A list of bad vendors -

[Indylady]

If there were to be a list compiled of bad vendors, what criteria would you use to make the determination that a vendor is a bad vendor?

The bar to be declared a ‘bad vendor’ should be both objective and high in nature - simple customer disputes or grievances should not be sufficient to declare a vendor to be bad - but rather bad vendors should be limited to that commit egregious acts of misrepresentation or fraud. Since the advent of social media + easy to join selling platforms + photo editing software + instant cash transfer apps, it’s especially easy for vendors or individual jewelry sellers to commit fraud.

Do you see any cons to coming up with such a list? To add - any additions would need to be explained by a full written review.

 

[musicloveranthony]

As long as any statements made were factual in nature and evidence based, I see no real negative aspect.

 

[theredspinel]

Do I see any cons, yes multiple. As a whole the human species isn’t famed for its ability to be objective.

Plus the criteria each and every individual uses to decide for his/her self on what makes a vendor “bad” for them, will vary wildly.

For example, late responses or no responses at all for months at a time mean utterly “bad” to me, yet we have a years long thread on such a vendor but to this day they continue to be popular and people continue to send their precious gemstones to them.

 

[Indylady]

Do I see any cons, yes multiple. As a whole the human species isn’t famed for its ability to be objective.

Plus the criteria each and every individual uses to decide for his/her self on what makes a vendor “bad” for them, will vary wildly.

For example, late responses or no responses at all for months at a time mean utterly “bad” to me, yet we have a years long thread on such a vendor but to this day they continue to be popular and people continue to send their precious gemstones to them.

Ah - I don’t mean the objective decision of each individual poster - but rather pre-set objective criteria.

Ie. Vendors that don’t provide a refund without 30 days of receipt of returned merchandise.

 

[seaurchin]

Instead of good/bad vendor lists, maybe a review section with a thread for each vendor would give a more accurate picture. It seems to me that opinions are usually mixed. Also, sometimes a vendor is really bad at certain aspects but good at others or etc.

 

[LilAlex]

I prefer a white list to a blacklist. I think that's sort of what we have. Anyone can have a bad experience. And it can never be comprehensive, of course; I'm sure there are new reliable vendors almost every day, globally.

After reading many of the he-said/she-said things on this forum, I do not invariably side with the aggrieved poster. I have had so-so experiences from a bunch of folks talked about on this forum. I have not publicized my negative experiences here -- unless someone specifically asks; however, I do tend to talk about my good ones.

 

[peacechick]

I prefer a white list to a blacklist. I think that's sort of what we have. Anyone can have a bad experience. And it can never be comprehensive, of course; I'm sure there are new reliable vendors almost every day, globally.

After reading many of the he-said/she-said things on this forum, I do not invariably side with the aggrieved poster. I have had so-so experiences from a bunch of folks talked about on this forum. I have not publicized my negative experiences here -- unless someone specifically asks; however, I do tend to talk about my good ones.

I agree with this. I prefer a white list to a black list. I do not think we need to invite the negative energy that a blacklist would bring in. As it is, there are threads created to compare a vendor’s pictures and the actual stone, as well as threads for individual vendors. I believe consumers should educate themselves by doing a search for these threads before choosing to work with a vendor.

Something else I want to note is that culture, geographical location and personal experience can influence what you consider as good or bad. Even the way we understand a returns policy is not the same everywhere.

 

[LD]

I think this is potentially dangerous. For example I often see vendors being slammed for things that wouldn’t bother me. Having a good or bad experience is completely subjective. I like that we have a list of vendors who have been consistent over the years and they’re on the list for a good reason. A “naughty” list is a bit more problematic. Occasionally a vendor can have issues in their personal life that affects their business but this is typically short term and it would be unfair to penalise them and undo all their good work but can you imagine if you were first working with that vendor during his/her off period you would definitely want them on that list whilst others might be more forgiving. Who would make the decision?

Even with set criteria - and I have no idea what that would be - I see issues all over the place.

The other way of course is that threads such as @AnastasiaBeaverhausen’s detailing her dealings with one of the worst vendors ever is a very good reminder who not to use and a search on the vendor's name would throw that thread up. That thread had concrete proof with copies of emails etc but lots of posters wouldn’t like to share that level of information.

