Bailey Banks and Biddle your opinions wanted.

[oobiecoo]

Fi and I went into a BB&B to look at wedding bands for myself since I was having a very hard time finding something that looked nice with my ering. The manager grabbed my hand and put his greasy fingers all over my diamond... then proceeded to tell me "it looks yellow and maybe a cleaning would make it look better". My diamond is colorless and looked fantastic so I was a little hurt that he said that... maybe his greasy fingers made it yellow!? We looked around at the bands and he seemed very uninterested in helping us find something we actually liked. He just kept shoving all kinds of things at us that were not at all (necklaces and enamel!!??) what we were looking for... just to get us to leave probably. While we were on the way out, he said "here, let em know you some REAL diamonds" and showed us this case of very large diamond rings... I glanced at them and then left. I was not at all impressed with his service, lack of tact, or the rings in the case that he said were "real" diamonds. If those diamonds were "real," what does he think mine is????



I''ve never had good luck at a BB&B but I know some people do... I wish they were more consistent!

 

[MoonWater]

I actually had a good experience at BBB, though I never purchased anything. I wanted to see the Ritani Endless Love halo in person and called ahead of time. I spoke with a woman (forget her name) and she stated she would be in the following Saturday. We must have been there at the very least, an hour and a half and she had no problem showing us everything and nothing she said was off the mark as far as I could tell (granted I was still learning from PS but she was far superior than Jared). My only problem was the signifcant price mark up. But I was considering getting my future husband''s wedding band from there.

In regard to Cut being King (i''ve been saying that a lot, heh, just said it today): Jonathan, I understand your point about the fact that customers want higher color/clarity. But I think it''s the jeweler''s job to educate. It''s not just that cut will provide a better looking diamond (which is subjective) it''s the fact that a poor cut diamond can face up smaller and size is usually the first thing on the brain of anyone that wants a diamond, usually before color and clarity...and cut...well geez that seems to be the last yet really the most important for various reasons.

 

[Modified Brilliant]

Date: 12/21/2007 5:00:15 PM
Author: oobiecoo
Fi and I went into a BB&B to look at wedding bands for myself since I was having a very hard time finding something that looked nice with my ering. The manager grabbed my hand and put his greasy fingers all over my diamond... then proceeded to tell me 'it looks yellow and maybe a cleaning would make it look better'. My diamond is colorless and looked fantastic so I was a little hurt that he said that... maybe his greasy fingers made it yellow!? We looked around at the bands and he seemed very uninterested in helping us find something we actually liked. He just kept shoving all kinds of things at us that were not at all (necklaces and enamel!!??) what we were looking for... just to get us to leave probably. While we were on the way out, he said 'here, let em know you some REAL diamonds' and showed us this case of very large diamond rings... I glanced at them and then left. I was not at all impressed with his service, lack of tact, or the rings in the case that he said were 'real' diamonds. If those diamonds were 'real,' what does he think mine is????



I've never had good luck at a BB&B but I know some people do... I wish they were more consistent!

Mega corporations that have thousands of employees and hundreds of stores can only HOPE for consistency.

I was a District Manager for a major jewelry chain in the early 1990's. My managers set the tone in each store...leading

by example..providing excellent customer service everyday. Some managers are better leaders than others. Some are better

trainers....some don't train at all. It's a huge source of frustration for middle management and I'm sure BBB is no exception.

A middle manager can only HOPE for uniformity, clean windows and showcases, and smiling sales associates

The next time you visit a jewelry store...check to see if a tall counter display (watch bands, charms, etc) has a visible layer

of dust on top. The really good managers and associates pay attention to detail. A sloppy store usually is a sign of poor management.

Sorry, I drifted away from the "CUT" issue...


Jeff Averbook, G.G.

Graduate Gemologist since 1986

www.metrojewelryappraisers.com


I

 

[starryeyed]

Hello Jonathan the Jeweler!

Thanks for your bravery in posting here. Everyone here is VERY cut-sensitive. Glad to know there are people out there buying "Good" cuts - leaves more "Excellent" cuts for us PS cut-nuts!

BBB Pros:

1. Great alternative to other "mall jewelers". Above average quality. Consistent name brands.
2. Brick and mortar, instant gratification.
3. Responsive sales people - informed me of sales, other store inventory.

