CVB or Erika W - who would you recommend?

[CalliopeCladdagh]

In terms of:

A) affordability
b) responsiveness

Would you recommend CVB or Erika Winters?

 

[marymm]

Is this a trick question lol?

Both CVB and EW are on the more expensive to very expensive spectrum, and if you research PS threads you will see a number of threads discussing (lack of) responsiveness from both vendors. Even satisfied customers have commented on responsiveness issues.

That said, if you have already narrowed down your selection to just these two vendors, I recommend selecting the one who has already produced the setting that most closely resembles the design and the quality of what you're looking for ... just my 2 cents.

 

[CalliopeCladdagh]

Both CVB and EW are on the more expensive to very expensive spectrum, and if you research PS threads you will see a number of threads discussing (lack of) responsiveness from both vendors. Even satisfied customers have commented on responsiveness issues.

Yeah, I know. Hence his thread. Not a trick question! Trying to see if there is a consensus on the 'lesser of two evils'
They both have designs I'd be equally happy with. I would love a setting made by either. Just trying to decide if it would be worth it.

 

[yssie]

I have pieces from both and plan to have more pieces made by both.

They have very different aesthetics. Reach out to the vendor whose portfolio most closely matches what you want. Both are busy and are disinclined to take on projects they don’t want, so depending on exactly what you’re looking for you may find that the choice is already made for you.

I’m confident this thread will be flooded with I had such a dreadful experience with X stories momentarily because that’s where these sorts of threads pretty much always end up! The thing to keep in mind is that there are always two sides to a transaction and here on PS you hear only one. Other people’s experiences won’t affect your own if you decide to reach out yourself.

Having just said that other people’s experiences won’t inform yours, I will now say that I personally have absolutely no complaints regarding responsiveness from either. However, I work only with vendors I trust. I don’t expect regular updates. I want to be contacted when there are decision points that my vendor feels I should be involved in, and I want to be able to rely on my vendor to judge whether or not my involvement would be meaningful. Outside of that - let me know when there are sketches or CADs, when I owe something, if there’s a problem, when it’s done. Taking this approach has never resulted in undue delays or being deprioritized - in fact, it has ensured that vendors are eager to bring my projects to life as quickly as possible and are always happy to work with me in future.

Their pricing is representative of design time on your project, the design background and expertise they bring to the table, and excellence in workmanship and finish. Neither compromises on any of the above, they offer no “lower cost for lower service/quality” options, which is something that I hugely respect and value.

I will say that your terminology - “lesser of two evils” - doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. If you’re that confident you’re going to have a negative experience then I do strongly advise choosing a different vendor you know you’re comfortable with.

 

[CalliopeCladdagh]

I will say that your terminology - “lesser of two evils” - doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. If you’re that confident you’re going to have a negative experience then I do strongly advise choosing a different vendor you know you’re comfortable with.

I hesitated over the right way to word that, trying to get my point across in response to "is this a trick question". It probably wasn't the best choice of words. Honestly, I have great respect for both vendors and the work they produce, but I'm located overseas and don't have cash to burn, so I'm trying to gauge the probability of hassle and expense, and weigh it against the benefit of having an amazing setting.

 

[oncrutchesrightnow]

If it truly a toss up and the only factor in you decision is responsiveness then reach out to both and pick the one that gets back to you.

 

[lissyflo]

If it truly a toss up and the only factor in you decision is responsiveness then reach out to both and pick the one that gets back to you.

Pragmatic. I like it

 

[mrs-b]

Both have great aesthetic. I've found CvB to be responsive and EW, not (tho see my comments below to explain this). Price-wise, EW is a LOT more expensive than CvB.

One thing to be aware of - CvB will do full custom. EW will only do her own designs as listed and you won't deal with her directly. Her website says she offers custom work, but I think that's more a service she may offer to returning customers and something she offered earlier on. I haven't worked with her before, and I was unable to extract that option from the rep who contacted me when I reached out through her web site. I was referred to the list of stores who carry her lines, and told to work through them rather than reaching out to EW (or her rep, I guess) directly.

Apart from anything else, since I prefer to work directly with the jeweler handling my order, and I *always* make tweaks, I'd go CvB, money notwithstanding.

 

[Cerulean]

Others have already said more helpful things…

But they aren’t in the same league price wise. Look at CVBs Etsy page, and google EW’s stockists to get a sense of the price disparity. This should take a mere few minutes of research to understand their pricing a bit more to help inform a decision

When I inquired with EW she told me to reach out stockists directly instead of going through her.

I can’t remember but there is a thread from someone who ordered EW’s Margot internationally.

 

[Gone_]

Others have already said more helpful things…

But they aren’t in the same league price wise. Look at CVBs Etsy page, and google EW’s stockists to get a sense of the price disparity. This should take a mere few minutes of research to understand their pricing a bit more to help inform a decision

When I inquired with EW she told me to reach out stockists directly instead of going through her.

I can’t remember but there is a thread from someone who ordered EW’s Margot internationally.

yep here it is... https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/claw-prongs-bad-workmanship.263545/

 

[lovedogs]

I'm concerned that you are saying things like, "lesser of 2 evils". I want you to find a vendor you are happy with and who you want to work with. You shouldn't go into working with anyone thinking, "lesser of 2 evils".

 

[yssie]

I hesitated over the right way to word that, trying to get my point across in response to "is this a trick question". It probably wasn't the best choice of words. Honestly, I have great respect for both vendors and the work they produce, but I'm located overseas and don't have cash to burn, so I'm trying to gauge the probability of hassle and expense, and weigh it against the benefit of having an amazing setting.

@Cerulean brings up a good point. Two additional questions to investigate/ask that are specific to your situation:
1. Will the vendor/stockist ship to your location?
2. Are there vendor-recommended repair facilities easily accessible to you? If not, are you comfortable having repairs done by a convenient-to-you vendor (acknowledging that this will void all original vendor warranties, guarantees, and future liabilities/responsibilities)?

 

[xxxxxx]

I have bought a setting from EW as an overseas customer. The setting is beautiful. And no other setting would have been "good enough" than this exact setting. BUT EW doesn't ship internationally. So I had extra stress and expenses getting my ring to me by doing it through a second vendor. Secondly in the first week of receiving my ring a prong became loose. Instead of being accommodating, EW told me pretty much it's my problem to deal with (I mean she offered I could send it back to the US, which made no sense because of taxes etc.). The other prongs are all secure and haven't been damaged (even though I have been far tougher with the ring the past months compared to the first week). So I do think the prong was faulty from the beginning.
Still EW designs are beautiful and I have not seen anything similar.