Do you ever wonder if some PS'ers are vendor sockpuppets?

[Trekkie]

Re: Do you ever wonder if some PS'ers are vendor sockpuppets

Sometimes. I think suspicion can be damaging to the forum, and insulting to the posters (this is one reason I don't visit the CS forum too often, despite having a big collection - it's the one place where I've seen people being very catty with comments like "Mighty shilly in here, isn't it!" if some innocent schmoe comes on showing off a piece from an unknown or unloved vendor).

On the other hand, there have definitely been a few threads that have made me suspicious: I remember one woman over in SMtB who kept raving that her husband would only let her buy from this one designer, this one designer was so awesome, look at her collection from this one designer ... and then somebody asked if some of the shots didn't look awfully 'shopped. She never posted again, but, curiously enough, a year or so later another poster started up with a similar spiel, same vendor. I casually mentioned that they made great pieces, this other poster had loved them too ... and she, too, disappeared without a trace. Made me think a lot less of the vendor, truth be told.

I remember this! The vendor's initials were MB, weren't they?

This was several years ago, but what made me suspicious in that instance was how the user never commented on other PSer's sparklies, she only came here to show off her MB pieces. The tone of her posts was also quite 'off', if that makes any sense.

I also suspect the PSer some others have alluded to, purely because of the timing of the post. Very dodgy, imho.

 

[arjunajane]

Re: Do you ever wonder if some PS'ers are vendor sockpuppets

athena, I do not think you are being over-cautious - infact, I knew what thread had prompted you before I opened this post.
If you look at the posters history, the stories do not match.

I, too have now reported.

 

[athenaworth]

Re: Do you ever wonder if some PS'ers are vendor sockpuppets

I thought maybe it was a language barrier thing, but the whole story just seems strange. And finally, this is not very PS'y of me, but I find it really hard to believe she has THAT many pieces. I bought the ring and earrings to begin with, but all of the rest? And the backgrounds look pretty professional. I don't know. It all just seemed a bit off.

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Re: Do you ever wonder if some PS'ers are vendor sockpuppets

I have no idea what thread is being referenced, but I just wanted to chime in and say, Athena, please don't feel like you can't or shouldn't report a concern! I think the mods do a great job of policing PS and responding to posters' concerns, but there are so many threads - I'm sure it makes their jobs easier (and the forum easier to read for the rest of us) when posters like you find these oddities and let them know.

 

[athenaworth]

Re: Do you ever wonder if some PS'ers are vendor sockpuppets

Why oh why can't we PM here?!?

 

[PinkTower]

Re: Do you ever wonder if some PS'ers are vendor sockpuppets

I thought maybe it was a language barrier thing, but the whole story just seems strange. And finally, this is not very PS'y of me, but I find it really hard to believe she has THAT many pieces. I bought the ring and earrings to begin with, but all of the rest? And the backgrounds look pretty professional. I don't know. It all just seemed a bit off.

I am confused after going back to look at the jewelry in the OP. Are those two separate pairs of stunning earrings? Or are they two sets of jackets? Perhaps the hoop set and the drop set are separate pieces and somehow the center stones are able to be moved from one set to another?

 

[Lula]

Re: Do you ever wonder if some PS'ers are vendor sockpuppets

I thought maybe it was a language barrier thing, but the whole story just seems strange. And finally, this is not very PS'y of me, but I find it really hard to believe she has THAT many pieces. I bought the ring and earrings to begin with, but all of the rest? And the backgrounds look pretty professional. I don't know. It all just seemed a bit off.

I am confused after going back to look at the jewelry in the OP. Are those two separate pairs of stunning earrings? Or are they two sets of jackets? Perhaps the hoop set and the drop set are separate pieces and somehow the center stones are able to be moved from one set to another?

I went back to the old thread, too. I believe they are two different pairs of earrings. Which is odd. I mean, I know there are people out there with the $$$ to buy this stuff, but, seriously, how many cushion cut diamond earrings does one woman need? You'd think she'd want to mix it up a bit, maybe throw in a few rounds, asschers, ovals...but I guess if the point is to show off a vendor's incredible ability to source a certain type of stone...whoops, there I go getting sucked into athena's conspiracy chronicles again!

 

[Hera]

Re: Do you ever wonder if some PS'ers are vendor sockpuppets

I would be surprised if this type of behavior wasn't occurring.

While I believe that might be happening, I'm not sure the example given is one of them. My take on it is that the woman is wealthy, has lots of money and buys lots of expensive jewelry.