BBB Cons:

1. Prices could be more competitive. Slightly stuck-up attitude about price.
2. Sales people could be more knowledgeable - didn''t know what fluorescence is.
3. Somewhat prohibitive security - pricier ring was barely let out of the case. Hence I felt like they didn''t believe I could/would buy the ring. Not good. Maybe a "mall" problem.

It''ll be interesting to see what new ownership brings to the table.

 

[Jonathan the Jeweler]

Thank you all for the warm welcome. It is interesting to see how BBB comes across. We have our own niche in the market, and it pleases me to read more good stories than bad. Considering we only have 70 stores we cannot be compared to other large chain stores. We are a guild store, at least in regard with the product we can carry, and do place a serious emphasis on quality. Its true that you can probably get a slightly better value at a good independant, but then you would have to leave the mall.

 

[Mara]

BBB is a national chain store. so unless jonathan is the owner or in the upper echelon of management, what is the real benefit of airing dirty or clean laundry with BBB? he's probably thinking uhhh i just want to hang out here...hahah. this makes me think of an employee at walmart coming here to read and learn and 30 people going 'oh yeah i've had the worst experiences (or great ones) at these stores'...!!

while i think that as with any company, they can learn from mistakes of course....i think you need to get someone who is actually in the position to make changes or relay changes to the upper management executives who can actually effect the changes for the customers. though there's nothing wrong with posting experiences with BBB, i just think that everyone should be aware that it's really just that...posting experiences with BBB.

for the record, i've been in many BBB's and always pretty much had good experiences...i ask for what i want to try on and i get it, i would buy a setting or a branded designer piece from them, definitely...but not a stone. i would never expect a chain mall store like a BBB to cater to someone like the PS customer. last time i was in one with some friends we heard some salesguy telling a poor customer that anything over H would be really yellow. it was all i could do to not lunge over and show the unsuspecting customer my sparkly big J. hehee.

welcome jonathan, hope you don't get too intimidated by all the diamond wackos around here...we're a crazy bunch.

 

[DiamanteBlu]

I have never had an issue with them. Every time I have gone into one [which, I admit, has been quite infrequently] I have been treated cordially, have been shown anything I wanted to see and have had a generally pleasant experience. I have never purchased there, however, so I can''t comment on that aspect.

 

[BlingItOn]

Date: 12/21/2007 4:59:22 AM
Author: Jonathan the Jeweler
I would agree with you, but not all consumers would share this position. Stones with mediocre cuts have their place as entry level pieces in the higher grades of cut and clarity. Different consumers can place varying importance on each part of the four C''s and still work to a price-point that they are comfortable with. To my eyes a better cut is more beautiful, but everyone doesn''t see beauty same. I recently sold a 1.2 ct. F/VS1 with a good cut by GIA. All said and done the customer paid about 12k after setting in a designer platinum setting. The customer was cost sensitive, and had he demanded a better cut he would not be able to afford the other fine aspects of his diamond and setting. The recipient loved the piece and wears it proudly knowing how rare and costly such a colorless and clean stone is.

Hi, I am new to the forum and have spent the past 2-3 weeks reading through every other post. Pricescope is indeed a very informative forum, and I felt I have learnt a lot from all the Diamond Lovers and Experts here!

THANK YOU!
Since I discovered the forum, I have read through most new posts, the entire 100+ pages of Show me the Ring - Eye Candy Folder, the entire Celebrity E-Ring Folder and every Diamond Tutorial on Price Scope in the hopes of learning more about diamonds, and what people are buying today before the DH and I make a final confirmation on a diamond upgrade.

I totally agree that "Cut is King" on Pricescope, and I realize that Cut should be VERY important to any consumer when purchasing a diamond.
However, I do agree with Jonathan that not everybody sees beauty the same. On a separate article whilst surfing online, I have read that "a better cut can improve the appearance of a Diamond by 1-2 colours up". But similarly, couldn''t a fussy ''idealist''/traditionalist simply purchase a diamond in the better colour?

