Private Jewelers

[kcgunesq]

Please move if this is the wrong forum.

I''m curious as to how many here use primarily or exclusively a private jeweler? By "private", I mean they don''t have a storefront location, although they probably have a business location. For example, a non-descript unit in an office building housing everything from doctors to charities. By "non-descript" I mean there is nothing that screams "this is a jeweler", not that the office once inside isn''t well appointed or well stocked. Service is typically by appointment only.

Also, I''m not really talking about businesses that are primarily on-line, but will agree the occasional in-person visit. Rather the jeweler who obtains clients by word of mouth, meets clients one on one, possibly by appointment only.

 

[Dancing Fire]

my advise....

PASS !!!
forget it !!!
don''t even think about it !!!

 

[honey22]

Date: 6/29/2008 2:19:54 AM
Author: Dancing Fire
my advise....

PASS !!!
forget it !!!
don''t even think about it !!!

Ditto - goes into the same basket as ''fantastic ring on ebay'' and ''we are getting a killer deal from a friend of a friend''

 

[customcushion]

I just dealt with a private diamond broker/dealer in Canada, and had a terrific experience.

I can understand how this is atypical, and I would suggest you be cautious, just as others have - but there are terrific private jewelers out there to be found. It''s just really really hard to find a great one, since they''re private and all . . . .

 

[kcgunesq]

I''ve been using one for some time and couldn''t be happier. I was just trying to find out if others did the same.

Just so you understand: In my case, the jeweler used to run THE preeminent jewelry store in Kansas City, family owned for 3 generations. He is now on his own, but still works with the family business. He is very well known in the community, and you could find a number of well written articles on gem subjects, by him online. One of my wife''s best friends has known him well for probably 40 years. My father and his father used to work on civic projects together. He is extremely well established in the community and enjoys a stellar reputation. Rest assured, this is not some fly-by-night operation.

 

[customcushion]

Yes, sounds like a great connection.

The place I dealt with is similar. They sell to jewelers and retail stores - when a stone is called in on memo it''s from this place or one of the other importers - but will deal with private clients if they''re referred. I ended up paying about what a store would pay.

There is a reflex on this board to assume that having some sort of connection means its shady, not 100% legit etc. Maybe it''s usually true, but certainly not always.

Interesting parallel - I know someone who wholesales clothing. When I visit the warehouse, I can pick stuff up for the same price that the retail store buys it from (usually about 45% of retail price). Does this mean it''s shady ? No, just that I know who happens to import and distribute that particular brand of clothing.

Diamonds, like everything else in life, are the same.

 

[Adylon]

My store is open 5 days a week.... well more like 4.5 since I'm only open 1/2 a day on Sunday (after Church)... I want to eventually close Sunday and maybe even one more day, all other days are open based on private appointment, even though the store is on a busy street. In this trade referrals make up a large amount of business. You don't just walk by a jewelry store one day and decide to get engaged like you would buy an ice cream. I know other jewelers that are only open 3 days a week like Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and open by appointment other times and they do very well, of course they have very well established clientèle.

I'm sure this will be the trend for fine jewelers in the future, they will cater more towards their customers needs and those needing a quick fix gift like a $49 10k pendant can just buy at the mall.

Yosef

 

[denverappraiser]

I don’t see a great problem with it. A significant number of the jewelers out there do it this way and this is a growing part of the industry. It helps to keep their costs down and it reduces their personal risks associated with the industry. Everyone has to have their own business model and a street level location full of showcases and smiling people in suits isn’t for everyone. Each deal and each dealer should be judged on their own merits and wishing to have a low profile with a small inventory and minimal staff are not necessarily problems. It allows them to work on a smaller margin and still make a living at it. It’s worth noting that several of the well regarded dealers here work from just the sort of facilities that you describe.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[surfgirl]

I wouldn''t exactly describe what you''re detailing as "private" at all. I mean, they''ll sell to anyone who wants to buy from them, nothing private about that. The only difference in my experience is that it''s "by appointment only" because often such dealers dont have storefronts, they come to the home, or have a small shop tucked away somewhere. I bought my wband from people that used to have a store, now they sell by appointment only. I think sometimes people like to think "private jeweler" is something very very special when it''s just a seller who usually doesn''t have a storefront. Other than that distinction, and that they may or may not carry inventory, I see no difference between such a seller and any other.

 

[kcgunesq]

Neil - I didn't mean to imply that I thought it was sketchy or a problem. I've loved the arangement, although it has some downside in that it can take a bit longer to get things done. But the huge upside is that you get 100% undivided attention at your appointment. Plus, you are working with someone that wants to take the time to get exactly what you want (and takes pride in this fact), not just sell you the inventory that hasn't moved in 18 months.

I was simply curious as to whether this was common here or uncommon.

Surfgirl - "Private" is the term I've heard, but if you have a better term, I'm happy to adopt it. I guess I do think of it as "private" in the sense that you conduct your business with the jeweler privately. Just like the "private" dining rooms in many restaurants that are available to anyone who books them, they still allow you privacy. If someone else is in the office, its someone that you brought.

