Thoughts on Diamond Concierge vendor

[gregchang35]

I want to share my interesting situation on the above vendor.

I was recently searching for an OEC and checking out the usual vendors and 2nd hand market. Then i started another Google search and the Diamond Concierge came up. They were on line and i started to chat online with them. We went through the brief and he was very attentive to it as the diamond that I was looking for was a little hard to locate- a warmer Q-Z coloured (light yellow) OEC. He stated that he would start doing the search for the diamonds for me.

After a few emails on further clarification on the jewelry design and the colour of the diamond, as this coloured is not something that is seen or popular (he could only source an M colour); it got interesting/ odd. Because of it, i decided at the time to give him the heave ho. Fortunately, i have now found THE diamond,thanx to another PSer, JustGinger, on the look out for me; and will post more about it when i have it. On a side note- over the past few weeks, things just happen and the universe works in mysterious ways.

Anyway, here is what happened- after several emails, i was honest with him and told him that I had been speaking with other vendors. he then proceeded to tell me "to exhaust all your searches for your diamond, come back to me with the certificates number of your diamond. I will then source it for you at a cheaper price."

Hmm, that was interesting as it felt like i was not dealing with a jeweller but a salesman. i dunno... it was just odd.

This was what was running through my mind (and in no particular order) about that comment.

1) salesman= sales, sales, sales not jeweller
2) lazy came to mind as he could only source an M colour. therefore leaving the work to other vendors.
3) there must be a better profit in diamonds that we think... (can be seen throughout PS on retail value of diamonds vs resale/wholesale/ second hand market), as he can still source the diamond at a cheaper price than the vendors.
4) everyone is in business to make money, i dont mind them making money, if THEY do the WORK for it!
5) do other vendors do the same? i think so, i remember reading one post where the person saw the diamond in their local jeweler and then he saw it at OWD website - the exact same diamond - certificate and all!!!
6) he was going to sell based on numbers. though when i asked about photos and performance, he said he can take photos for me. started talking about colour on the photos depends on camera, lighting etc....stating that numbers do all the talking.... hmmm..


I guess, based on 5) above, it is reasonable to think that all vendors are out there to get the sale and will do most things to get it. Ethical or o'wise.

My point being that vendors are sales ppl and some are more scrupulous than others. It all boils down to what kind of a r/ship you want with your jeweler.

Happy to take comments and questions on the above vendor on my limited experience with them.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think it comes down to a couple of things. Drop shippers are just working from supplier inventory lists and can usually get a stone from you from other suppliers as can all of the vendors here. I don't see anything wrong with the offer to beat other prices. It is the ethics of the buyer to decide if they have asked a vendor to call in and test the stone for them whether they should buy it from a cheaper source. I feel that is absolutely wrong. Vendors that offer those services deserve to be paid for them. But there have been cases of a stone being listed on multiple sites. Say James Allen has a nice video of a stone up that let's you know that it is a good stone. Then you see the same stone listed on B2C Jewels, for example, and it is $800 less. In that case, I'd buy from the lower priced vendor unless the higher priced one has a service I need such as they have the only setting I want or I need a longer return period, etc.

My last round stone was listed on multiple sites. I had GOG call it in and they ran their tests, did the video, etc. I forget the exact amount now, but I think I paid about $200-400 more than it was listed at another well known vendor who doesn't provide as much info. That was worth it to me because I wanted to get an excellent stone.

In your case, most supplier lists simply aren't going to have antique stones on them. For one thing, most are not GIA graded. And with new stones, there is probably little demand for stones of low color like that, until they approach FLY.

I am excited that you found your stone, though!!!

 

[gregchang35]

Thanx DS!

The SA on the concierge was also very pushy...trying to make me commit straightaway. I just didnt like his phone manner or emails after that.."exhaust all your searches and the give me the info so i can source it cheaper". it just tainted my experience a bit. dont get me wrong, i like a bargain. but i guess, its the manner in which to approach things. some may like his tact, but i didn't.

will post more when i have it and things are on a roll... hehehehe