I actually think if he wanted to self promote a bit more, he would actually come to the community, post on rocky talky, personally address customer complaints and concerns, and start trivial arguments to get exposure. Besides, he seems really busy considering all the finished pieces I keep seeing on SMTB.

 

[athenaworth]

Re: Do you ever wonder if some PS'ers are vendor sockpuppets

I would be surprised if this type of behavior wasn't occurring.

While I believe that might be happening, I'm not sure the example given is one of them. My take on it is that the woman is wealthy, has lots of money and buys lots of expensive jewelry.

I actually think if he wanted to self promote a bit more, he would actually come to the community, post on rocky talky, personally address customer complaints and concerns, and start trivial arguments to get exposure. Besides, he seems really busy considering all the finished pieces I keep seeing on SMTB.

I would love it if you're right and we do have someone on PS with that many pieces. I'm in love with that necklace. So if turns out not to be a real person, at least it's sorta working and I've taken the bait.

 

[PinkTower]

Re: Do you ever wonder if some PS'ers are vendor sockpuppets

I was watching House Hunters International last week. The episode was about a school teacher moving to Dubai. Her housing allowance alone was $65,000 USD. They gave the average income of citizens; I have forgotten the exact figure, but it was staggering. So, I think some people really do spend that much on jewels.

 

[athenaworth]

Re: Do you ever wonder if some PS'ers are vendor sockpuppets

I was watching House Hunters International last week. The episode was about a school teacher moving to Dubai. Her housing allowance alone was $65,000 USD. They gave the average income of citizens; I have forgotten the exact figure, but it was staggering. So, I think some people really do spend that much on jewels.

Lord, I know I would. I'm kinda like the Sarah Winchester of jewelry as it is.

 

[Imdanny]

Re: Do you ever wonder if some PS'ers are vendor sockpuppets

Well, it's the interent and it's possible. If we suspect shilling we're supposed to report it (rather than accuse the person, I've been told) so my advice is if you think someone could be a shill report it. I hate shilling.

 

[slg47]

Re: Do you ever wonder if some PS'ers are vendor sockpuppets

I guess it's possible but TWO 5-carat rings? AND two sets of earrings AND a pendant?

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Do you ever wonder if some PS'ers are vendor sockpuppets

Oh yeah, I've reported shills. Fortunately, they are fairly easy to spot. Not very subtle if you subscribe to them, and fairly easy to out for the most part.

I have no tolerance for shilling, personally. It has no place here.

 

[Hera]

Re: Do you ever wonder if some PS'ers are vendor sockpuppets

I guess it's possible but TWO 5-carat rings? AND two sets of earrings AND a pendant?

Unless I'm missing a post, there is only ONE ring, two earring sets and a pendant. I don't know, it doesn't seem that far fetched. I've seen quite a number of large collections here.

 

[Lovinggems]

Re: Do you ever wonder if some PS'ers are vendor sockpuppets

I've successfully reported shills (spelling is right this time!) before, while that thread is kind of strange, the writing style very unique, contents , I don't think there is enough evidence to support the deletion of that thread just yet. I hope it's not a shill because that's taking unfair advantage over other PS sponsors that adhered to the rules.

 

[Zappy]

Re: Do you ever wonder if some PS'ers are vendor sockpuppets

Wow, those are some odd threads for sure. But it's borderline though...maybe this person really can afford that kind of jewelry (and nice camera) and has a..unique..personality/writing style? Suspicious in the end, though.

 

[Art Nouveau]

Re: Do you ever wonder if some PS'ers are vendor sockpuppets

When I read the first thread I was more doubtful than suspicious. I found the story strange and hard to believe and the workmanship does not look typical of the jeweler. The latest one is definitely more suspicious. The only people that I am aware of who would spend money like that are the nouveau rich in Asia with tons of cash. But, who would spend so much money on just cushion diamonds? If you believe the time posted in one post, it is 15 hours ahead, which is exactly the time difference between the west coast of US and Hong Kong and parts of China. If the poster is telling a real story, I suspect she is a nouveau rich Asian lady.

 

[athenaworth]

Re: Do you ever wonder if some PS'ers are vendor sockpuppets

If she posts some more pictures, then maybe I won't be as suspicious.

 

[junebug17]

Re: Do you ever wonder if some PS'ers are vendor sockpuppets

I guess it's possible but TWO 5-carat rings? AND two sets of earrings AND a pendant?

