Newbie Needs Help!

[Stew2]

Hello!

Just a little bit about me... I am 22 years old and will probably be buying a diamond engagement ring in the next month or so for my girlfriend of 4 years.

I have been a lurker at Pricescope along with Diamondtalk.com for about a month now. I have been very impressed with the wealth of information available here. I''ve even enjoyed learning about diamonds.

One problem has come to mind though... I feel like I''m reading a lot of biased information. Now don''t get me wrong, it seems like the members and businesses represented on the forums are nice and knowledgeable. However, it seems like everyone is connected in some way or another.

For example, Diamondtalk.com is “sponsored by Whiteflash, DirtCheapDiamonds, Diamonds by Lauren & Abazias.” I am also constantly reading of references to Pricescope from Diamondtalk.com and vice-versa. I see that Pricescope.com is owned by CHARNY Consulting. Is CHARNY Consulting associated with online diamond dealers too?

I have seen many positive “customer testimonials” on the forums but few negative testimonials. Does this mean that customer satisfaction is very high or does it mean that negative testimonials are deleted by moderators? Is this a big conspiracy or am I over-reacting? Please help me set my mind at ease…

Some of you might say, “If you have a problem with the information and businesses provided here, just buy locally.” I turned to the internet because I do a lot of dealing on the web, although I’ve never bought jewelry. I also live in a small town without many jewelers. And of those, I don’t know if they are reputable or not.

Basically, I view this concern as a final hurdle before buying a diamond online. Please help me!

PS Who is a good diamond appraiser?

 

[phoenixgirl]

I think your concern is totally valid. Buying online is a risk of course. Anyone who is anyone can come here and post for any reason and say anything, true or not.

I think that all you can do is read as much as you can and check out the store's credentials and security measures . . . things like Versign, the BBB, the Jeweler's Vigilance Committee, etc. This is the internet, after all, so if there were some big conspiracy going on here and people's complaints were deleted, they would probably just post them somewhere else. Maybe you should "google" any store you are considering.

If you still feel uncomfortable, you might want to buy from one of the big outfits that has gotten national press like Mondera.com or Bluenile.com. These will not provide the personal attention or competitive pricing of some of the vendors that sponsor this site, but your peace of mind is priceless.

Diamond Cutters Intl. is a good example of someone putting a good spin on a business online. Many people read Fred Cuellar's book, visit his "informational" site, read all about the cutting standards and return policies that only he abides by, and then feel they should buy from him. However, a quick google search will pull up sites where people link to his criminal conviction and shady business practices. Even if he can censor his own site, he can't control the whole internet! I think that if somebody has a good, solid reputation today in the information age, he or she has *probably* earned it.

 

[Volred]

Heh, I am 22 also, and I have also been dating my girl for almost 4 years.

I am not as paranoid about what you are saying, and I am getting closer to buying my ring. I find the dealers who come here trustworthy, and I dont think it is a big coverup to get business.

The online market is growing, just because I cannot see or hear the person I am working with on a ring, doesnt mean that they are dishonest.

Look at dealer's sites, and talk to them by email. That may calm your nerves a bit.

 

[moremoremore]

LOL. Your concerns are valid. You go ahead and ask me to choose b/t a few stones...I'll happily tell you which one sucks...no matter who the vendor! LOL

I'm associated with no one...but me! I also just think that a lot of vendors on this board have great customer service and that's why there's so much positive feedback...

 

[pqcollectibles]

Ya know, Stew, I think you are on to something! There must be a Diamond Forum Conspiracy afoot!! All the same Vendors advertising at all the Diamond Discussion Forums!! I even see Vendor banner ads on search engines when I surf the net for jewelry and gemstones. Come to think of it, they are the same Vendors time, after time, after time. It's just too suspicious.

I don't think I'll watch ER anymore either. Because ya know, Chevy advertises on ER AND 20/20 AND Without a Trace!!

Next time I want a referral for a good jeweler, I'll ask a complete stranger to open the Yellow Pages and randomly pick one using the Ouija Board!!

