What to have on the invoice?

[SparkSeeker]

So when it comes down to payment when working with a reputable online retailer, getting an invoice is obvious, but what should be on the invoice for the buyer to be reasonably covered in case of future issues/dispute?

Itemized bill of the diamond/setting/engraving/work/shipping/etc. I get, but a lot the retailers have various guarantees especially satisfaction, buyback, upgrade, etc. as stated on their websites. Should these be also on the invoice? How much do you push to have these on there before wiring the money?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I've honestly never looked that closely, because the policies are well known at most of the vendors here, and I generally look at the total and wire the money! Now if you are making a custom setting, that might be different. But that's just to be sure you get what you asked for.

Which vendor are you buying from?

 

[lalala]

If it helps put your mind at ease, screenshot the policies on the vendor's site and/or archive the webpage. There are free services where you can just copy and paste the link and you'll get an archived link. Sooo, if for example, the vendor changes their website down the road and changes policies, you'll have a backup version of the policies when you purchased your stone.

Yes, I've done this before, lol.

Invoices generally don't have those policies, etc.

 

[Alexiszoe]

Have the upgrade policy clearly stated in the invoice.

Over the years I have noticed some PSers facing issues with vendors honoring the upgrade policy as the vendor changed their policy over the years.

I had something similar happen (not jewelry related) and had to get lawyers involved. Thankfully I took screenshots of the policy with date stamp - but I still had to go through the legal wrangle. After that experience I learned the hard way that having all these policies upfront in the invoice or purchase agreement is the easiest.

If they refuse to put it in the invoice, I second what @lalala said, although it does make me wonder why they won't do it if they had nothing to hide.

 

[LawmaLlama]

In my repeat purchase experiences with GOG, the receipt indicates the lifefime buyback/tradeup for each diamond. For example, when I bought the sidestones for my ring, each was itemized with lifetime buyback/tradeup specified.

As for wiring money, I did that for my custom cut. There was no invoice in advance, just a price and wiring instructions, then I received the receipt afterward. While a bit scary, I had less qualms because GOG is a trusted vendor. It is truly important to work with a vendor you are comfortable with and trust.

 

[MarionC]

In my repeat purchase experiences with GOG, the receipt indicates the lifefime buyback/tradeup for each diamond. For example, when I bought the sidestones for my ring, each was itemized with lifetime buyback/tradeup specified.

As for wiring money, I did that for my custom cut. There was no invoice in advance, just a price and wiring instructions, then I received the receipt afterward. While a bit scary, I had less qualms because GOG is a trusted vendor. It is truly important to work with a vendor you are comfortable with and trust.

GOG only has that contract clause for certain stones. It is not a general policy.

 

[rockysalamander]

I've bought from vendors that have policies on their website and not on their invoice. So, being a careful person, I emailed screen shots of the policies and requested that they confirm in writing that those policies were in force and effect on the date of my purchase. Since the policies included stuff not relevant to my purchase, I did not ask that they applied to my stone. Rather, that they were the legal policies in place on the date of my purchase. They probably rolled their eyes at me, but they confirmed it in writing for me.

Like @lalala, I take screen shots of all pages on listing like the LT, Ebay and Etsy before I buy to confirm that I have a record of what was claimed.

 

[LawmaLlama]

GOG only has that contract clause for certain stones. It is not a general policy.

I understand that. My point is that sparkseeker may want to carefully consider the vendor that doesnt express its policies clearly. I also think it is a great idea to keep screenshots.

 

[WinkHPD]

I came across this today while looking for something else.

One thing that is required to be in compliance with the Kimberley accords are statements to the effect that The diamonds are in compliance with the Kimberley accords.

Here is what we use:

"The diamonds herein invoiced have been purchased from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict and in compliance with United Nations Resolutions. The seller hereby guarantees that these diamonds are conflict free, based on personal knowledge and / or written guarantees provided by the supplier of these diamonds.

By shipping goods pursuant to this invoice, we warrant that, to the best of our knowledge, the diamonds invoiced have not originated from Zimbabwe and have received similar assurance of non-Zimbabwe origin from any supplier from whom we have obtained the diamonds invoiced.

The diamonds herein invoiced are exclusively of natural origin and untreated based on personal knowledge and/or written guarantees provided by the supplier of these diamonds.

Polished natural diamond(s) "

The reason we specifically mention Zimbabwe is that the Kimberley accords specifically mention terrorists using diamond sales to overthrow governments. In Zimbabwe's case, the government IS the terrorist organization using diamonds to fund their reign of terror against their own citizens.

If anyone should ever receive an invoice from us where these statements were not included in a diamond sale, please contact me and I will send you a corrected invoice immediately.

Wink