PintoBean|1474514973|4079457 said:I'm dying, Phoenix! show me the little weights your lobes have been strength training with in preparation for 8 ctw!
diamondseeker2006|1474514190|4079452 said:Phoenix, thank you for not being mad at me for expressing an opinion that was not in line with what you had already expressed that you wanted. I was kind of hoping I could save you some money.
I have spent some time looking at pricing at several of the super-ideal cut vendors to see what prices look like.
Basically, your 3 diamonds have about a retail value currently of about $65k. Was there a buyback policy on these stones? Because honestly, that is going to be your easiest way to sell those diamonds since you apparently paid a lot more than current value. Or even better would be if they'd let you trade them in on 1 earring stone, and then buy the other elsewhere. Otherwise trading the stone you paid the most for towards one upgrade stone at that vendor would possibly still make sense, and buy the other stone elsewhere.
When I looked in the upper 3 ct range, WF has a 3.73 H VS2 at $61,789 and BG has a 3.8 H SI1 at $64,185. I do think the WF stone is a better value since it is VS2 clarity. But it's not like we are talking about the other stone being hugely overpriced. In fact, these two stones have the same diameter and would be an excellent match!
kb1gra|1474542177|4079518 said:I didn't think any of the PS vendors did upgrades that weren't one stone for one stone. I remember clearly reading that in at least two policies. So unless it was by special arrangement, using 3 stones to get 2 stones would not have worked anyway.
Phoenix|1474527763|4079499 said:Mrs B, YOU GO GIRL!!
I am a lover of 3-stone rings too, and used to have a couple and now miss having one. Maybe I'll do a 3-stone ring with my 2.656ct diamond.
I LOVE all your ideas! You've obviously thought everything out thoroughly. I can't wait to see your new pretties!
annat|1474546403|4079531 said:The PS vendor upgrade/buyback programs are less than worthless for me. Setup so they can make a profit reselling my stone and they can make profit on a new stone I buy as well. Its no surprise they are more expensive than decent alternatives if you were buying a "Superideal" they were more expensive to begin with!
annat|1474546403|4079531 said:kb1gra|1474542177|4079518 said:I didn't think any of the PS vendors did upgrades that weren't one stone for one stone. I remember clearly reading that in at least two policies. So unless it was by special arrangement, using 3 stones to get 2 stones would not have worked anyway.
The PS vendor upgrade/buyback programs are less than worthless for me. Setup so they can make a profit reselling my stone and they can make profit on a new stone I buy as well. Its no surprise they are more expensive than decent alternatives if you were buying a "Superideal" they were more expensive to begin with!
kb1gra|1474542177|4079518 said:I didn't think any of the PS vendors did upgrades that weren't one stone for one stone. I remember clearly reading that in at least two policies. So unless it was by special arrangement, using 3 stones to get 2 stones would not have worked anyway.
Well stated Wink.Wink|1474550124|4079540 said:annat|1474546403|4079531 said:kb1gra|1474542177|4079518 said:I didn't think any of the PS vendors did upgrades that weren't one stone for one stone. I remember clearly reading that in at least two policies. So unless it was by special arrangement, using 3 stones to get 2 stones would not have worked anyway.
The PS vendor upgrade/buyback programs are less than worthless for me. Setup so they can make a profit reselling my stone and they can make profit on a new stone I buy as well. Its no surprise they are more expensive than decent alternatives if you were buying a "Superideal" they were more expensive to begin with!
I am not sure I understand your reasoning.
With a 100% trade up, even if prices have gone down over the years since you bought it, how is that rigged against the consumer? Even if prices have gone up, the trade up is extremely likely to be offering more to the person trading up than they will be offered in trade anywhere else.
As for the buy back. I suspect that no one buys a diamond expecting to need to sell it back. Sometimes, though, things happen.
