Mall stores RIDICULOUS!

[sistagrl2004]

I had to waste some time today so I went into Fred Meyers in the mall. WHAT CRAP! The diamonds in the tennis bracelets were murkey and heavily flawed, yet the saleslady told me they were I1. A wedding band with 1ct tw diamond in "platinum" was 2 times what I see it go for online AND the diamonds were CRAP.. Not to mention the platinum was Platinum 500 something (WTF is that anyway?). She looked shocked and appalled that I even asked for platinum and kept talking about white gold.

How can they get away with this? Why on earth would people BUY this crap. It can''t be a matter of money because it costs MORE than online.!!! SOMeone stop the madness!

A lady in another store tried to tell me that 1.35cts is considered 1 1/2.. WTF!? I don''t know the REAL guidelines, but isn''t it something like they can get away w/ calling a 1.48-1.54 a 1 1/2??? Anyone have this chart.. I would LOVE to take it to her!

 

[Bianca07]

Oh, I am so with you on the mall stores!

Whitehall brought me a stone to look at a while back ago that they claimed to be H SI 1. Guess what? The 2 carat had a knick on the side AND it was filled with specks of carbon deposits on the bottom and sides of the stone. I''m not good at noticing flaws, but these were hideous! Guess what they said? We will rearrange the prongs to cover the scratch and they said that carbon deposits on the bottom of the ring don''t matter because they don''t shine through and nobody can see them.. Oh and the depth was 65% they said that was very good as long as it was not over 66% (this is what their "gemologist" said)

No wonder they are having financial problems....

No more of these stores for me! (unlike you I was actually going to upgrade through them!)

not too smart on my part-I admit!I just love all the help and support I have gotten here. I learn something new everyday-and drooling over all the pics isn''t bad either!

 

[diamondfool]

I know I just looked at that chart on kayjewlers.com but it may be somewhere here too.

I''d just like to say that I think that many consumers don''t take time to educate themselves on purchases in general so they just pick a name they''ve heard of such as Kay Jewelers, Heltzberg diamonds, Zales etc since it''s in or close to their mall and pickout what they want within the budget they can afford. I can truly say that my husband would not come on the internet and research a jewelry purchase. He buys all of my jewelry from a local retail chain that he is partial to. Is he getting ripped off...ABSOLUTELY but to him it''s a convenience to be able to drive to the store and pick out what he wants and that''s that. In hindsight, I would have loved the opportunity to buy my center EGL diamond online with a better certification and less money (or a bigger diamond for the money he spent) but he wanted to do it all on his own and 6 years ago he didn''t even have a computer in his home

Sometimes it''s impulse to make purchases and maybe that''s what those types of stores are good for. I mean...how many people buy a car based on research??? I do, but I can say that most people I know buy cars based on how they look and how they feel when they drive them. So I don''t think it''s just diamonds in particular but purchases and the purchaser in general. But I agree...those stores are a total ripoff!

 

[Garysax]

The worst part is that there are there some legit mom and pop stores that care about people locally that are getting edged out by these big huge companies that sell crap. I mean, look, these local types of stores DO sell their products for priced far too high but it's good product and they can help you. I had a beautiful family ring engraved with just such a local store and they did a fantastic job with only a picture of our family seal to work from. Compare that to the service and quality that kays gives you and it's a darn shame that the average joe is moving to kays from that local store. Despite the fact they could be doing better on the internet I'd rather have them paying more AND getting good quality at a local store than heading to the mall and getting robbed for money and given a crappy diamond.

 

[CdnBlingGal]

I go to ''maul'' stores just to test their knowledge. Knowing what I know, I go in there just to terrorize them.

 

[perry]

I generally stopped going to mall stores a year of so ago. One of the things that stuck me so much was how many of the people claimed that they were "experts". My only conclusion was that they were experts on ignorance.

It''s been a long time - but about 1.5 years ago on pricescope was several threads that dealt with the knowledge and training of a typical jewelry store sales person.

You are more likely to do better with a local mom and pop. They then to know a bit more about diamonds (but most still are no where near where a person can be in a a few days to a week reading pricescope).

