Just a moment to say thanks...

[Richard Sherwood]

When I ran across this forum six months or so ago, I was impressed with it's friendly atmosphere and wealth of information.

I learned as much as I gave out, and never once thought about it as a business asset. After all, I didn't think there were that many people in the Tampa Bay area on PriceScope who would need my appraisal services.

Lo and behold, I've been taken aback by the number of people who have used my services as a direct result of PriceScope. Almost every other day now I get requests via email about my services and fees. Every week now there are people who make appointments and drive from as far as 3 hours away for appraisals. In addition I receive out-of-state packages from clients who have never met me, but send their items after viewing my posts on PriceScope.

Frankly, I am impressed. And I just wanted to say thanks. To Leonid, and all those whom I have learned from on this forum, and those whom I have been able to help. I'm having a great time, and making money too. God I love this business.

 

[Rhino]

That is because you are honest and forthright Rich. Your heart is in helping people and maintaining integrity amongst your peers and among the consumers. From your posts it is clear that you are not for stepping on people or stabbing them in the back to get ahead but for success through helping others. That creates a win win environment for everyone including yourself.

I can't see how a person would not want your appraisal services were they to read your posts and get to know you.

I for one am glad to have made your aquaintance.

Drop me an email Rich as I'd love to ask you some personal questions regarding your appraisal business and perhaps add a link to you from our site.

Peace,
Rhino

 

[optimized]

I'll second what Jonathan said. I truly enjoy reading your posts for their insight as well as for the frequent doses of humor you inject into the proceedings. I still get a chuckle when I think about that "give it as an engagement ring test" to tell the difference between diamond and CZ. Absolutely classic...

Thank YOU for helping make PS such a great and entertaining resource!

-Tim

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

And besides, you never flaame anyone, you are a true gentleman Rich, and I look forward to having that glass of plonk with you

(One exception on the flaming - and we now know that the poor bloke was a bit off his perch).

We like having you round mate

 

[Mara]

I too will 2nd/3rd/4th what the others said...Rich, you are always very helpful with a great sense of humor!

Plus your words intrigued me enough to finally sign up for the GIA class and hopefully I can inspire others as well!

 

[newenglandgemlab]

Hi all,

I just found this forum about a month ago and I am impressed with the wealth of information and the activity going on. This is super for the consumer and also keeps appraisers like me in the know and on our toes. Technology is great. What did we do before computers? We have been getting many more e-mail inquiries and clients using our report verification and forwarding services. These always end up being appraisals with exacting documentation. We like to feel we are very aware of the markets and are constantly in touch with the higher end B&M stores in our area. We have been running some very succesful appraisal clinics in the AGS guild stores in our three state area.

We will be off to the AGS Conclave soon and can't wait for some hands on with all the new 'stuff'! We will be the first to cmplete the new Personal Property Appraisal Course required of AGS ICGA labs.

Thanks to Pricescope and Leonid, clients are finding us. And thanks for educating the consumer and making it so easy for them to understand the quality of diamonds. We all have a long way to go but we just had the local TV station in this past week and they want to do a special on internet diamond purchasing and appraising. This shoud be a good one! If you find me in cement shoes you will know why!

Hats off to all the participants in this forum.

Proud to be a part of it. Just wish I had a little more time to participate, but will keep trying.

Cindy

 

[Richard Sherwood]

-----------
and also keeps appraisers like me in the know and on
our toes.
-----------

Definitely Cindy! This is a BIG benefit that comes out of posting on this forum. It makes you a sharper appraiser. People will ask questions and you'll say to yourself "Hmmmm.....I don't know, and I should" so you dive into research to come up with the answer.

Do that consistently week after week and you'll find yourself getting a finer and finer edge. I'm continually amazed at the "new breed" of consumer we see on these boards. They are passionate about their diamonds and serious about their passion. You can't snooze much around them.

Thanks for the nice compliments guys. I'm going to archive them, and then hold them up as a shield next time I piss you off.

 

[pricescope]

Richard, thanks so much for kind words but it is not Pricescope but your style, contribution and help what makes the difference. I'm just happy that Pricescope can be a good place place for experts like you.

 

[fire&ice]

By far one of zanyist sane people around. Your mix of humor w/ good common sense is to be treasured.

 

[jayjones47]

do you cut raw diamond? if you do what is the cost.


thank you,

james

 

[DiamondOptics]

Hi Richard,

I must confess that when I see your posts.
I am always certain that they will be polite
and informative. People like yourself have inspired me to
follow your lead of positivism, humour and expertise.

