Why Whiteflash doesn''t make any sense

[mrssalvo]

Date: 1/19/2008 2:30:28 PM
Author: ringabling

You''re right, someone may have to pay a shipping fee, thank goodness the ones I''ve worked with have decided not to pass that fee onto me.

more than likely they will cover the cost somewhere else, either higher setting prices or something. No jeweler wants to lose $ so they are making their profit somewhere or they would go out of business.


personally, i wouldn''t mind paying an online vendor if they had to bring in multiple stones for me. But, the size range I''d be in are much easier to find so I''m not faced with that problem. Whiteflash isn''t the only vendor to charge the fee so I don''t think singling them out is entirely fair either. I would be very surprised if the local stores are really pricing the same as the internet vendors (apples to apples). last night I visited a Jared''s. the price for an 2 carat AGS000 H, SI1 $28,000. The price of 2 carat H, SI1 from PS vendors, most around 20K. so, a few hundred in shipping fees to to have stones brought it, I''d still come out ahead. If someone finds a local store that will bring in stones, no fee, equal price on apple to apple stones, no other markups etc, then that in one heck of a local B&M and I want to go there

 

[JohnQuixote]

We appreciate the thoughtful responses from experienced consumers.

There seems to be some confusion here. Obviously it costs nothing to view in-house stones. Additionally, there is no blanket charge for bringing in outside diamonds...

You pay no shipping costs if you buy the stone we agreed to bring in. More importantly, if the stone fails to meet our quality & performance criteria you pay nothing: We return it, absorb the cost and continue to help you search.

We only charge if a client requests multiple stones to be brought in (we recover base shipping costs for those not purchased), or if a single stone we agreed on comes in, passes our quality & performance tests, is approved for lifetime trade-up, but the client changes his/her mind. In this case also, we only recover base shipping costs.

We are quality-focused and will not sell a diamond without complete gemological analysis. In each case we invest our time & expertise, perform our own Sarin scan, take ideal-scope, ASET and magnified photos, etc. We don’t charge for any of those services. The process is intended to protect both you and us, since any diamond we approve is one that we may boast in inventory again; we extend a lifetime trade-up option.

I hope it’s helpful to have this explanation. There are many different business models and we encourage you to seek the one that best fits your situation. Ours has been successful with clients who share our priorities with regard to cut quality and lifetime guarantees.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 1/19/2008 2:30:28 PM
Author: ringabling
but any jeweler risks ordering a stone for a customer and them not taking it. . . I''ve been dealing w/ jewelers and diamonds for 12 yrs and have never been charged even a small fee for them to order in stones for me to review. One of the jewelers we''ve worked w/ for 12 yrs shares the buiding w/ Whiteflash

You''re right, someone may have to pay a shipping fee, thank goodness the ones I''ve worked with have decided not to pass that fee onto me.

You have a point, they do.

And every retail store I ever looked at/bought at prePS charged WAY more for the same quality stone (and usually it''s actually lesser quality), than what I''ve paid online. And therein lies where they cover that pesky shipping charge.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 1/19/2008 3:23:14 PM
Author: JohnQuixote
We appreciate the thoughtful responses from experienced consumers.

You pay no shipping costs if you buy the stone we agreed to bring in. More importantly, if the stone fails to meet our quality & performance criteria you pay nothing: We return it, absorb the cost and continue to help you search.

We only charge if a client requests multiple stones to be brought in (we recover base shipping costs for those not purchased), or if a single stone we agreed on comes in, passes our quality & performance tests, is approved for lifetime trade-up, but the client changes his/her mind. In this case also, we only recover base shipping costs.

John, thanks for clearing that up!

 

[Maisie]

I am on to my 3rd diamond from Whiteflash and I bought them without seeing them first. If I ever get fortunate enough to be in a position to buy a 4ct diamond, I will get my happy little self on a plane and visit the diamond in person before I would commit that amount of money! I would definitely buy it from WF though!!!

 

[samanthalee]

Date: 1/19/2008 12:04:15 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 1/19/2008 11:52:32 AM
Author: ringabling
Sam. . .I''m distracted by one thing. . . Whiteflash IS local for you. You are shopping in Houston, they ARE local.
Why does it matter what they do online really, since for you that''s irrelevant. Drive over and look for yourself, just like you do at other local jewelers.

I ''think'' it''s because WF doesn''t have this size laying around. So they''d have to call them in, and she''d have to pay shipping if she doesn''t like, while other local shops either already have some stones in stock (again, highly doubtful they''re of great cut quality) and/or aren''t charging her to bring them in.

Samantha, please correct me if I''m wrong.

Your absolutely right Ellen, no one has that size stone in house that I have found so far- thank you for all the input- I don''t mean anhything personal about whiteflash, I never did buisness with them, the reason I am pointing them out is because I called them , I never got that close to calling blue nile etc. maybe they all charge for shipping. I had some local venders ask me if I would pay and I said no and didn''t use them. The thng is I went to four local dealers, and only two came close to my stone-
which brings me to the next topic- princess vs radiant- I saw an awesome radiant cut as well!

 

[Ellen]

sammy, I never thought you had anything personal against WF, I knew what you meant.

And I hope you know, all these replies are just a way to help you get a killer stone for your money. That''s all we really want!