Vendor disclaimers-- compare yours

[Gypsy]

Not a vendor bashing post. So please keep your comments respectful of each other AND of the vendors.

I personally have vendors I post 'disclaimers' about when appropriate. I'm wondering if others have disclaimers. I thought we'd compare.

I always try to make people aware that Leon is an acquired taste.

I try to remember to tell folks that BN is a drop shipper and doesn't evaluate stones on a case by case.

I seem to recall that GOG and Pearlmans don't do (except on rare occassion MAYBE) custom in house settings for rings. So when folks want one stop, and "one stop" means custom setting, I know to drop this in my post.

I seem to remember that JA has only a certain number of ASETS, etc. that they will do. I'm not sure if this is lifetime or per-purchase (lifetime probably only applies to diamond addicts, but it's a distinction I haven't remembered to clarify).

I know that MWM and James Meyer have VERY distinct styles, are single craftsmen, and only do work suited to thier style and that their leadtimes vary.

I just learned that James Meyer is not currently accepting outside stones right now. Not sure if that is non-diamond only, or really 'all stones that he doesn't source.'

What are your vendor 'factoids'... or disclaimers.

 

[Iowa Lizzy]

Well, having only worked with GOG, MWM and BGD, I would say my disclaimers are this:

GOG will be very helpful in comparing and choosing stones but (according to DH) don't expect to have your hand held during/after the purchase.

MWM does exquisite work but don't expect custom work and be prepared to wait quite a while.

BGD is VERY easy to get along with (I didn't notice any ego at all) and (again, according to DH) is willing to make many changes to your order as you waiver on your choices. However, response times can range from a matter of minutes to a few weeks.

 

[Kaleigh]

I have worked with many vendors... GOG, WF, Facets, BGD, Pearlmans...

The only beef I have is that ERD after calling them , never got back to me.. When I called, I talked to the associate and gave all the parameters of what I wanted.. I had emailed them as well. They lost out on a big sale. This was a 20th anniversary present... You snooze you lose...

GOG got the sale, they went above and beyond to pull a few ovals for me, and sent me a video as I couldn't get there to see them.. Now that is awesome..

We are celebrating 24 years this Monday..

And no bling for me... Methinks I have enough!!!

 

[Gypsy]

It is funny how peoples tolerances are different.

I have noticed that EVERY vendor that I've contacted through their website has had a communication flub. If I don't have a direct email or do not get a response in 48 hours and I am serious about an inquiry-- I call. "Contact Us" is just a click away from "you are never getting a response from us" as far as I'm concerned.

There are times I am just getting a multiple vendor quote for a project, and I send out a request for quote to a few vendors, and I eliminate the ones who don't respond. But if there is something I specifically want from a specific vendor I email, then follow up with a call.

Honestly, the only two vendors who I've contacted and ALWAYS (every single time) gotten a response from are Wink and Neal Beaty. Both of whom I have worked for and do favor.

ERD, JA, ID Jewelry, WF, Pearlmans, BGD, Leon, Maytal all have 'dropped' emails or communications... and the ones where I've had "interesting" interactions with are MWM (I was too picky for him), Leon (have I mentioned that he's an acquired taste), James Meyer (told me my project didn't interest him), WF (differences in philosophy) and the jeweler in MN (whose name I can't recall) where the guy on the phone got really PRECISE with me when I asked if they'd set a sapphire for me in one of their settings and they told me very loudly that they do NOT set anything but stones they source or diamonds (had a feeling PSers had been asking him that a LOT).

 

[Iowa Lizzy]

Oh, I will say that when I first started looking, I contacted Judah at Excel and he was very prompt with responses but we ultimately went with GOG as they had the diamond we wanted in stock. Jonathan also made us a great comparison video that was super helpful.

Gypsy, was it Knox Jewelers in MN?

 

[Dreamer_D]

I have noticed that EVERY vendor that I've contacted through their website has had a communication flub. If I don't have a direct email or do not get a response in 48 hours and I am serious about an inquiry-- I call. "Contact Us" is just a click away from "you are never getting a response from us" as far as I'm concerned.

This has been my experience too.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I always give a disclaimer about BN and lack of images or in house stone yadda yadda.

I tell people that Leon is unpredictable and not for everyone. Sometimes I say it more harshly because, really, when it is bad it is baaaaaaaaaaaad.

I tell people that JA is not so hot with the ASET images. I just don't find the ones they give all that informative for the fancies most of the time, I am not sure how good their set up is.

 

[softly softly]

Well, having only worked with GOG, MWM and BGD, I would say my disclaimers are this:

GOG will be very helpful in comparing and choosing stones but (according to DH) don't expect to have your hand held during/after the purchase.

MWM does exquisite work but don't expect custom work and be prepared to wait quite a while.

BGD is VERY easy to get along with (I didn't notice any ego at all) and (again, according to DH) is willing to make many changes to your order as you waiver on your choices. However, response times can range from a matter of minutes to a few weeks.

I think MWM availability for custom projects tends to vary, although he does seem to be focusing on his signature settings more these days. I found him very easy to work with and pleasant to deal with, but you are right you have to be prepared to wait. My ring took almost 6 months! But in fairness I should add that I commissioned the project at a time when he was still recovering from illness and went into it with the understanding that it would be a couple of months before he was able to start on it. I think it is worth noting that Mark was always very open about how long it was going to take. I initially found some of the information on his website a bit abrupt in it's tone, but having worked with him I think he is a vendor who has very exacting standards, who is also aware of his limitations as a 'one man show' and who is very reluctant to make promises he may not be able to keep.