- Joined
- Apr 3, 2004
- Messages
- 33,852
only a few in-house stones on their site since Jon left about a yr ago. They used to stock quite a few big carat stones.
If this is indeed the case, how horrible of them. To promise a customer a trade-in opportunity and then fail to stock applicable stones is a form of deception. Those are the kind of shenanigans that ruin reputations and close businesses.My theory since I have been watching for quite awhile is that since diamond prices have gone down since 2011-2012, they are trying to prevent people from upgrading since it wouldn't be financially advantageous for them. So basically, the upgrade policy is meaningless for those who bought 2 ct stones or higher, as I can tell you from personal experience.
Jonathan was the biggest asset GOG had as he was the face of GOG to the world, and there's no one more passionate about well cut diamonds than he is. Apparently his vision and theirs weren't the same. Big mistake on their part.
Yup, I'd agree "meaningless" if you are thinking about upgrading a 2ct stone. DS.. Is your avatar from GOG? are you thinking about an upgrade?My theory since I have been watching for quite awhile is that since diamond prices have gone down since 2011-2012, they are trying to prevent people from upgrading since it wouldn't be financially advantageous for them. So basically, the upgrade policy is meaningless for those who bought 2 ct stones or higher, as I can tell you from personal experience.
Yup, I'd agree "meaningless" if you are thinking about upgrading a 2ct stone. DS.. Is your avatar from GOG? are you thinking about an upgrade?
Yup, some of their stones aren't even close of being H&A. One of the reason I sold my Octavia was that I knew I will not be able to upgrade to another Octavia, so I thought maybe I can trade in my Octavia for a 2.5ct H&A stone, but they no longer stock any 2+ct MRB stones.The other very disappointing thing is that someone posted one of their Ascendancy stones here for someone looking for a diamond in the last couple of weeks, and that diamond wasn't even close to hearts and arrows. So I no longer recommend GOG.
Yes he is along with their upgrade policy.GOG is owned by Jon's mother and always has been. Jon is not "working there", but his whole family is and he is still very much a member of that family. He isn't "gone". Just as a piece of information, FWIW.
So, I'm just curious, to trade up there, does it have to be a stone they have in stock or could they bring in stones with the criteria you're looking for and do a trade-up? Would they have a stone cut to your specifications for a trade? Did they do that in the past or was it only from their stock situation?
If this is indeed the case, how horrible of them. To promise a customer a trade-in opportunity and then fail to stock applicable stones is a form of deception. Those are the kind of shenanigans that ruin reputations and close businesses.
Yes, they are - if that's what was happening. And yes - it would be horrible - if that's what was happening. As I have often said on these boards after someone expresses a strong opinion without knowing the full story - find out all the details first.
https://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond...-I-AGS-G-SI1-diamond-stock-16652-cert-2926606ETA On a different note - what visible difference does a cleft in the hearts make? Can someone explain that pls in terms of light return? I've never known, and would like to, @Matt B.
This. I'm glad you wrote this. It's a much more elegant than what I was writing. I think we just need to give GOG time. Change is hard for any company, but especially so for family run companies.Yes, they are - if that's what was happening. And yes - it would be horrible - if that's what was happening. As I have often said on these boards after someone expresses a strong opinion without knowing the full story - find out all the details first. When a good company - a company that's been good for years and years - acts in an uncharacteristic manner, you can normally assume there's more to it than meets the eye.
The buy back policy is still being honored in the form it was made to their buyers. Reducing their buy back to 1 year is hardly unusual; the one year limit is common to most of the vendors on these boards.
As for upgrades, has anyone actually spoken to the powers that be at GOG? I think the departure of Jon has unsettled the running of the company in the medium term, but I think we need to wait and see what their intentions are before we start slamming a company that has always been so excellent in its treatment of its customers.
If, on the other hand, you feel Jon was the heart and soul of GOG, all the more reason to switch your business to AVInc. Because as anyone who's done it will tell you, there's few things in life more fun than buying a diamond from @Rhino!
And if you're one of the people unable to upgrade immediately, there's not much to do except wait and see how this plays out. I spent 2 hours talking to Jon at the JCK, then had dinner with him that evening, and I believe all will even out in the end. I think continual dialogue with the company would help, tho; if they knew there was a demand, it could only help.
ETA On a different note - what visible difference does a cleft in the hearts make? Can someone explain that pls in terms of light return? I've never known, and would like to, @Matt B.
Cuz they're betting that 13 years after you purchase that stone your eye muscles will be less tight as well.
I also wanted to come back and add - Rhino has no role whatsoever at GOG as of this point and it would be hugely unethical for him to comment on their business practices. It would be equally unfair to ascribe GOG's business practices to him in any way.