It can be as simple as a lifestyle change and not wanting/needing the diamond any more, to more serious things, such as breakups before the marriage and divorces after. I was once called by the new owner of a Crafted by Infinity diamond who wanted an appraisal on it. He had bought it from a friend of his wife's who had just gone through a contentious divorce. He paid less than half of what I would have paid the original owner. What a shame for her that ex husband had never shared the buy back information with her.
The most devastating reason for needing to sell your diamond though, is your health or the health of your spouse or child.That is NOT the time when you want to go to your original vendor and discover that you are being offered twenty to thirty percent of what you paid. That is when you will be glad of having that 80% buy back that you never thought you would need or use.
If prices have gone down and you can still get 80% that is a good thing. If prices have gone up, then you can use the 80% of what you purchased as the floor of what you will accept, as you are guaranteed that amount if you can not find a better offer.
Did you pay a little more for a better cut diamond? Perhaps, but you probably got a better value for what you paid. It costs more to cut it than an average cut, with a greater loss of weight from the starting crystal, which results in greater beauty for the finished diamond.
I will grant that these things may be worthless to you, but I have many clients who have traded up or sold back their diamonds who felt these policies have great value.
Wink
I also respectfully disagree, kb1gra. Phoenix and I are most likely talking about the same vendor here - I traded in a pendant and a pair of earrings for a Quadex. I just looked over the vendor (I worked with)'s upgrade policy and it looks about the same as when I did this a few years ago.Phoenix|1474553958|4079557 said:kb1gra|1474542177|4079518 said:I didn't think any of the PS vendors did upgrades that weren't one stone for one stone. I remember clearly reading that in at least two policies. So unless it was by special arrangement, using 3 stones to get 2 stones would not have worked anyway.
With respect, that's not true - at least not in my case.
PintoBean|1474555042|4079561 said:I also respectfully disagree, kb1gra. Phoenix and I are most likely talking about the same vendor here - I traded in a pendant and a pair of earrings for a Quadex. I just looked over the vendor (I worked with)'s upgrade policy and it looks about the same as when I did this a few years ago.Phoenix|1474553958|4079557 said:kb1gra|1474542177|4079518 said:I didn't think any of the PS vendors did upgrades that weren't one stone for one stone. I remember clearly reading that in at least two policies. So unless it was by special arrangement, using 3 stones to get 2 stones would not have worked anyway.
With respect, that's not true - at least not in my case.
I think that many consumers would be interested in the answer to that.Texas Leaguer|1474554813|4079560 said:Which should beg the question - 'why don't all diamond purchases come with these policies?'
PintoBean|1474555235|4079563 said:I suspect the poster "annat" is a troll - I saw an awful post earlier this morning made by annat in another thread that was removed.
I think all those things are true.Karl_K|1474557433|4079572 said:I think that many consumers would be interested in the answer to that.Texas Leaguer|1474554813|4079560 said:Which should beg the question - 'why don't all diamond purchases come with these policies?'
I think its worth a small thread jack.
My opinion:
The biggest reason is risk and money.
Most diamond sellers operate on a rotating stock bases if they have any stock otherwise they order on demand,
and most of that is done on memo or net 30.
Coming up with say a 20k buy back or trade in on a diamond that you may not get back for a while is a heavy hit and many may not have the money.
That is a huge risk.
The other is stock planning for a stocking dealer.
A smart dealer carefully balances their stock and purchases and a buy back ties
up funds that they had planned for faster moving goods.
In the past dealers counted on price increases and few customers taking advantage of it.
In today's unstable market and the job situation in the US there is much more risk.
The higher price of the stone the higher all those risks.
What do you think?
kb1gra|1474555209|4079562 said:PintoBean|1474555042|4079561 said:I also respectfully disagree, kb1gra. Phoenix and I are most likely talking about the same vendor here - I traded in a pendant and a pair of earrings for a Quadex. I just looked over the vendor (I worked with)'s upgrade policy and it looks about the same as when I did this a few years ago.Phoenix|1474553958|4079557 said:kb1gra|1474542177|4079518 said:I didn't think any of the PS vendors did upgrades that weren't one stone for one stone. I remember clearly reading that in at least two policies. So unless it was by special arrangement, using 3 stones to get 2 stones would not have worked anyway.