Perry

 

[Jensia]

I was orginaly looking at asschers . I went into kay jewelers, and he had a .75 g sI1 and wanted $5,000 for it!

He was the pushiest person too. Said he would give me 1,500 for my 1.13 princess as a trade in! I told him

I know what the price runs for those and that 5 grand was WAY to high . He basicly said that if I get it cheaper anywhere else,

it was a piece of crap. I was so mad at this guy, lol The average price for that clarity I saw was like 3200. I didnt plan on buying

there ayway, I just wanted to see what the .75 asscher looked like, but he didnt know that, lol So basicly he wanted to sell me a 3200 dollar ring for 5000 and get my current ring for free,lol

 

[Modified Brilliant]

Date: 2/18/2006 6:13:58 AM
Author: perry
I generally stopped going to mall stores a year of so ago. One of the things that stuck me so much was how many of the people claimed that they were ''experts''. My only conclusion was that they were experts on ignorance.

It''s been a long time - but about 1.5 years ago on pricescope was several threads that dealt with the knowledge and training of a typical jewelry store sales person.

You are more likely to do better with a local mom and pop. They then to know a bit more about diamonds (but most still are no where near where a person can be in a a few days to a week reading pricescope).

Perry

Perry,
One must always remember that the big chain stores are all about "numbers." The store manager is under extreme pressure seven days a week to beat "last year''s figures" day -in and day-out. It''s grueling and stressful for not only the managers but the sales people. The District Manager will often call the store two or three times a day to find out how the day is going. The DM is pressured from his boss, the Regional Vice President and so it trickles down. All this does not excuse incompetence or shoddy merchandise OR high prices. Consumers should, as always, shop, compare, ask tough questions, and be pleased with price and service. Mom and Pop stores can be an excellent place to shop. Don''t underestimate their knowledge. Many may not be jumping on the internet bandwagon just yet but they may be very competitive if you''re a serious buyer.

www.metrojewelryappraisers.com

 

[allikatac]

I also was comparison shopping at Fred Meyers today! I totally agree.. what crapp. I just wanted to compare the "mall" diamonds to some from a local jeweler and there was a huge difference. The fred meyers were not eye clean whatsoever. One had a huge very visible feather that they acted like it didn''t exist and told me I could cover it with a prong. This diamond was also "one of their best".

 

[sistagrl2004]

What''s REALLY funny is when they look me up and down and talk down to me. WHATEVER!!

 

[Irisheejit]

I agree. I recently did the rounds in Dublin on a pragmatic basis - figured if this is what''s on offer then so be it, life gives you lemons make lemonade. Then did a bit of research and realised these store types were all talking unmitigated nonsense. Almost every stone was being offered as Ideal Cut, D Colour, Flawless. Finally found a guy operating out of a one room office who buys in Antwerp, certs available, custom setting of your choice and selling at 50% less than high street stores. Also appears to me at least to know what he was talking about. I won''t give his details here in case that''s not appropriate (not sure what the policy on plugging a dealer is) but anyone who want''s it feel free to request.

Best thing the high street was good for was free coffee and a sit down when you go in and tell ''em you want to buy a diamond ring. Might use that in the future actually

 

[squarediamondlove]

To be completely honest, I have a love-hate relationship with those stores. I hate it b/c the people are not knowlegable and the stones are crappy, but it is my guilty pleasure to see how bad the stones can be and what rediculouse prices they will put on the stones.

It's funny b/c I just went today to look for e-stones with my friend. After going to GoodOldGold (GOG), we visited some other stores like Heltzberg diamonds. Heltzberg has a "Masterpiece collection" which feautres H&A stones, however the prices are much higher than GOG for H&A and the staff is stuck up and unfriendly. The sales woman overheard my friend and I talking about the comparison in prices between them and GOG and she inquired into it. I told her that GOG also sold H&A, and she said well they aren't "Masterpieces" and I said but their H&A and Masterpieces just meant that they get it through a certain cutter. But, yet again she said "but they aren't 'Masterpieces'"

Auuu, painful

.