Sig, I also thought there were two rings, but there's only one. I dunno, I also thought something about those pics, and the writing seemed...off. When I take pics of my jewelry I usually end up getting my foot or the ironing board in the pic. And the timing seems a tad suspicious to me. I apologize profusely in advance if I'm off-base.

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Re: Do you ever wonder if some PS'ers are vendor sockpuppets

I guess it's possible but TWO 5-carat rings? AND two sets of earrings AND a pendant?

Sig, I also thought there were two rings, but there's only one. I dunno, I also thought something about those pics, and the writing seemed...off. When I take pics of my jewelry I usually end up getting my foot or the ironing board in the pic. And the timing seems a tad suspicious to me. I apologize profusely in advance if I'm off-base.

I don't know. The blue background in some of those pics just looks like she took the pics with the jewels laying on her jeans.

As far as a nice camera, the person who just spent ~$500k+ on jewelry since July would more than likely have a professional level camera and lens, so that doesn't strike me as odd.

I honestly thought this thread was about another thread . . . ?

 

[junebug17]

Re: Do you ever wonder if some PS'ers are vendor sockpuppets

I guess it's possible but TWO 5-carat rings? AND two sets of earrings AND a pendant?

Sig, I also thought there were two rings, but there's only one. I dunno, I also thought something about those pics, and the writing seemed...off. When I take pics of my jewelry I usually end up getting my foot or the ironing board in the pic. And the timing seems a tad suspicious to me. I apologize profusely in advance if I'm off-base.

I don't know. The blue background in some of those pics just looks like she took the pics with the jewels laying on her jeans.

As far as a nice camera, the person who just spent ~$500k+ on jewelry since July would more than likely have a professional level camera and lens, so that doesn't strike me as odd.

I honestly thought this thread was about another thread . . . ?

Good points Lauren. Not fair of me to speculate, going to leave this alone.

eta: Ok, I lied. One last observation...why no pics of the other pair of earrings in the most recent pics? Ok, that's it, I'm done, going to MYOB.

 

[VRBeauty]

Re: Do you ever wonder if some PS'ers are vendor sockpuppets

If this is about the cushion diamonds thread, I honestly can't see either of the vendors mentioned stooping to shilling. Love 'em or hate 'em, I don't believe anyone has ever questioned their integrity.

 

[slg47]

Re: Do you ever wonder if some PS'ers are vendor sockpuppets

I guess it's possible but TWO 5-carat rings? AND two sets of earrings AND a pendant?

Sig, I also thought there were two rings, but there's only one. I dunno, I also thought something about those pics, and the writing seemed...off. When I take pics of my jewelry I usually end up getting my foot or the ironing board in the pic. And the timing seems a tad suspicious to me. I apologize profusely in advance if I'm off-base.

I don't know. The blue background in some of those pics just looks like she took the pics with the jewels laying on her jeans.

As far as a nice camera, the person who just spent ~$500k+ on jewelry since July would more than likely have a professional level camera and lens, so that doesn't strike me as odd.

I honestly thought this thread was about another thread . . . ?

Good points Lauren. Not fair of me to speculate, going to leave this alone.

eta: Ok, I lied. One last observation...why no pics of the other pair of earrings in the most recent pics? Ok, that's it, I'm done, going to MYOB.

OK, seems like just 1 ring and the earrings were a re-set. That certainly makes more sense. It is hard for some of us to fathom owning so many carats! Sorry for being out of line, but the sheer number of pieces and posting style seemed odd.

I also thought this was about another thread when I opened it (something about HCA/VG cut?)

 

[Autumnovember]

Re: Do you ever wonder if some PS'ers are vendor sockpuppets

I thought maybe it was a language barrier thing, but the whole story just seems strange. And finally, this is not very PS'y of me, but I find it really hard to believe she has THAT many pieces. I bought the ring and earrings to begin with, but all of the rest? And the backgrounds look pretty professional. I don't know. It all just seemed a bit off.

I finally figured out the thread---I agree the background looks very professional. Those are not jeans that the diamonds are laying on, either. The writing style was interesting to read.

 

[Ella]

Re: Do you ever wonder if some PS'ers are vendor sockpuppets

We appreciate everyone's thoughts and comments, but it is not in the spirit of PS to publicly discuss and accuse someone on the forums without proof. The last thing we want to do is scare someone away from Pricescope with wonderful bling.

As we have said previously, if you suspect someone of shilling please feel free to report it and we will look into it and take action if we determine that the person is shilling. This situation has already been reported.