Taking Vendors Opinions

[radiantbuyer12]

Ok, so here is an interesting question. I'm on the hunt for the right diamond (a fancy cut diamond). I have turned down several locally and I am still looking for the right one. So, I am resorting to the online vendors and their knowledge and tools and eyes (at least for now). And before I have one pick out a diamond for me I need to know I am getting honest answers. So, with that said, can I trust them to tell me their HONEST opinion? All of the ones I have discussions with will send pics and idealsopes and asets and all of that, but as everyone on this forum knows, that doesn't always account for everything. I am sure there are PS'ers who work for James Allen and WF and Brian Gavin or ERD, etc who potentially troll these boards to answer these types of questions. Which is fine, but I hope to get some clarity on this. Clearly, each place wants to make a sale. Right? Totally understandable. I'm in sales too. I get it.

So, with that said, has anyone ordered a diamond into BGD or Whiteflash or ERD and after review they said "nope, this diamond just doesn't fit our standards, we need to pass on this and get a different one in..." For instance, Brian and Bob both seem very sincere. Will Brian at BGD turn down diamonds? Will Bob at Whiteflash be turn down diamonds? And how do we really know they are telling me how they REALLY feel the diamond compares to others they have seen?

They SAY they will do this, but do the really do this? The pics and Idealscopes and ASETs will tell one story but then we need honest opinions too. I'd be willing to pay for their honesty to some degree. Anyway, would love to hear your thoughts.

I mention these vendors because the are preferred vendors (and advertisers) on Pricescope and ones I would consider using. But this also makes me wonder about the quality of the answers I will receive. And since I am looking for a fancy shape diamond...you just can't buy them buy the numbers. So I need brutal honesty from a vendor that I choose. Right? Will I get it?

Basically, if a diamond doesn't perform that well, I want them to say "this diamond sucks, we will pay to ship it back" or whatever... catch my drift? Will they do that? Or will they just sell it to us because they can?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I have no reason after being here for several years to think that they wouldn't be honest. I have bought about 8 diamonds since I joined this board and have complete confidence in both WhiteFlash and Good Old Gold.

In regard to fancy shapes, I believe GOG offers the most information to help one pick the stone with best light performance, so that is who I'd use for that.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Yes, I think you can trust them. I'd ONLY buy a diamond that the vendor has on-hand, though...regardless of which company. It would make more sense that a vendor would have a stone in inventory that is an impressive stone rather than a so-so one.

Have an appraiser lined up for any potential purchases!

 

[yssie]

Yes.
WF has done exactly that for me - they've said, on ordering a diamond in, that it doesn't meet their standards.
In fact, they've also said that "nope, it meets our standards but it doesn't meet *yours*", and followed it with "but here's a different virtual that sounds more promising" (referring specifically to stones we had called in, since I wasn't interested in buying an in-house stone).

You should talk to your vendor about policies regarding who is responsible for shipping it back if it doesn't meet expectations. WF has a blanket policy that states that all stones that don't have GIA or AGSL reports are the customer's responsibility.

They no reason to mislead you and good reason not to - you'll just return the stone and buy from a different vendor and you'd post about your negative experience on here - and you can imagine how important online reputation is for any vendor with a significant internet client base..


That said, it's important to choose the right vendor for the right job... what shape are you looking for? Different vendors specialise in different things - and will have more experienced eyes w/ different shapes. WF and BGD specialise in RBs and princesses, so if you want something else you'd likely do best with a different vendor.

 

[radiantbuyer12]

Cool. That makes me feel a lot more comfortable the idea of bringing in a diamond for review by one of these companies. I just like for people to say "you know, this diamond isn't cutting it for me. Let's keep trying." Rather than just sell me something if they like it or not. Because that would be an easy to do as well. And once I get it, I wouldnt know the difference anyway.

 

[FancyDiamond]

Same for me. When I was purchasing my first diamond ring (a 3-stone ring with pear sides) from WF, Bob called me when the pear sides came in. Although the pears were sourced from their approved vendors, Bob did not think the pears were "good" enough to match my center ACA stone. He suggested alternatives (with his preference) and sent me photos, information about carat sizes, and corresponding prices, so I could make my decision, an informed one. I am happy with the final results.
As Yssie said, WF (and expect BGD too) would try hard to make sure we are happy with our purchases. They are not looking for a small, temporary profit, but rather, long term business from me and all future, potential customers (through word-of-mouth).