Gee,..... Have you heard of TARGETED MARKETING?? Spend your advertising $$ where the interest groups for your product/service are most likely to visit. Many of the bigger Vendors list where ever they can get space, get their name out there, and hopefully generate a few sales. Some Vendors on PS don't currently list on some other Diamond Discussion Forums. Some Vendors list on some other Diamond Discussion Forums and don't list on Price Scope. Just because they don't advertise in any specific place at any given time does not mean they didn't in the past or won't in the future.

Some threads here get "Locked". The discussion strays off topic, no longer continues to be productive or educational. Those threads become "Read Only" and new posts cannot be added. Everything that is not currently Active is Archived. There are no secret plots by the "Men in Black Suits" who are always watching but never show themselves. Every internet Forum must have a Moderator to maintain, and sometimes enforce the policies of the Community. Price Scope has a very tolerant Moderator. As long as discussion remains Civil, any topic is open for discussion. From vacuum cleaners to ultrasonic jewelry cleaners. Want Adkins friendly diet tips?? Those are here too.

You don't find many negative experience threads because there aren't many. People tend to contact the Vendor first and resolve issues privately while the problems are small. Some people do push the panic button and post in haste. 99% of the time, all they would have had to do was call the Vendor. There's only been one issue with 1 major Price Scope Vendor in over a year. The President of that company came on Price Scope, stepped up to the plate, accepted full responsibility, and fixed the problem to the satisfaction of the buyer.

It ain't all lovey dovey on Price Scope. There are some pretty heated discussions from time to time. But everyone tends to be respectful in expressing their opinions, beliefs, and knowledge. Is Price Scope perfect?? No. But Price Scope is great! Price Scope offers a good balance of experts and professionals mixed with an experienced, educated consumer base to folks seeking information to make an educated buying decision.

 

[Mara]

There are negative testimonials and those get alot of responses usually! But to be really honest...there aren't many of them. Many Pscope vendors operate in a fishbowl setting, everyone can see and comment on what they are doing! I have heard comments from vendors I have worked with saying the same thing. One of the vendors I was working with said something like 'would I send you a non-eye-clean diamond? You will be flashing and posting this thing all over the place!'. That spoke volumes to me. The consumer really does have some power here when it comes to these extremely expensive purchases.




We can't speak for what goes on on other forums, but here if you have a bad experience, PLEASE tell us. However, 99% of the purchases tend to be happy customers because they do their homework first. Research on something before a big purchase seriously minimizes the risks. Get a good return policy, get the stone independently appraised and you have 2 very important bases covered right there. Choose a great vendor and you are set.

Personally, if I was a random newbie, I'd much rather buy a diamond WITH Pscope vendors and assistance even if someone would consider things 'tied' together or 'biased', than be out on my own in the big bad world trying to find someone on my own locally or on the internet, who knows where I'd end up (Fred C anyone?!). As long as the end result is desirable, e.g. great stone for a great price...that's all that matters!

Good luck!

 

[Nicrez]

They are all right. Problems with doing this search without a trusted vendor is that you need to learn SO much to counter act the BS they feed you.

Some of these jewelers have been selling diamonds for 20 years, with or without GIA or any other diamond grading training. Many people in the jewelery business get in due to family ties. Just a point of fact, as they learn from their dad, who learned from someone else, and they may not always know the trends and cutting techniques now available...so the small amount you know (because even taking classes for two years will hardly make you a PRO) will make you know enough, but too little to outwit them.

I searched the diamond district BEFORE and AFTER learning from Price Scope. The difference was scary. The more I learned from even the vendors and customers here, I went back full of ammo, and when they said that crown angle was irrelevant in radiants, I laughed. I knew enough to know WHAT a crown angle was back then, but now I know WHY it's so important and to even get a good measure of a good stone by numbers.

At some point you have to trust someone enough to buy from them. That's the threshold only you can determine, so start calling. So many newbies ask your question, and the only thing I can say is pick up the phone or drop an e-mail to the people you don't know who sell. Ask questions, do your homework. We help you with your homework, but we don't tell you what to do. That's your job. So with what we put out there for you, it's your call on who to trust and who to buy from, but when a non-interested party says something, consider the weight of that before the weight of a jeweler trying to sell...Just my $.02!