I joined pricescope a little over 7 months ago,
and prior to that I was only accustomed to the confrontational, aggressive and highly soliciting nature of other environments. So naturally, I brought some of that with me, here to pricescope.

Initially, I did not know of any other way of conduct, because I thought that every forum was the same.
But I was wrong. Pricescope is the epitome of decency
within the diamond community.

I too, want to thank Leonid, because I 'finally' see what he is trying to do here, and it works!

There is far more to life than trying to push diamonds
into the faces of consumers. Lets try hard to educate and earn their respect first.

Kirk

 

[Richard Sherwood]

-----------
There is far more to life than trying to push diamonds
into the faces of consumers. Lets try hard to educate
and earn their respect first.
-----------

Exactly, Kirk!. Zig Ziglar has a saying that you can get everything you need in life if you help enough other people get what they want.

That seems to be the tenor of PriceScope. It's designed to help the consumer, but ends up helping everybody. It runs smoothly on it's own momentum, making solicitation a needless and moot point. A very pleasant environment to grow in and socialize in. I'm convinced that the modus operandi of the internet is the future, and the future is upon us.

 

[pyramid]

Good Luck Rich.

Here's hoping you have many more clients. Your posts are a great help to novices.

 

[DiamondOptics]

----------------
Exactly, Kirk!. Zig Ziglar has a saying that you can get everything you need in life if you help enough other people get what they want.
----------------

Hi Rich,

Sometimes the highly competitive nature of this market,
can compell vendors like myself to solicit consumers.
But I have 'now' made it a point, to cease and disist in those actions.

I think we experts, can offer so much more to the consumer, than just our products and services.

Kirk

 

[optimized]

Okay, that's it! Everybody gather 'round...

( ( ( GROUP HUG!!! ) ) )

-Tim

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

I do agree with you all. I have been following up on Pricescope for the last two years, and now I found the time to contribute here too.

I do however feel slightly uneasy with the name of the site. Personally, I would prefer it to be called 'Qualityscope' instead of 'Pricescope'.

Anyway, keep up the good work.

Paul

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Good point Paul

It is just a little problem Leonid has, being an ex socialist and all - he still is not sure about this capitolism thing, and quite likes the idea of democratising diamonds.

I am torn between my love of the diamond dream, and my great respect for, and friendship with, Leonid.

 

[lawmax]

for Leonid!

 

[Rook]

"Pricescope is the epitome of decency
within the diamond community."

Well said Kirk,

Rich, I always love to get your advice and opinions. You always try to help even when the questions can be very remedial, or subjective.

Many consumers often suggest Dave and Bill as appraiers, next time don't forget RICH

Do you have a website??

 

[Richard Sherwood]

Hey, I like that. "Don't forget Rich!"

Kinda catchy. It's got a nice ring to it. Would make a great mantra.

I'm working on the website. It's going to take me a few weeks to cut and paste all Rhino's stuff, but I'll get it done.

Heh heh heh...

 

[Rhino]

Rich...

Can't wait to see the website.

Kirk ... I completely agree and I have to tell you the ridiculous antics I have seen on diamondtalk in the past would almost make me vomit. (You know what I'm talking about.) While I like the bit of liberalness in being able to post direct links to stones that either excite me or make me cringe on the other forums (I feel hesitant about doing this on this forum, because I don't want to come across as soliciting), I appreciate the rules here and the guidelines that Leonid has laid down.
This forum is truly a breath of fresh air. In the past I'd always go to other forums first but over time I've come to appreciate the manner in which Leonid conducts his business and now I always come here first to participate, then if I have time, the others. I like to stick to the facts and wonder of gemology and diamonds and not the soap operas.

Cindy ... YOU are a great asset to have here too. We've shared some emails and it is my pleasure to have made your aquaintance. You are greatly welcomed here and we are glad to have you. Let us know how the conclave works out.

Kind regards,
Rhino

 

[yeewl]

When I first 'surf' my way into this forum, I found this place 'a little treasure island'... a wealth of useful and valuable information which I can't get elsewhere. Thank you for keeping this place free excess to everyone, especially a green horn like me. Previously, whenever I step into a B&M shop, I felt lost and confused, not knowing what and how to judge whether that diamond is a good buy or a lemon. And letting the salesperson push me into buying 'lemons'so often that I lost count already... Now I felt much more confident and know what I am looking at, not just a piece of carbon...and 'show them a thing or two with my idealscope

 

[ccuheartnurse]

Rich, its great having you here contributing. You do come across as a very knowledgable person in your chosen field. I rather like those days that you come in here as our resident comedian. You are a breath of fresh air.

Judy