 

[malish985]

I also wanted to chime in about JA - when I was searching for my diamond (which I ultimately bought from JA) there were 2 stones that JA advised me NOT to buy. These stones were XXX and passed all of the HCA calcs with flying colors. It made me feel better about using them as well. Good luck!

 

[mandasand]

I've had Good Old Gold suggest a lower priced diamond versus a higher priced because it didn't fit my needs. If I say I want eye clean, then they won't push me to buy a larger, more expensive stone that isn't eye clean. It also doesn't matter what your budget it. These vendors understand that customer service is their number one priority. If they don't have that, they probably would go out of business.

 

[radiantbuyer12]

I've had Good Old Gold suggest a lower priced diamond versus a higher priced because it didn't fit my needs. If I say I want eye clean, then they won't push me to buy a larger, more expensive stone that isn't eye clean. It also doesn't matter what your budget it. These vendors understand that customer service is their number one priority. If they don't have that, they probably would go out of business.

Well, that's a valid point, but in theory, all businesses understand the concept of customer service and they "say" it is their number one priority. haha. I'm not just talking just about diamond people now....*cough AT&T cough* haha. JK. But you know what I mean, plenty of companies have horrible customer service but it doesn't put them out of business.

 

[radiantbuyer12]

and in other news, I guess I will contact the vendor I feel best about and have them bring in a diamond for review. I will keep you posted. would love any more thoughts from you folks if you have any thing to contribute. Thoughts, experiences, etc.

 

[distracts]

Yes, I think you can trust them. I'd ONLY buy a diamond that the vendor has on-hand, though...regardless of which company. It would make more sense that a vendor would have a stone in inventory that is an impressive stone rather than a so-so one.

Not for fancies - for fancies most of them don't keep many/any in inventory because they don't move as well, so the vendor has to find one. I know there has been speculation that GOG's fancy inventory is buy-backs and rejects from other sales because it's just not as good as what they find people when set on a search for something.

 

[cabbitstarr]

Hey radiantbuyer, keep in mind that you can take your diamond to a local accredited diamond appraiser!

It costs about $150 or so and then you will have your peace of mind. Vendors don't mind at all if you plan to do this.

 

[Rockdiamond]

Yes, I think you can trust them. I'd ONLY buy a diamond that the vendor has on-hand, though...regardless of which company. It would make more sense that a vendor would have a stone in inventory that is an impressive stone rather than a so-so one.

Not for fancies - for fancies most of them don't keep many/any in inventory because they don't move as well, so the vendor has to find one. snip.....

Both points of view seem to make sense- but personally, I think MC's makes more sense.
As rounds are far easier to procure- and the cut grade limits uncertainty about the price, it would seem prudent for a vendor that actually owns inventory to snap up desirable fancy shapes when possible.

Plus, we do know that rounds outsell all other shapes- but popularity of other shapes- like Cushion cuts for example, means that some types of fancy shapes sell pretty well.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Yes, I think you can trust them. I'd ONLY buy a diamond that the vendor has on-hand, though...regardless of which company. It would make more sense that a vendor would have a stone in inventory that is an impressive stone rather than a so-so one.

Not for fancies - for fancies most of them don't keep many/any in inventory because they don't move as well, so the vendor has to find one. I know there has been speculation that GOG's fancy inventory is buy-backs and rejects from other sales because it's just not as good as what they find people when set on a search for something.

I think that speculation was too broad of a brush, Distracts, because GOG carries several branded fancy cuts that are outstanding such as AVC's, Brellia, Princess of Hearts, Octavia asshers, Jubilee, Solasfera princess cuts, etc. They have some very nice generic fancy cuts as well..certainly better than what I see at a drop shipper that has photos. Certainly in the case that they don't have the right stone in stock, they call some in. So it is fine to seek additional stones to choose from if they don't have one that meets the standards of the buyer. I need a small asscher for a ring and they don't have exactly what I need, so when I am ready, they will just get some in.