For example, I would agree with a previous poster that given an "Ideal" cut 0.5Ct D IF vs a "Good" cut 0.75Ct D IF, it makes more sense to choose the 0.5Ct Ideal Cut stone, but how if we are comparing a "Very Good" Cut 1Ct D IF vs an "Ideal" 2.07 I SI2.
I cannot speak for the rest, but I personally would not pick the 2.07 I SI2 even though it''s Cut is comparatively better at "Ideal", and even though it is double the carat weight of the D IF.

Don''t get me wrong, I have seen many beautiful/sparkly white "J" colours out there, and SI2s with no visible inclusions even on those macro mode cameras that pick up every wrinkle/hair

, and they all look amazing! But it does all boils down to personal preference. So, although I obviously wouldn''t pick a cut that would make my diamond look like a frozen spit, I do think that everyone has a different "sweet spot" and striking a balance between the 4Cs will vary for each individual....to me....

Just my $0.02. (Please don''t lynch me

)

 

[HeartingDiamonds]

Date: 12/21/2007 11:03:49 AM
Author: musey
I went there twice recently to look at wedding bands (Glendale Galleria location). Their prices for the two I was looking at were actually better than Pearlman''s

I found the salespeople patient and eager to please, and sans sales-pressure, for whatever reason. They wrote down the SKU#''s for me (though I still can''t find a way to make use of those...??) and didn''t give me that ''Are you kidding me??'' ''tude when I left without buying anything.

So... my experience has been good. But I''ve actually yet to have a bad experience at a jewelry store since I adopted my uber-enthusiasm approach to them. I just act super excited about everything and pretend I can''t buy because ''My fiancee does the buying'' (wink*wink*), haha! It seems to work though, they always feed off of and seem to try to meet my level of enthusiasm. I can turn any grumpy saleslady into a giggly girl in a candy store

Salesmen, on the other hand, are a bit more tricky...

Sorry, I went a bit OT there! Moral of the story is that while my experiences there have been quite limited, they''ve been very good (especially in comparison to other B&Ms).

MUSEY!!! You went to the Glendale Galleria location? We must be neighbors then!

On to the topic - I always browse/shop at this BBB location. I have a fantastic sales rep there who calls me when there are special events, sends me $100 coupons, and lets me know when certain items that I expressed interest in previously go on sale.

Would I buy major stones there? No way! The selection is somewhat limited but its really the prices that has me running for the hills! As far as other pieces, like Roberto Coin, Scott Kay, Ritani, and certain watches, I am open - and have bought pieces from them.

 

[Ninama]

Date: 12/31/2007 12:05:08 PM
Author: HeartingDiamonds

Date: 12/21/2007 11:03:49 AM

Author: musey

I went there twice recently to look at wedding bands (Glendale Galleria location). Their prices for the two I was looking at were actually better than Pearlman's

I found the salespeople patient and eager to please, and sans sales-pressure, for whatever reason. They wrote down the SKU#'s for me (though I still can't find a way to make use of those...??) and didn't give me that 'Are you kidding me??' 'tude when I left without buying anything.


So... my experience has been good. But I've actually yet to have a bad experience at a jewelry store since I adopted my uber-enthusiasm approach to them. I just act super excited about everything and pretend I can't buy because 'My fiancee does the buying' (wink*wink*), haha! It seems to work though, they always feed off of and seem to try to meet my level of enthusiasm. I can turn any grumpy saleslady into a giggly girl in a candy store

Salesmen, on the other hand, are a bit more tricky...


Sorry, I went a bit OT there! Moral of the story is that while my experiences there have been quite limited, they've been very good (especially in comparison to other B&Ms).

MUSEY!!! You went to the Glendale Galleria location? We must be neighbors then!


On to the topic - I always browse/shop at this BBB location. I have a fantastic sales rep there who calls me when there are special events, sends me $100 coupons, and lets me know when certain items that I expressed interest in previously go on sale.


Would I buy major stones there? No way! The selection is somewhat limited but its really the prices that has me running for the hills! As far as other pieces, like Roberto Coin, Scott Kay, Ritani, and certain watches, I am open - and have bought pieces from them.

Ooh! Neighbor here, too! I haven't ever really shopped for diamonds or diamond jewelry anywhere (yet)... but there seems to be no shortage of great venues in L.A..

