to buy.

Are you having trouble with finding the pricing of a particular setting that might be hard to find? Or people here can probably help you get a ballpark on a piece...

 

[CSpan]

Thanks for the responses. I guess it is me. The pricing is actually the least of it, that is more for finished pieces, with much of it being OOAK, I'm diligent about my research but things are really all over the place.

Diamond wise, I'm certainly not trying to just kick tires. But with limited info or one photo it's hard to tell what I am looking at. I should clarify I'm not talking sites more social media vendors or folks who migrated online in light of the circumstances, it is all a bit hit and miss.

I think I should stick to colored stones, I don't want to come across as rude and waste everyone's time.

 

[whatamilookingat]

As long as you let them know that you're just putting feelers out there and trying to get an idea of what you want to do, it shouldn't be a problem. It sounds like you've been polite in your communications, so I don't think it's you. I wouldn't let a few bad experiences stop you from exploring your options with other vendors. It's not unreasonable to ask questions before a purchase (whether it's an actual site or social media vendor), and it's good to weed out people who won't have the time to give you the attention you need.

It sounds like you like to plan your purchases for the future and want to research a bit before buying. I'm like that too. I've had a someone abruptly stop answering my texts about a band I was interested in for the distant future. It made me sad and embarrassed at what I thought I must have done wrong, but I realize there are a lot of other companies out there. Maybe they just wouldn't have been a good fit. Since then my husband and I have had more positive experiences with other vendors.

Don't give up. Nothing that you have written makes it seem like you've been unreasonable. Sometimes it takes time to find someone you can mesh with.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Thanks for the responses. I guess it is me. The pricing is actually the least of it, that is more for finished pieces, with much of it being OOAK, I'm diligent about my research but things are really all over the place.

Diamond wise, I'm certainly not trying to just kick tires. But with limited info or one photo it's hard to tell what I am looking at. I should clarify I'm not talking sites more social media vendors or folks who migrated online in light of the circumstances, it is all a bit hit and miss.

I think I should stick to colored stones, I don't want to come across as rude and waste everyone's time.

Here is a left field idea. If you feel confident with a vendor offer and pay the money you epect to spen up front - or say half of it. Then they will know you are for real

 

[Bron357]

While “browsing” you certainly should feel comfortable enquiring as to the price or clarification if details are scant ie does it have a lab report. It’s only when you request additional photos or more detailed information that a vendor might assume you are looking to buy and buy now.
It’s like shopping for a car, if I go into the showroom and ask the price I’m “enquiring” if I ask to go for a test drive, ask for details and costs of all the possible options / colours, the car guy assumes I’m a serious buyer.
It’s all well and good to say “but I’m a potential future customer” but the reality for vendors is that their time is money. They are trying to spend time and effort on clients who will result in a sale, people who window shop don’t pay the bills unfortunately.

 

[OoohShiny]

I can only ever window shop as I'm perpetually skint lol

On that basis, I always state straight from the off that I am not able to commit to anything right now!

Some people I know think nothing of going to test drive a car they have no money for or are unlikely to buy, whereas I hate even disturbing a sales assistant in any given shop to ask a question!