stigma to buying diamonds online

[rosy]

Hi,
I don''t want to offend anyone on this website but how do you deal with people who find out you bought your ring online & they think negatively about it? They look at it thinking it might be fake or inferior? People who look at your diamond always ask , "Where did you buy this from"? What do you say? Do you exclaim that you bought it online or do you try to hide it a bit because of the negative stigma that exists?

 

[laney]

I'm actually proud to say that! That I am educated enough to make my own purchase on line - and I encourage others to at least get educated on line.

a) As the "recipient" of the ring - some girls don't know where it was purchased.

and b) - who the heck would know where you got it anyway????

BTW - now that I think about it...

I would not tell anyone I got my ring from Zales... To me, that would mean I OVERPAID incredibly....

Oh - probably e-bay too...

 

[Hest88]

I would never hide it. If you think they're sneering, just paste on a smug smile and say, "I got a great deal on a diamond that's nicer than anything I could have bought around here."

 

[nicknomo]

Honestly, you have a higher chance of being scammed when buying at a store then you do from buying it at a reputable online dealer. With an online store, you don't have to deal with a sales person with commission incentives.

I think a lot of jewelry stores sell way too many EGL (foreign) stones that are clearly over graded. I found very few jewelry stores that sold ideal stones, with reputable certifications. Forget about finding an AGS stone with a Sarin report.

A lot of people reacted negatively when I bought my stone online. My parents actually cursed me out... repeatedly. They thought it was the stupidest thing I could have done, and that I threw away $8,000+. Their tune changed when they actually saw the diamond, and my mother compared it to her own... but still there was a definite "Are you friggin' crazy" attitude that you seem to get when you tell people that.

I was even very skeptical about doing it at first... but I wasn't even able to find a diamond in the same class at a retail store. I lost count of how many times people tried to sell me a horrible diamond, or tried to rip me off on the price of a decent one, or straight out lied to me about the specs of a diamond. I went with an online company (bluenile), and got exactly what I wanted. From my perspective that was the most intelligent choice I could have made.

The only problem I had with the whole process was the appraisal. The first guy I went to had no idea what an AGS 000 nor H&A was, and told me he was going to have to value the stone slightly lower because "AGS wasn't a reptuable certification like GIA". He seemed to think it was an imitation certificate.

I found that sort of funny.

 

[denverappraiser]

How about this?

"I searched everywhere I could find for exactly the right stone and exactly the right setting. I finally found the perfect stone at a dealer in Oregon (or Washinton D.C. or wherever). It took months to get just the right one but I think it's fabulous, don't you agree?"

Neil Beaty, GG ISA
Independent Appraisals in Denver

 

[treysar]

Actually, the internet is where I found my FIANCE, so buying a ring online is NOTHING compared to that!!!

 

[laney]

treysar!

lol!

 

[lmurden]

Hi Rosy,

You don't have to tell anybody where you purchased your diamond ring from because it's not their business! Only my fiancee, my best friend, and pricescope members know where I got my ring from because no one has asked I only get complements. But if you do tell them you can respond by saying that this was the best deal that you found and not to worry about how your fiancee spends his money.

The reality is that there is a backlash from some jewelers not all but some because they want your business and that a lot of the average consumers don't know the pros of buying online. After finding pricescope, diamondtalk, and online jewelry vendors I can't image buying a diamond ring from the mall. The amount of information on the diamond and education you get from online vendors is so much more than at the mall. You will find that if you take your time and go around to the mall jewelry store so many sales people don't even know what "CUT" means they think you're talking about the shape! You will find that most people are truly happy with their diamond rings and the price they paid when choosing to buy online. Also reputable online jewelry vendors are members of the BBB and Jewelry Association. Whatever you do make sure you are comfortable and happy with whatever decision you make.

 

[Patty]

I didn't buy my diamonds off the internet. I bought them from a third generation diamond dealer in New York. The fact that I found him on the internet is nothing to be ashamed of. I think that the more the word gets out, the better it is for everyone.

 

[noobie]

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On 10/21/2004 1:06:34 PM treysar wrote:





Actually, the internet is where I found my FIANCE, so buying a ring online is NOTHING compared to that!!!

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Did you use Google?

 

[bar01]

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On 10/21/2004 1:06:34 PM treysar wrote:

Actually, the internet is where I found my FIANCE, so buying a ring online is NOTHING compared to that!!!

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Treysar - LOL ! How true ! ME TOO ! Of course we tell most people we met at a Starbucks - which is true since that is were we decided to first meet "in person"!


Rosy,

Most internet places have real names, real people, and a location. Do a little digging into the people behind the internet -learn who you are dealing with - you may be surprised at the depth of their backgrounds.