FF and I have gone into partnership on a diamond jewelry retail website (haven't launched yet) - so I'm hoping to hold out for building some pieces with wholesale components. I'm fairly champing at the bit... I know there are no real "deals" when it comes to getting top-notch jewelry, but I was stunned at the mark-up on the stock... and I guess it's still typical market value. I don't know.... we're the website design/tech end and our partners are jewelry folks.

 

[sera]

Date: 12/21/2007 8:20:25 AM
Author: HEPennypacker

Date: 12/21/2007 7:53:04 AM

Author: Rabe2000

Dude just try and fit in a little more.

Lol that sounds just a wee bit cult-like. Maybe the Cut Cult? j/k

We are Borg. You will be assimilated.

It's good to know some possible experiences I may find at the different stores. Like was mentioned earlier, I would definitely be willing to buy from helpful and friendly SAs (even if for another piece another day) and rotten attitudes is a deal breaker for me.

It is so frustrating encountering SAs who know nothing about the products they were hired to sell. Hopefully the change in management will bring some positive changes (and encourage those SAs who have given a positive experience to customers).

 

[Italiahaircolor]

When my best friend Laura got married, she and her husband couldn''t afford an ering. I knew this was very important to her, and I actually purchased a small but pretty ering for her as a wedding present from BBB. I made sure at the time she could "upgrade" it (if she chose to).

Flash forward to three years later...my BFF graduated college and her husband suggested she upgrade the ring and two larger bands to finish her set. She was over the moon! We made plans for her to drive up from Southern IL and we would spend the day lunching and ring shopping at our BBB in Oakbrook Mall.

Unfortunately, the help at BBB was anything but!! Laura wanted to spend approximately 5,000 on everything after her trade in. Once she made this clear to the staff, they lost complete interest in her. She would ask questions about certain rings, and they clearly felt "bothered" by her inquest. Our sales lady actually walked away several times to attended to other couples purusing the ering section.

It broke my heart, and I was very embarrassed for her. My friend works extremely hard for her money, and she was so excited about finally getting the ring of her dreams only to be treated subpar due to her financial limitations. She knew she wasnt a "huge" sale. But she never thought she''s be treated accordingly.

We ended up leaving BBB and made a beeline for my personal jeweller whom offered her a lovely sum for her current set and also set her up with her and fantastic ering and two bands.

I am thrilled she achieved her goal in carat, color, clarity, cut...and I am appauled at BBB. I will never shop there again...

 

[onvacation]

Date: 1/7/2008 5:12:08 AM
Author: Italiahaircolor
When my best friend Laura got married, she and her husband couldn''t afford an ering. I knew this was very important to her, and I actually purchased a small but pretty ering for her as a wedding present from BBB. I made sure at the time she could ''upgrade'' it (if she chose to).

Flash forward to three years later...my BFF graduated college and her husband suggested she upgrade the ring and two larger bands to finish her set. She was over the moon! We made plans for her to drive up from Southern IL and we would spend the day lunching and ring shopping at our BBB in Oakbrook Mall.

Unfortunately, the help at BBB was anything but!! Laura wanted to spend approximately 5,000 on everything after her trade in. Once she made this clear to the staff, they lost complete interest in her. She would ask questions about certain rings, and they clearly felt ''bothered'' by her inquest. Our sales lady actually walked away several times to attended to other couples purusing the ering section.

It broke my heart, and I was very embarrassed for her. My friend works extremely hard for her money, and she was so excited about finally getting the ring of her dreams only to be treated subpar due to her financial limitations. She knew she wasnt a ''huge'' sale. But she never thought she''s be treated accordingly.

We ended up leaving BBB and made a beeline for my personal jeweller whom offered her a lovely sum for her current set and also set her up with her and fantastic ering and two bands.

I am thrilled she achieved her goal in carat, color, clarity, cut...and I am appauled at BBB. I will never shop there again...

That story really is appalling. Blech!

Interesting to see how service can differ even in the same shop. I didn''t get that when I was in the Oakbrook store, and we were looking at $2k - 3k watches.

There''s this girl who works for one of my local jewelers. Unlike the owner, she''s really into diamonds and jewelry, and while she seems rather young, she''s probably one of the most knowledgeable people I''ve spoken with offline in our smaller town. It really makes a difference how good SAs can draw people to stores, and rude ones drive customers away!

I''m happy your friend has the ring set she wanted though. All''s well that ends well, right?