ETA: The above said, I don't disagree with you generally. I didn't mean to imply this is somehow a mark of special distinction for the buyer.

 

[surfgirl]

I just really meant that there are plenty of "By Appointment Only" jewelers out there now...And I suppose that means you get a private appointment with them by proxy of needing an appointment!

I dont think it''s better or worse than a trusted B&M shop, it''s really all about making a connection with someone who gets what your tastes and budgets are and who can deliver what you want...

 

[kcgunesq]

So maybe we can call them BAOJs?

And since that is hard to pronounce, maybe we can mix up the letters a bit and go with BAnJO's?

 

[purrfectpear]

I had a coworker that was a GG and had contacts with some brokers. This was pre-internet when the only way you bought diamonds was through a B&M with a keystone markup. My friend got my budget, size and clarity wants and had 8 stones sent to him. I picked the one I liked best and paid about 10% over the typical B&M cost. I was thrilled. 4 years later I sold it and made money on the sale.

Now with the net, there''s no advantage to friend-of-a-friend deals IMO. Most online vendors are already selling at small margins.

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

I visited Diamond Doctor in Dallas. They don''t have a storefront and are housed in an office highrise (they do have a website, however, I don''t know how much business they do with it). I walked in without an appointment although I had been on the phone with them earlier in the day so they shouldn''t have been surprised that I showed up.

I was impressed with their selection. The only "designer" line they mentioned by name was Parade. I didn''t buy from them because I wanted platinum and they wanted to sell me what was in their case, which was white gold. I would look there in the future for other jewelry or maybe right hand rings.

 

[amcgookin]

I am using a "by appointment only jewler" to create my engagement ring. She came as a referral from another friend of mine and she has been great! She is in a business building and one would never find her unless you were referred to her or found her website online. I would agree that the process is taking longer, but I am getting 100% undivided attention and what I want. I belive she used to have a store front, but got rid of it some years ago to be able to better focus on designing. She is only open Wed - Sat by appt only and ALWAYS has appointments backed up one right after the other. I certainly don''t think she is hurting for business at all. Her reputation and work is what sold me on going there versus a larger jeweler.

 

[purrfectpear]

Doh, I just realized that I phrased "paid 10% over B&M cost" could be construed that I paid 10% more than a B&M charges. I meant that I paid near their "cost to them" in lieu of retail.

 

[AggieTexan]

I have used the same "private" or "by appointment only" jeweler for over 20 years. We were referred to her when we were looking for an engagement ring in 1986, and we''ve used her ever since! I think the thing I appreciate the most is the lack of pushy sales tactics followed closely by her patience with my indecision.

I feel the prices I''ve paid are very fair...in-line with the internet retailers and certainly less than what I''d pay at a B&M for something of like quality.

Although I don''t have a lot of jewelry, everything I have purchased has been verified by an independent Graduate Gemologist (GIA) appraiser. I''m very happy to have a relationship with my jeweler and be able to stay out of the B&M''s and the maul.

If for some reason my jeweler closed up shop, I''d probably turn to Whiteflash since they''re here in Houston. I love the internet, but to me nothing beats seeing things in real life!

 

[Indira-London]

Since we are running a ‘by appointment only’-operation ourselves, I am very interested in the comments here. To us, the advantage of working in this way is that we know in advance who is coming and what they are looking for so that we can give prepare in advance and attaend directly to their needs rather than show "random stock" as well as give them full attention. Also as we are diamond traders that make to order it means that we are better proptected in terms of security if we know in advance who is coming. On the cost side - the appointment only model is more time effective as it means that we do not need to wait around for clients to come in. Also, office space costs a lot less than traditional shops where high footfall costs a premium.

On the downside, it generally takes longer to get some recognition, and we rely heavily on word-of-mouth of course. Just another reason to give an extra effort for your current customer, since he or she is your future advertiser.
Probably, with so much information on the internet, and with the high overhead of B&M-stores (not only personnel, but also higher security, rents and insurance), our segment of the market is growing.

 

[KCCutie]

Care to share this info with your other KC natives.

 

[TheDoctor]

The non-storefront office-type jewellery establishment is probably the oldest business model in the jewellery "industry". The manufacturers opened their front offices to people who wished to buy, which made appointments necessary so that the business of carrying out the production of existing orders wasn''t being constantly interrupted by visitors.

Malls have only been around for less than 50 years, the internet? about 15 years.
As a business model, the office shop is comparable to the dentist''s or lawyer''s office. Professional services by appointment.
"Private" is more of a reference to one-on-one service, free from the gawking observances of others.
(Imaginine having your teeth drilled in a storefront window...or settling an estate while throngs of people hover nearby.)

"Private Jeweller"....Not at all to be confused with toothless Uncle Milton who sells out of the trunk of his car at questionable drinking holes....