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Should I be annoyed - re: James Allen

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sparlesthering

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 23, 2009
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Hi again!

So after searching, I found the perfect stone. I have been talking back and forth with a SA from the JA website. I asked about discounts that I could take advantage of at the moment and was told that I could get 10% off my ring setting. I asked the SA if this was anything else available. They said no. I later logged in and spoke to the same SA and asked if there was such a thing as the pricescope discount. They confirmed there was and then told me about it. I''m a little miffed that they didn''t tell me before, when I explicitly asked about current discounts.

I''m so annoyed I don''t know if I want to purchase from this vendor! I was very excited to read all the raving reviews on here. I''ve gotten so much positive feedback about the site that I''m really disappointed now.

Am I overreacting?

BTW: the stone I found is really nice...and their settings are beautiful!
 
Date: 8/5/2009 3:32:07 PM
Author:sparlesthering
Hi again!

So after searching, I found the perfect stone. I have been talking back and forth with a SA from the JA website. I asked about discounts that I could take advantage of at the moment and was told that I could get 10% off my ring setting. I asked the SA if this was anything else available. They said no. I later logged in and spoke to the same SA and asked if there was such a thing as the pricescope discount. They confirmed there was and then told me about it. I''m a little miffed that they didn''t tell me before, when I explicitly asked about current discounts.

I''m so annoyed I don''t know if I want to purchase from this vendor! I was very excited to read all the raving reviews on here. I''ve gotten so much positive feedback about the site that I''m really disappointed now.

Am I overreacting?

BTW: the stone I found is really nice...and their settings are beautiful!
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this might just be me, but i don''t think the SA would have known to offer the PS discount unless they knew you were a PS member, did you mention it to them in your previous conversation?
 
That''s true. I didn''t explicitly state that I was a PS member. But the thing is, I asked a few times about discounts (about ALL available discounts). My point was to get info on all available discounts, so I could pick the one that most benefited me.

I just feel like the SA withheld this information from me.

But you''re right to point that out. :)
 
I wouldn''t be too upset about failing to mention the PS discount. They provide that as a courtesy to members, but if they mentioned it to everyone, there would be tons of people creating accounts on PS just for the discount, not because they were actually interested in getting advice and help.
 
In other words, I am overreacting?

I have otherwise really enjoyed my experience with them (especially the ease of use of their site).

Thanks for responding!
 
If you have enjoyed your experience with them so far and you are interested in the stone, I think you should overlook this. Esp. since James Allen is very competitively priced for the set of vendors that provides idealscope images.
 
Ditto jet2ks.
 
You''re overreacting. When a customer asks an SA about discounts, they''re going above and beyond even telling you various general discounts they have available. You can''t expect him to tell you every single special niche discount that the company offers.
 
Date: 8/5/2009 3:46:36 PM
Author: sparlesthering
In other words, I am overreacting?

I have otherwise really enjoyed my experience with them (especially the ease of use of their site).

Thanks for responding!
Click to expand...
Yes (sorry)!
 
They diidn''t know you were a PS member... You should have mentioned that first...
 
One of the points of providing a special discount is to gather data about where sales generate from. Offering these discounts induces people to tell where they discovered a vendor''s product in order to claim the discount. If a sales associate offers it when it was not mentioned, then the whole process if altered and it costs more than it should to offer such discounts. It is a catch 22 for you and the vendor who has no desire to scare anyone away....I''m sure on that one.
 
I have mixed feelings on this issue. In my own shopping habits, I make a point of asking questions that I already know the answer to as a way of vetting the company, or at least the salespeople. At the same time, I think the store has a valid argument that a particular discount is available only to people who say the secret word (or show up with the appropriate coupon code, order before the magic deadline or whatever) and since you didn’t, it wasn’t available to you. They make this sort of offer in order to track their own advertising dollars, not to annoy customers who aren’t eligible or to rip off those who don’t qualify and the answer you were given was correct in that it wasn’t available to you at the time so even though it’s annoying, no I wouldn’t call it a reason to ditch the seller.


Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver
 
Do you expect the grocery cashier to give you coupons on everything you put on her counter? When you buy train tickets do you expect the phone agent to list down every possible discount card you might have before taking your order? "Are you a AAA member? Do you have an American Express Points Card? Are you a senior citizen?"

It is up to the *customer* to know what discounts might apply. Pricescope discounts apply to pricescope members. Would you really expect them to say to everyone who calls "By the way -- are you a pricescope member, because if you are you get __% off!" WHO WOULD SAY NO? Then its just a "general discount".

Build a bridge & get over it.
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Major overreaction IMO.

If I call Holiday Inn and ask about discounts do they have start listing AARP, military, Hertz, VIP club, Diners Club, etc.? Some places have dozens of vendor/club/affiliate discounts. I think when you call and ask about discounts, they are only obligated to tell you about "open to all customer" discounts aka "sales", not discounts that you the customer are supposed to specifically point out you are eligible for.
 
Did you mention Jim''s alma matter, too?

By the way, on the technical side, I rather do like that on their site, if I show someone the price of a diamond found via the Pricescope portal, it already includes reference to what the Pricescope discount will be...unlike some others...like say WhiteFlash, where I''m always reporting what the cost would be when wire priced.
 
Thanks for the feedback, everyone! I think I got a little too involved in my diamond shopping that I forgot the norms of everyday business practices. Thanks for pointing out (what is now) the obvious.

I think I''ll be going with this seller.

Thanks again for helping me with the process!
 
I don''t like forum discounts for this very reason.
Come on already give everyone your best price and treat them all the same.
But no I wouldn''t cancel the sale over it.
 
I agree with everyone above.

I don''t think the SA did anything wrong.

And I certainly wouldn''t miss the "perfect diamond" and 10% off the setting for it!!!

Egads, call them before the stone is sold to someone else!!!
 
Date: 8/5/2009 3:44:09 PM
Author: jet2ks
I wouldn''t be too upset about failing to mention the PS discount. They provide that as a courtesy to members, but if they mentioned it to everyone, there would be tons of people creating accounts on PS just for the discount, not because they were actually interested in getting advice and help.
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+1, this is my view. I don''t feel the SA did anything wrong. If she were to say like jet says above, "Are you a PS member", anyone and everyone would be registering for accounts just to obtain the discount. On this one, I feel the consumer is responsible for knowing what discounts you are eligible for.

Don''t lose your perfect stone over this!
 
I wouldn''t be upset about it since you didn''t ask about it up front.
 
Date: 8/5/2009 3:41:16 PM
Author: sparlesthering
That's true. I didn't explicitly state that I was a PS member. But the thing is, I asked a few times about discounts (about ALL available discounts). My point was to get info on all available discounts, so I could pick the one that most benefited me.
I just feel like the SA withheld this information from me.
But you're right to point that out. :)
Click to expand...
The PS discount isn't for just anyone. It's for someone who already knows and uses PS. If you didn't mention that you heard about JA through PS there is no reason why JA would offer you that discount. The vendors who offer discounts are paying for advertising on PS. They want to track the referrals.
 
The SA should be angry because you didn''t tell him you are a Pricescope member.
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