 

[distracts]

Yes, I think you can trust them. I'd ONLY buy a diamond that the vendor has on-hand, though...regardless of which company. It would make more sense that a vendor would have a stone in inventory that is an impressive stone rather than a so-so one.

Not for fancies - for fancies most of them don't keep many/any in inventory because they don't move as well, so the vendor has to find one. I know there has been speculation that GOG's fancy inventory is buy-backs and rejects from other sales because it's just not as good as what they find people when set on a search for something.

I think that speculation was too broad of a brush, Distracts, because GOG carries several branded fancy cuts that are outstanding such as AVC's, Brellia, Princess of Hearts, Octavia asshers, Jubilee, Solasfera princess cuts, etc. They have some very nice generic fancy cuts as well..certainly better than what I see at a drop shipper that has photos. Certainly in the case that they don't have the right stone in stock, they call some in. So it is fine to seek additional stones to choose from if they don't have one that meets the standards of the buyer. I need a small asscher for a ring and they don't have exactly what I need, so when I am ready, they will just get some in.

They only carry certain shapes of fancies - if you're looking for a radiant, pear, oval, etc you're out of luck at almost all PS vendors for in stock items. I guess since my favorite fancy shape (okay, I feel like princesses and cushions don't even really count) is pear, that's the one I think of. No one really carries pears in stock, GOG has some that are subpar, DBL occasionally has some nice ones, no one else has them in stock at all, just drop-ship stones. DBL has more non-branded fancies on hand than any other PS vendor I can think of, most of who have none. And given that Radiantbuyer seems to be looking for a radiant... well, that's not one of the branded fancies anyone carries. And I can think of no PS vendor other than DBL that carries radiants in white diamonds regularly. GOG has stuff when you search for radiants but they're almost all Princess of Hearts (which I would consider a princess?) and the remaining ones I would not consider nice radiants. So I think if Radiantbuyer wants to buy a fancy that's in stock by the vendor already, from a PS vendor, his option is pretty much only DBL. And since David is the one who commented about it being better to buy from a vendor who has snapped up the nice fancies, I'll let you draw your own conclusions about where I think his interests are. Which is not to say that it's not better, I do agree actually agree with him and DBL carries the nicest radiants by far of any PS vendor, but I just think his statement was a little baldly self-serving, especially when so many PS vendors DON'T keep fancies in stock and we can easily guess the reasons for that. Maybe my comment was a little broad, but so was David's, which was what I was trying to counter. I don't think new diamond buyers can tell good stones from bad without help so they need to know they shouldn't just be limited to picking out of what's in stock.

eta: I don't mean to be contentious, I am just trying to help. And to clarify to Radiantbuyer, yes, if I was looking for a radiant (I'm just guessing by your username), I'd go to DBL because David appreciates radiants in a way few others do. I think he was trying to get at that with his post but it rubbed me the wrong way because I felt it skirted the edge of forum rules, even though I know he's trying to help.

 

[Rockdiamond]

Thank you for a really honest, well thought out post distracts.
It is never my intention to break PS self promotion rules.
The truth is, it's incredibly difficult to comply, yet at the same time incredibly simple- the reason its simple for me is that my motivation is genuine.
My goal is transparency in representation.
It's difficult because if one has a stake in the diamond business, anything containing a link to their site is promotional to some degree.
The challenge is that there's some really great choices that are really preferred, and often mentioned by some prolific posters.
It's tough for me to point out that there are other really great choices, that are rarely mentioned- and sometimes trashed out of hand.
"Crushed Ice" is a great example.
Yes, I love stones that might be categorized as that.
A case could be made that its self promotional to for me counter what I consider "ice bashing" as it were- however Harry Winston carries "crushed ice"- among many other places people shop.
As far as I know, I'm the sole defender, from a trade standpoint, as far as this forum is concerned.
And Radiant cut diamonds are at the very center of this.
Believe it or not, the son of the inventor of the radiant cut diamond is a member of PS- but he virtually never posts.