With respect, that's not true - at least not in my case.
Both whiteflash and GOG specifically state one diamond for one diamond in their policies. I find it interesting that these are also the policies that don't require a price increase on trade up.
Above all, you must have extreme confidence in the product you are offering that there will be buyers for it today, tomorrow and on into the future. For it to be a sustainable, you can only offer these guarantees on goods that are core to your value proposition.
kb,kb1gra|1474555209|4079562 said:PintoBean|1474555042|4079561 said:I also respectfully disagree, kb1gra. Phoenix and I are most likely talking about the same vendor here - I traded in a pendant and a pair of earrings for a Quadex. I just looked over the vendor (I worked with)'s upgrade policy and it looks about the same as when I did this a few years ago.Phoenix|1474553958|4079557 said:kb1gra|1474542177|4079518 said:I didn't think any of the PS vendors did upgrades that weren't one stone for one stone. I remember clearly reading that in at least two policies. So unless it was by special arrangement, using 3 stones to get 2 stones would not have worked anyway.
With respect, that's not true - at least not in my case.
Both whiteflash and GOG specifically state one diamond for one diamond in their policies. I find it interesting that these are also the policies that don't require a price increase on trade up.
Texas Leaguer|1474571338|4079644 said:kb,kb1gra|1474555209|4079562 said:PintoBean|1474555042|4079561 said:I also respectfully disagree, kb1gra. Phoenix and I are most likely talking about the same vendor here - I traded in a pendant and a pair of earrings for a Quadex. I just looked over the vendor (I worked with)'s upgrade policy and it looks about the same as when I did this a few years ago.Phoenix|1474553958|4079557 said:kb1gra|1474542177|4079518 said:I didn't think any of the PS vendors did upgrades that weren't one stone for one stone. I remember clearly reading that in at least two policies. So unless it was by special arrangement, using 3 stones to get 2 stones would not have worked anyway.
With respect, that's not true - at least not in my case.
Both whiteflash and GOG specifically state one diamond for one diamond in their policies. I find it interesting that these are also the policies that don't require a price increase on trade up.
You are correct about the Whiteflash trade-up guarantee. One of the few stipulations on our benefit is the one-to-one swap. However, the purpose of that element of the policy is primarily to keep things simple and allow a more streamlined transaction. In most cases customers redeeming the benefit are looking to increase the size of the stone. In other cases they are moving up in quality or even changing shape. In all these cases the one-to-one rule works well for both parties.
Having said that, we appreciate and value our customers, and we are always interested in engaging with them on their trade-up/buyback needs and desires. While there are limits defined by our published policy, we are always willing to discuss alternative options. If we can help our customer, and it makes sense for us from a business perspective, we are happy to accommodate.
hathalove|1474579899|4079686 said:Texas Leaguer|1474571338|4079644 said:kb,kb1gra|1474555209|4079562 said:PintoBean|1474555042|4079561 said:I also respectfully disagree, kb1gra. Phoenix and I are most likely talking about the same vendor here - I traded in a pendant and a pair of earrings for a Quadex. I just looked over the vendor (I worked with)'s upgrade policy and it looks about the same as when I did this a few years ago.Phoenix|1474553958|4079557 said:kb1gra|1474542177|4079518 said:I didn't think any of the PS vendors did upgrades that weren't one stone for one stone. I remember clearly reading that in at least two policies. So unless it was by special arrangement, using 3 stones to get 2 stones would not have worked anyway.
With respect, that's not true - at least not in my case.
Both whiteflash and GOG specifically state one diamond for one diamond in their policies. I find it interesting that these are also the policies that don't require a price increase on trade up.