In my case - If they look snobby and old fashioned – and ask where I got my girls ring - I may say something like "My dear, a local jewelry store simply would not do for my girls E-Ring! I consulted with leading experts from around the world before I made a move! The Sapphire was personally selected by me with the help of Graduate Gemologist Richard Orbach from the private reserves of Reginald C Miller in New York (cherrypicked.com). The diamonds were chosen from the personal selections of South African born and trained cutter, Brian Gavin (Whiteflash.com). The setting was obtained from the world renowned design studios of WhiteFlash in Texas. The diamonds were idependently evaluated for maximum brillance and fire with the help of Garry Holloway from Australia. Finally the entire ring was evaluated and appraised by a state of the art mobile laboratory in Sarasota Florida. You would not believe the effort in visiting these places (through the internet) and talking with these people (via email) – but nothing less will do for my wife !

 

[JohnQuixote]

Why do one-stop shopping when diamonds from the four corners of the earth are here at your command?

You may wind up buying from an online vendor, a B&M represented on the 'net or your B&M down the street. However the scales tip, the internet provides access to a more worldly selection as well as the education and feedback to make informed decisions.

 

[reena]

maybe im a moron but i had never even stopped to consider the possibility that people would look down their nose at diamonds purchased over the internet. very strange concept. i mean, i know there's a small subset of the population that will think your ring's not good enough unless it's a "designer" ring from tiff's or cartier (gag me), but aside from that, i wouldn't think that people would really distinguish. i mean, what, someone's really going to think your ring is inferior because you bought it from an internet vendor as opposed to, i don't know, some random dude named bob over at the diamond exchange? how is one any better than the other?

 

[aljdewey]

As far as I'm concerned, we didn't buy my diamond "online". "Online" is the medium of communication, not the seller.

We bought my diamond from a jeweler in Texas -- Whiteflash. Are they a typically B&M store? Nope. Do I care? Nope.

Had I bought from GOG or NiceIce or any of the others, it would have been "I bought it from a jeweler located in XXXX."

If someone asked how I found the jeweler, I would then reply that I found them through a consumer advocacy site online.

I think the disconnect is this: when people think you bought it "online"; they either think e-Bay OR some riff-raff sitting at a computer in his PJs. Neither of these accurately describe the highly professional vendors here.

 

[nicknomo]

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On 10/21/2004 3:28:17 PM reena wrote:


maybe im a moron but i had never even stopped to consider the possibility that people would look down their nose at diamonds purchased over the internet. very strange concept. i mean, i know there's a small subset of the population that will think your ring's not good enough unless it's a 'designer' ring from tiff's or cartier (gag me), but aside from that, i wouldn't think that people would really distinguish. i mean, what, someone's really going to think your ring is inferior because you bought it from an internet vendor as opposed to, i don't know, some random dude named bob over at the diamond exchange? how is one any better than the other?
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A lot of people have the preconcieved notion that when you buy online, you are taking a big risk. Let's face it, there are a lot of shady places on the internet. But I think the main reason is that people equate it to mail order catalogs, which have commonly been more of a hassle in the past. A lot of people automatically equate it with something like ebay as well, which also can be quite shady.

Some common reasons I have heard
1) How do you expect to get your money back if you don't like it?
2) How do you know you are really getting what you pay for?
3) How do you know this isn't some third rate business run out of someone's garage?
4) If it's damaged on arrival you have no proof that it wasn't your fault.

All of these are legitimate complaints for a lot of mail order companies and some ebay sellers. But really, the bigger diamond sellers are in a different league.

For one, you have site ratings at bizrate or resellerratings. You don't get this with most Brick and mortar stores! It's a great way to look into the business practices. Secondly, when you pay through credit card, you usually have a great deal of protection against seller fraud... Thirdly, many places have great return policies and a reputation that legitimizes the process. And finally, all reputable dealers insure the freight.

I think that like Brick and mortar companies, there are some shady skeevy places as well as some really good places. The internet is the same way. As long as you buy from a company with high consumer satisfaction, you can't lose. A lot of people are just to naive to realize this though.

 

[fire&ice]

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On 10/21/2004 3:40:04 PM aljdewey wrote:

As far as I'm concerned, we didn't buy my diamond 'online'. 'Online' is the medium of communication, not the seller.

We bought my diamond from a jeweler in Texas -- Whiteflash. Are they a typically B&M store? Nope. Do I care? Nope.

Had I bought from GOG or NiceIce or any of the others, it would have been 'I bought it from a jeweler located in XXXX.'

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That's exactly how I would handle it.

 

[slammie]

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On 10/21/2004 4:53:09 PM fire&ice wrote:

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On 10/21/2004 3:40:04 PM aljdewey wrote:


As far as I'm concerned, we didn't buy my diamond 'online'. 'Online' is the medium of communication, not the seller.


We bought my diamond from a jeweler in Texas -- Whiteflash. Are they a typically B&M store? Nope. Do I care? Nope.


Had I bought from GOG or NiceIce or any of the others, it would have been 'I bought it from a jeweler located in XXXX.'


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That's exactly how I would handle it.


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Me too! I tell people that we got ours from a jeweler in NY. But if pressed for details I would readily reveal that it was bought online. Trust me, the many many times people comment on the beauty of the diamond and say...it looks so sparkly and CLEAN, is that why it looks so clear and I can see those facets?? outweigh people questioning the fact that we bought online.