online vendor protocol question

[shminbabe]

I''ve decided to forgo the services of the independent jeweler and make the leap to an online vendor. I have spoken with two of them, and just had a long chat with one of them a little while ago. In conclusion, he''s going to start a search for me and separate the wheat from the chaff within the parameters i was asking y''all about last night. However I did like another online vendor too and wondered: is it okay, or bad form to work with two, in the search for the right stone for me? I don''t want to waste anyone''s time which is why I''m letting the independent jeweler off the hook: I know too much and am too picky now, and want to work with someone who can show me the Sarin and Idealscope, etc. etc., and only see stones that fall within my parameters for table %, depth, etc. etc. I guess I''ve lost a little confidence in the independent, which I feel badly about b/c she''s so nice! I just wonder if it''s okay to ask two jewelers to be looking for the same stone or is that tacky? I want the best stone I can find, naturally. These vendors both seem to understand the pricescope shopper and I want to maximize my chances for a stone I can afford, and love. What do you think?

jeannie

 

[phoenixgirl]

I think competition is always a good thing (at least for the consumer).

You wouldn''t pass up buying a new car at a cheaper price just because you test-drove one at a more expensive place, right? But I would be upfront about the fact that I''m only considering purchasing from them and am not positive I''ll purchase.

 

[strmrdr]

yea its kinda tacky and its one reason why vendors have started charging for bringing stones in.
It can also end up costing you money because the supplier has 2 vendors competing for a stone if its an uncommon type.

 

[Hest88]

I wouldn''t call it tacky, but in this scenario you will probably end up having two vendors looking at the same stones. I''d either make it clear to both that you''re working with two vendors, so settle on one unless that person ends up disappointing you. Either way, I wouldn''t ask either vendor to pull a stone unless there''s a good chance you''ll buy from him.

 

[shminbabe]

Hi,

Since I am looking for a 2 ct EC or an Asscher cut it''s i guess it''s possible that each vendor could be looking for the same stone. How much price variation would there be between vendors, given a stone''s certification/value? I take your point about having stones called in here, there and everywhere, which is why I''m stopping with the independent jeweler. I don''t want to waste her time either. I suppose I will just wait and see what the vendor I spoke with today comes up with for me.

I think the price variation is evident in EGL-rated stones v. GIA/AGS certifieds...

and my jeweler showed me a really pretty oval, 2.21 cts, S1 2 (and it was eye clean, I swear, she said it was more likely an S1), G color, EGL for $14,500.

But with all the "questions" about EGL I felt unsure...

then I found myself drawn to the linear properties of the EC and then further, the Asscher cut.

I did tell the vendor to look for these two shapes and also said I hadn''t made up my mind completely and he said as long as I didn''t make him look for one shape for three mos. and then change my mind, he understood.

I can support that, too.

I''m feeling really encouraged about the possibilites, now.

jeannie