Vendors ALWAYS say a stone is BEAUTIFUL!

[jj970]

I''ve now gone through the stone buying process for about 3 months. I''ve made a purchase and am overall happy with it, although the final product isn''t quite ready. I''ll post the whole thing when it''s all done.

I just wanted to make an observation here.

I went to mall stores and shopped online. I talked with PS recommended people and ones that weren''t. I talked to about 30 vendors in total.

The disturbing thing to me, was that EVERY single time I asked about a stone wheter in-house or not, the vendor assured me that the stone I asked about was gorgeous, better than the rest, out of its league, a real steal for the price, or any other number of exclamations. I asked about EGL-US, EGL-Europe, AGS, GIA, etc stones, just to see if there was any difference in response. There wasn''t.

Now, perhaps I''m just skeptical by nature, but how could every single one of the stones I asked about be so stupendously perfect? I do not think it''s possible. Most of the time, I got a pretty hard sell. I''d say 80% of the time I was told, "Another client is asking about the stone, but I held it for you. You have X number of days to decide." I know, it''s a sales job and the point is to move merchandise, but overall it left a bad feeling with me.

I know that I might be venting to the wrong group, you guys are all obviously very attached and cohesive here. But, I''d like to hear what you have to say.

I still love the site and the help I''ve gotten here by the way.

 

[strmrdr]

aany vendor can tell ya blah blah blah is one of the best blah blah blah...
My responce... prove it...
The good ones can....

Thats why we ask for aset and or IS images, heart images if its claimed to be h&a and other proof of cut quality.

 

[partgypsy]

Storm, great answer.

I also think it''s good to ask the vendor a specific question, rather than a vague, is it nice
I want to spend this dollar amount and I want to maximize (size, cut) etc, which stone would you select?
I want to aim for this, can I get it for this amount or do I need to spend more?
this diamond is more expensive than this one, why?
You have to know what you are asking the vendor before they can answer.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Strm and Part Gypsy give excellent replies.

When using vendors who hand-pick their inventory you can expect to hear "beautiful" a lot since the diamond would not have been selected, and the array of images/cut quality proof would not be offered so openly, unless it stood out. In those cases Part Gypsy's suggestions are perfect; request to know why it stands out.

When using vendors who don't hand-pick their inventory Strm's suggestions become more important than ever.

There is another quality indicator that bears mention here - the trade-up option. By offering this the seller is saying "we will be proud to host this diamond in our inventory again." It would be silly for someone to dish non-beautiful items with such a guarantee. Such sellers will also tell clients when a sourced diamond is not beautiful - and will recommend against it. We certainly do, and I'm confident some of our cut-focused peers do as well.

 

[Rhino]

What is also of interest is how many times us retailers hear it from the supply side as well. We get the same pitch. Once a supplier realizes the methods of some of us have for picking they tend to be at little more selective in their terminology.

 

[DiamondExpert]

You shouldn''t have to rely on the verbal comments of the seller (nobody admits that they sell an average looking stone or garbage now, do they), and the prepared ones don''t expect you to - that''s why the most detailed data are provided to help you make an informed decision.

In a best case senario, you should expect pics, 3D imaging (Sarin, OGI, etc.), cert, Idealscope, H&A image and ASET image up front, or at least on request.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 1/11/2008 11:17:26 PM
Author: Rhino
What is also of interest is how many times us retailers hear it from the supply side as well. We get the same pitch. Once a supplier realizes the methods of some of us have for picking they tend to be at little more selective in their terminology.

yea sales drones are the same on both sides of the tracks and in any industry.
That''s why I don''t deal with em.
Its amazing how when Id order something id be off the phone in 3 min and have the best price the company can supply when it took anyone I worked with 30 min just to get thru the sales drones pitch.
appraise your seller, appraise your appraiser ,and appraise your diamond.