LIST: How to convince him to buy a stone online

[mintve]

I am in a position where I will have to sell my FF on the idea of buying online. The setting I like is at a B&M. I am able to get the setting from the B&M and they will still offer the after sale service such as polishing, replacing lost side stones, re-shanking the ring if I wear it down, etc. Here is where I need some help. He expressed to me that he is not comfortable with the internet purchase b/c of the uncertainty of it all. For instance, we will mention the one purchase, out of hundreds that I make online, where the product and service I received were less that stellar. However, he did say that I am the final end-user, so if it makes me happy, then we should perhaps go that route. That being said, I need some talking points. Here is what I have brainstormed so far:

1. the cut is the most important and often under-discussed of the 4-Cs and with an online vendor you are provided with the science and numbers that back up the claim of being ideal/excellent etc

2. Using the “cut quality” box on PS, I found a well cut diamond w/ similar specs (1.23 carat, I SI2 for under $5K and at the B&M a stone that may not be as well cut but with the same specs was over $7100, that is over a $2K difference!!

3. there is countless positive feedback from these vendors (FYI: I will probably work with WF)

4. with an estimated budget of btwn $7-$8K for the entire ring, we can get more for our money online. Even if the B&M gives up to a 25% markdown off the list price, then we add sales tax of $7100, that is still higher than the price I saw for a similar stone online. So, for the $6-$7 range on a stone, we can get a really nice stone!

5. you save on the sales tax, which in my location is 6%, so that is btwn $400-$500 on a $7K stone

6. you can shop through various stones and get input from an educated forum right from the comfort of your own home

7. you can have the stone sent to you to view before you make your purchasing decision (this I have to learn more about)

8. WF offers great service and knowledge

OK, I imagine this list could go on forever, so I would love to keep adding! Let me know what you think!

 

[TravelingGal]

This is all gibbery gobbly gook to a man. Look, just say this.

1) We will save boatloads of money and get a better stone.
2) With the money we save, you can buy yourself a plasma TV.

He will understand the two concepts above and embrace it.

 

[mintve]

Date: 11/29/2007 4:35:45 PM
Author: TravelingGal
This is all gibbery gobbly gook to a man. Look, just say this.

1) We will save boatloads of money and get a better stone.
2) With the money we save, you can buy yourself a plasma TV.

He will understand the two concepts above and embrace it.

Hee hee! That is a good one, I will have to add it to the list! He has been talking about getting a new TV!

 

[iheartscience]

I think you covered it! Throw in the TV and you should be good!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 11/29/2007 4:35:45 PM
Author: TravelingGal
This is all gibbery gobbly gook to a man. Look, just say this.

1) We will save boatloads of money and get a better stone.
2) With the money we save, you can buy yourself a plasma TV.

He will understand the two concepts above and embrace it.

lol Good one!

And, you can tell him about Ellen....


Ellen was looking for an upgrade, and unlike buying her first Ering 25 years before, she had actually armed herself with knowledge this time. And not just about specs, but about hogwash jewelers can feed you and hope you are dumb enough to buy. And these were "reputable" jewelers, family jewelers, jewelers"other" people had bought from....Ellen heard a lot of hogwash along the way, and, downright odd things like, being told by one jeweler he didn''t even know if she''d be able to find a setting, since she was looking for a fancy shape.

She finally found a store she "thought" was ok, and purchased a stone and setting from them. Long story short, the stone became very questionable, and Ellen took it back for a full refund, which was within the timeline of their web stated, 30 day full refund period. Only, they weren''t happy, at ALL, and were reluctant to return the money. At one point, one of the managers got in Ellen''s face and raised his voice at her, accusing HER of being up to something, simply because she said she had taken the ring in another store.

Ellen finally had to remind them of their store policy, clearly stated on their website, to which they replied, "We may have to change that". Instead, they actually pulled the whole thing off within an hour.

At that point, Ellen was at the end of her rope trying to buy locally. She made the leap, bought online, ended up with a way better, slightly bigger stone, for less than she paid locally.

And she''s never looked back.

True story.

 

[stebbo]

Men like saving money, time alone, being loved and your happiness.

Saving money you''ve got covered.

Time alone - "this online stuff is addictive and some girls have over 10,000 posts".

Being loved - all your girlfriends will think he''s marvelous for choosing a diamond that leaves theirs for dead.