As the majority of posters are in the US I wonder if there could be legal implications?

Lastly , don’t forget there are always two sides and sometimes I’ve been shocked (when interviewing both sides) at how recollections differ wildly! Usually the truth is somewhere in between!

In all honesty I’d love to have a list of naughty vendors but I think a search in the forum for a vendors name is a big help. It’s also the reason I’m happy to share good and bad experiences. I posted about an overseas seller with photos and was accused of making the gem look bad! Why I would do that is beyond me but it does go to show how people will defend a seller (to be fair the main criticism was from the same poster who defended the seller in @AnastasiaBeaverhausen’s post but that was before her thread) but I hope you see my point.

 

[LD]

Instead of good/bad vendor lists, maybe a review section with a thread for each vendor would give a more accurate picture. It seems to me that opinions are usually mixed. Also, sometimes a vendor is really bad at certain aspects but good at others or etc.

I like this idea. My only concern is that any negatives (especially if that vendor is normally good) might turn into endless discussions and the purpose of the thread would be lost.

 

[FL_runner]

I think this is potentially dangerous. For example I often see vendors being slammed for things that wouldn’t bother me. Having a good or bad experience is completely subjective. I like that we have a list of vendors who have been consistent over the years and they’re on the list for a good reason. A “naughty” list is a bit more problematic. Occasionally a vendor can have issues in their personal life that affects their business but this is typically short term and it would be unfair to penalise them and undo all their good work but can you imagine if you were first working with that vendor during his/her off period you would definitely want them on that list whilst others might be more forgiving. Who would make the decision?

Even with set criteria - and I have no idea what that would be - I see issues all over the place.

The other way of course is that threads such as @AnastasiaBeaverhausen’s detailing her dealings with one of the worst vendors ever is a very good reminder who not to use and a search on the vendor's name would throw that thread up. That thread had concrete proof with copies of emails etc but lots of posters wouldn’t like to share that level of information.

As the majority of posters are in the US I wonder if there could be legal implications?

Lastly , don’t forget there are always two sides and sometimes I’ve been shocked (when interviewing both sides) at how recollections differ wildly! Usually the truth is somewhere in between!

In all honesty I’d love to have a list of naughty vendors but I think a search in the forum for a vendors name is a big help. It’s also the reason I’m happy to share good and bad experiences. I posted about an overseas seller with photos and was accused of making the gem look bad! Why I would do that is beyond me but it does go to show how people will defend a seller (to be fair the main criticism was from the same poster who defended the seller in @AnastasiaBeaverhausen’s post but that was before her thread) but I hope you see my point.

I think individual postings of reviews- good bad and ugly- with concrete info give the best picture of a vendor’s practices and products. I prefer that over a more simple list. Some things we can all agree are inappropriate (like never sending a product, sending a product that is not accurately represented , or not adhering to return/refund policies stated on their site) but there’s a lot of subjectivity in the experiences as well.

 

[T L]

The list is not necessarily all good vendors, just vendors that some have had good experiences with. It is recommended to always search the forum for a vendor name to double check their trustworthiness. Like any product or service, one should do their research and homework before committing a significant sum of money to it.

in fact, at the very top of the list, it states the following:

“These are the list of vendors that some people have had a good experience with. Your experience may not be the same. Please search the vendor in this forum for reviews.”

No one should ever assume that just because a vendor is on this list, they are perfect. There are some vendors on that list that I would never do business with, although some have had positive experiences.

 

[sydneyatl]

I think this is a good idea in theory but has too many pitfalls to be executed successfully in practice. I would also mention that in my six years on PS I can only think of one vendor that I would feel 100% deserves to be stuck on an eternal blacklist (and we all know who that is).

 

[dk168]

I prefer to promote good vendors and not to appear as bad-mouthing the less desirable ones in public in a list myself.

DK

 

[Indylady]

I think this is a good idea in theory but has too many pitfalls to be executed successfully in practice. I would also mention that in my six years on PS I can only think of one vendor that I would feel 100% deserves to be stuck on an eternal blacklist (and we all know who that is).

I’m curious - is it @AnastasiaBeaverhausen’s recent experience?

 

[MMtwo]

A very well-intentioned idea but execution could slide sideways on the curves.