She said that you really don't know if you are really getting H&A with GOG. Then she said she never heard of them with an arogant tone and asked how long they have been in business. I said about 20-25 years. She answered that Heltzberg has been in business for 70 years, like somehow that made a difference. Zales has probably been in business for just as long and is probably more of a popular name, that doesn't make their diamonds any less crappier. I then said that they are similar to Whiteflashes, in some respects (just to give her an idea), in the quality of cuts that they offer with round H&A, hoping that she will at least know Whiteflashes (which she didn't). She condescendingly chuckeld at me saying "online? why would you ever want to buy online?"

Another lady said that what make their specialty cut (which looked similar to Tiffany's lucida) so well cut and sparkle so much is because of its large table (table was around 76-80%). Huh? When did you ever hear that a large table on a princess or a round diamond is what made the stone perform better?

 

[ladykemma]

I believe that you should educate yourself on diamond cut and quality, and look at all the options, including mall stores. I personally have about 20 diamonds of significance, 5 pieces are superior, and the rest are ok-ordinary. One was part of my learning curve - what a mistake.

see I have figured out the game. the game is to buy used.
estate sales, pawn shops, individuals. you can get a 1/2 carat for about $500, one carat for $2000. just develop an eye for cut quality - it''s easy to see.

Also I do buy from jewelry stores. This year i have bought a semimount from jareds, an ideal pendant from zales, studs from heltzberg, a huge wrap from helzberg, and a little white gold diamond fashion earrings/necklace set from sears.

I bought from bailey banks and biddle last week. mikimoto pearl studs to go with my TJ Maxx pearls strand.

so I do not bash mall stores. Yes, they have a lot of junk. but every once in a while, they have a "gem" in all the junk. and if you have developed your eye to see it, you will know it''s good.

enjoy! It''s supposed to be fun. appreciate for what it is.

right now there is a stunning 2 ct ideal cut at zales in the galleria, houston. J VS1 what a stunner.

 

[jetmal]

thanks ladykeema........there just might be hope for me to find something at the 2 mall stores that I may end up having to deal with.

 

[ladykemma]

jet mall if you''re in houston i can go with you.

 

[jetmal]

Ladykemma....thanks so much for the offer...but I am waaaayy up here in Wisconsin...BBBBRRRRRRRR

 

[valeria101]

Date: 2/19/2006 2:10:45 AM
Author: Kaleidoscopic


She said that you really don't know if you are really getting H&A ... She condescendingly chuckled at me saying 'online? why would you ever want to buy online?'

Good proof for what HUGE difference this forum makes getting a certain sort of folk to self-select in or out of the reach of their rules... Those guys you describe wouldn't understand how it works, I'd bet. Too bad... Who could possibly enjoy that sort of conversation?

Anyway, perhaps you were the hundredth customer that week coming in to browse and then go home to hit the keyboard for the real deal

 

[perry]

Jetmal:

About where in Wisconsin..... I am on the east side of the state aproximately 2/3 fo the way to Greeen Bay from Milwaukee; and with some regularity do travel into the Madison area and Eau Claire.

I'd be willing to help if we can connect (perhaps a message to Pricescope would allow us to connect).

I even know a few stores where you could do decently...


Perry

ps: Wisconsin is warmer when you have friends...

 

[jetmal]

Perry,

I''m in Milwaukee.......what stores would you recommend?
Thanks

 

[perry]

Sorry, I do not any of the stores in Milwaukee (except one store in a mall that I laughed at). There is a mom & pop in Sheboygan that impressed me, and two stores in Green Bay.

I always wondered about dropping into the big store in West Bend. I am also sure that there are others worth checking out.

I'd be willing to help out if we can connect (I'd be fun spending a day diamond shopping - but first I'd do some research on stores in Milwaukee and make some phone calls - appointments work well for some stores. There are some things I'd like you to see in person and I am sure they exist in Milwaukee). I get to Milwaukee (or at least pass through it) with some regularity. I'm 1.5 hours from the marquet interchange (unless trafic is bad).

Let me know if you want to connect. I'm sure there is a way.

Oh, and bring a friend if you wish.

Perry