Your happiness - "I just won''t be happy with a B&M stone now that I seen what''s available".

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 11/29/2007 4:35:45 PM
Author: TravelingGal
This is all gibbery gobbly gook to a man. Look, just say this.

1) We will save boatloads of money and get a better stone.
2) With the money we save, you can buy yourself a plasma TV.

He will understand the two concepts above and embrace it.

Way agree with TGal......you''re putting forth too much info he doesn''t care about.

Guys live by one principal: KEEP IT SIMPLY STUPID (KISS).

1. I can get a better quality stone for less money online.

2. I''ve been able to verify their trustworthiness, and I''m totally comfortable with the vendor. Local vendors are no less of a gamble.

3. I can fully return it if we aren''t happy.....but we won''t have to. I''m that sure.

4. We can put the $$ we save toward the TV you want.

 

[sera]

My FI and I looked... got prices on the size I wanted... then got sizes for the price he wanted. I told him online I could get the size I wanted with better quality for the price he wanted... he totally went for that (though he needed reassurance it was a reputable store and the stone was upgradeable/returnable).


********************

L's for love.

 

[Quash]

Cost. Quality. Trust.

Cost > B&M''s typically charge far more than you would pay online.

Quality > Online sources can provide far more documentation and expertise about quality of diamond. Good Old Gold is a great example.

Trust > I suggest you tell him you''ll use an appraiser as a condition of purchase. So, the diamond can be sent to the appraiser (great appraisers here or go to a local one) before purchase. If it''s a local appraiser, you can even see the diamond before purchase. Then, if you''re satisfied, you pay for the diamond and the appraiser releases it to you.

you can even put the diamond on hold, get people''s opinions about it here and then send to an appraiser.

Tell me, what other product can you buy where you have it assessed by a third party before purchase and then send it back if you''re not satisfied?

For me, this is what gave me the confidence to make such a big purchase online. Independent appraisals are the way to go.

As well, remember something else: if an online diamond vendor screws clients, the internet does it business and that person is talked about on forums like this. That makes it even more important to sell good product than many local B&Ms, which are not subject to that level of scrutiny. It allows the excellent internet vendors to rise to the top on the basis of building a constantly scrutinized but excellent reputation.

 

[somethingshiny]

This was the one that did it for my husband.


I can look online and you never have to set foot into a store.

 

[Kay]

Date: 11/29/2007 4:35:45 PM
Author: TravelingGal
This is all gibbery gobbly gook to a man. Look, just say this.

1) We will save boatloads of money and get a better stone.
2) With the money we save, you can buy yourself a plasma TV.

He will understand the two concepts above and embrace it.

LMAO. That is a great negotiating strategy, but then she actually has to leave some of the budget on the table for his TV and can''t just spend it all on a bigger, better diamond than she could find locally for the same amount.

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

Do a search on Pricescope for GoodOldGold and see how many happy customers they have had. Show your FF the postings, then show him the GOG website with all the diamond stats on there. Tell him he will save money, get more for his money, etc. but don''t bring up a plasma TV until you have purchased the largest diamond he can afford.

 

[stebbo]

Date: 11/29/2007 5:06:17 PM
Author: mintve

Hee hee! That is a good one, I will have to add it to the list! He has been talking about getting a new TV!

This man needs to get his priorities sorted out. Plasma before diamond. What''s his cell number?

 

[mintve]

You guys are so funny! My FF is very careful w/ his money and he is very behind the technology curve, so it will probably be awhile before he comes around to buying a plasma TV. Most of his appliances and electroncs are things he''s inherited from various places and people. He usually spends his money on other people or his house/yard or toys for the Lake where he lives. He did buy a new TV stand a few months ago and that was a big deal for him, so when he finally break down to buy the new TV, it will be a very sepical day

 

[mrssalvo]

I think also showing him that many of the *online* vendors actually own true bricks and morter jewelry stores. they just now how the internet now has changed the diamond industry and stepped up to the plate. Goodoldgold is in Long Island, Pearlmans has been around 70 years or so in Michigan, Winfields etc. So, although there are online/internet only vendors, many operate just like any jewelry store you''d find in your city.

 

[Diamond*Dana]

I think that you have raised some very valuable points, so you should be on the right track. Just use a vendor with a reputable return policy and you should be just fine, nothing to lose.