You are correct about the Whiteflash trade-up guarantee. One of the few stipulations on our benefit is the one-to-one swap. However, the purpose of that element of the policy is primarily to keep things simple and allow a more streamlined transaction. In most cases customers redeeming the benefit are looking to increase the size of the stone. In other cases they are moving up in quality or even changing shape. In all these cases the one-to-one rule works well for both parties.
Having said that, we appreciate and value our customers, and we are always interested in engaging with them on their trade-up/buyback needs and desires. While there are limits defined by our published policy, we are always willing to discuss alternative options. If we can help our customer, and it makes sense for us from a business perspective, we are happy to accommodate.
What I love about WF. Always willing to have the conversation I appreciate that. I did ask about upgrading my one ACA stone for two smaller stones and in this case would have probably had to pay out another $1000-1500 and they very nicely said NO. Ah well. I am appreciative of any buyback/trade in upgrade policy at all. When I do think about it. I keep hearing diamond prices are low but when I look at comp stones they are the same under the 1 carat mark. I have a .80 and was wanting two .55-65 stones for earrings.
annat|1474546403|4079531 said:The PS vendor upgrade/buyback programs are less than worthless for me. Setup so they can make a profit reselling my stone and they can make profit on a new stone I buy as well. Its no surprise they are more expensive than decent alternatives if you were buying a "Superideal" they were more expensive to begin with!
diamondseeker2006|1474514190|4079452 said:Phoenix, thank you for not being mad at me for expressing an opinion that was not in line with what you had already expressed that you wanted. I was kind of hoping I could save you some money.
I have spent some time looking at pricing at several of the super-ideal cut vendors to see what prices look like.
Basically, your 3 diamonds have about a retail value currently of about $65k. Was there a buyback policy on these stones? Because honestly, that is going to be your easiest way to sell those diamonds since you apparently paid a lot more than current value. Or even better would be if they'd let you trade them in on 1 earring stone, and then buy the other elsewhere. Otherwise trading the stone you paid the most for towards one upgrade stone at that vendor would possibly still make sense, and buy the other stone elsewhere.
When I looked in the upper 3 ct range, WF has a 3.73 H VS2 at $61,789 and BG has a 3.8 H SI1 at $64,185. I do think the WF stone is a better value since it is VS2 clarity. But it's not like we are talking about the other stone being hugely overpriced. In fact, these two stones have the same diameter and would be an excellent match!
Phoenix|1474607098|4079818 said:diamondseeker2006|1474514190|4079452 said:Phoenix, thank you for not being mad at me for expressing an opinion that was not in line with what you had already expressed that you wanted. I was kind of hoping I could save you some money.
I have spent some time looking at pricing at several of the super-ideal cut vendors to see what prices look like.
Basically, your 3 diamonds have about a retail value currently of about $65k. Was there a buyback policy on these stones? Because honestly, that is going to be your easiest way to sell those diamonds since you apparently paid a lot more than current value. Or even better would be if they'd let you trade them in on 1 earring stone, and then buy the other elsewhere. Otherwise trading the stone you paid the most for towards one upgrade stone at that vendor would possibly still make sense, and buy the other stone elsewhere.
When I looked in the upper 3 ct range, WF has a 3.73 H VS2 at $61,789 and BG has a 3.8 H SI1 at $64,185. I do think the WF stone is a better value since it is VS2 clarity. But it's not like we are talking about the other stone being hugely overpriced. In fact, these two stones have the same diameter and would be an excellent match!
DS, I haven't had a chance to respond to this point til now. Where did you get this information from pls?
This stone is closest to my 2.358ct H SI1 and it's USD29k (mine has a diameter of 8.54-8.57 and this one is 8.61-8.65mm):
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2994225.htm
My 2.3ct G Si1 (wt MBF), should be similarly priced and my 2.656ct H Si2 shd be priced higher. So, the three should still have a total retail value at close to USD100k; even at the lowest/ worst 90-95k.
And this one, with a similar diameter to my 2.656ct, albeit at one clarity grade better, is USD36k:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/2.700-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-104085060021
Why are vendor X's prices so much higher than their closest competitor Y's?"