How often did you contact the vendor?

[LovelyHearts]

Just out of curiosity, how often did you contact the vendor with questions before making a final decision on a piece and then placing an order?

I have been working with a particular vendor, and I feel bad (almost as if I am being a bug a boo) because it seems like almost every day, I''ve emailed with questions or quote requests. I also placed 2 order before that I ended up having to return. The first was a set of earrings that I really wanted but when I got them, they were just too small for my liking. The earrings are still on my wish list but I have a savings fund to be able to afford the size I want. My brother also purchased an engagement ring (that he asked me to be in charge of because he wasn''t comfortable with the internet world) that I had to return because his engagement went sour. I just placed an order for my ring upgrade and I''m positive I''m going to love it. I''m also hoping to order a shared prong eternity band, but I haven''t gotten a response for my quote request.

Am I just too much? Do I need to just relax and chill out? Or is it a normal feeling to be obsessed with wanting my rings to be perfect and having all types of questions? I don''t want the vendor to cringe everytime an email from me comes in.

 

[CharmyPoo]

If I was the vendor, I will have a bit of a sour taste based on the past history. Sorry for my brutal honesty but that is how I feel.

 

[LovelyHearts]

Date: 2/13/2010 8:11:20 PM
Author: CharmyPoo
If I was the vendor, I will have a bit of a sour taste based on the past history. Sorry for my brutal honesty but that is how I feel.

Hi CharmyPoo,

I appreciate the honesty. I guess I figured that and that''s why I feel the guilt when I do contact them. I felt bad and that''s why before we placed this order for my upgrade, I made sure it is exactly what I wanted. With that said, should I just not consider them again for the wband and look at other vendors? I really love their stones and their pieces are amazing.

During a regular purchase (minus the returns), is it expected for a consumer to contact the vendor several times before placing their order? When does it become excessive?

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Well. . .if you''re constantly e-mailing, this may be excessive.

With the earrings, it would have been good to try some on in person before ordering them (to make sure you liked the size). Be sure to check out shared prong eternity bands before moving forward with your order.

Good luck!

 

[LovelyHearts]

Date: 2/13/2010 8:32:42 PM
Author: MC
Well. . .if you''re constantly e-mailing, this may be excessive.

With the earrings, it would have been good to try some on in person before ordering them (to make sure you liked the size). Be sure to check out shared prong eternity bands before moving forward with your order.

Good luck!

I have been emailing once every day for the last 3 days because I haven''t gotten a quote, but I also know that they were busy with Valentine''s Day this weekend. Before that, I emailed maybe once a week with questions. Do you think that''s excessive?

I did try some bands on at a local store and that''s how I know I want the shared prong eternity.

Thanks for your honest opinion. I didn''t have any bad intentions with the orders (the earrings was a total fault on my end and I take full responsibility for that hiccup). Other than that, any suggestions on how to make my relationship with them right? I''d like to continue to give them my business without having the sour taste but at the same time, I''d still like good service.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 2/13/2010 8:58:08 PM
Author: LovelyHearts

I have been emailing once every day for the last 3 days because I haven''t gotten a quote, but I also know that they were busy with Valentine''s Day this weekend. Before that, I emailed maybe once a week with questions. Do you think that''s excessive?

I did try some bands on at a local store and that''s how I know I want the shared prong eternity.

Thanks for your honest opinion. I didn''t have any bad intentions with the orders (the earrings was a total fault on my end and I take full responsibility for that hiccup). Other than that, any suggestions on how to make my relationship with them right? I''d like to continue to give them my business without having the sour taste but at the same time, I''d still like good service.

I''m not entirely sure. . .probably the best thing to do is wait until you receive your upgrade and are happy with that until you contact them again? Maybe they''re waiting on that.

 

[CharmyPoo]

Instead of all the emails, maybe you should just call them and get all your quesitons out at the same time. I am a really picky customer but even with that .. I don''t email them constantly. I try to make a list of questions and send it to them - I may have 1 or 2 follow-up emails. I don''t usually return anything unless what they delivered did not meet expectations and it is a high cost item.

 

[Laila619]

I think you're the customer, you're allowed to be picky, and you shouldn't feel guilty. As for the returns, no one likes to do those, but if you have to, well you have to! The vendor allows returns, so you're not doing anything wrong.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 2/13/2010 9:24:44 PM
Author: Laila619
I think you're the customer, you're allowed to be picky, and you shouldn't feel guilty. As for the returns, no one likes to do those, but if you have to, well you have to! The vendor allows returns, so you're not doing anything wrong.

I agree.

Before my recent upgrade I talked to two vendors about 5 and 20 times, respectively, and exchanged e-mails every few days for about 2 weeks. It has been more for previous purchases. My baby ring was the result of about 2-3 months of thinking/research and about 5, 15 and 30 e-mails to three different vendors. Yup. I am a high maintenance client.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 2/13/2010 9:01:45 PM
Author: CharmyPoo
Instead of all the emails, maybe you should just call them and get all your quesitons out at the same time. I am a really picky customer but even with that .. I don''t email them constantly. I try to make a list of questions and send it to them - I may have 1 or 2 follow-up emails. I don''t usually return anything unless what they delivered did not meet expectations and it is a high cost item.

Wow, you are much more restrained than I am. I would return something for any reason at all, even just changing my mind, within the return period. I have only done it with one jewelrt item out of maybe 6 purchases, but I would still have no qualms at all. That is why they have return policies, and it is a normal part of doing business for any company, in my opinion. I seek out companies with such return policies for the peace of mind, and usually pay a premium for the option, so I will take advantage of it if I need to.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

just treadjacking so say, dreamer you make me feel way better about my level of maintenance. I am now empowered to take as long as I want, spend more time considering quotes, and get exactly what I want

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 2/13/2010 11:49:33 PM
Author: Bella_mezzo
just treadjacking so say, dreamer you make me feel way better about my level of maintenance. I am now empowered to take as long as I want, spend more time considering quotes, and get exactly what I want

That''s nothing. I''d say in the last 12 months, a time period in which I upgraded twice and also bought my baby ring and a 2mm gold bad, I probably communicated with six different PS vendors on at least 2 occassions per vendor totalling about 40-50 or more e-mails (some single requests, but usually multiple back and forths about a particular quote or question). I got a lot of quotes and thought about a lot of different options before I settled on the projects that I did. In the end, I did projects with 2 particular vendors, and one earned about $3000 and the other $2400 in total for all their work over the course of the year. Not much compared to selling a 3ct e-ring, certainly, but my mom works in retail, and from what I know about how things work, I''d say on a per hour basis both vendors made a decent amount off me

We aren''t buying cups of coffee here, its diamonds. I think a *little* service comes with the price tag.

And I am sorry if this post seems gauche to anyone. I may have had a little wine tonight

 

[LovelyHearts]

Hi Dreamer,

I appreciate you chiming in. I''ve looked through many many PS threads in the past month and I have seen your polls regarding eternity or semi, bezel eternity, etc etc. It''s actually helped me narrow down what I wanted. I think the feeling I''m having is just me feeling guilty, because after talking to my hubby and other friends, they''ve reassured me that as long as I had no bad intentions, I didn''t do anything wrong. An example used is if I purchased something at Kay''s and decide a week later I don''t love it, I would take it back to get my money back. If I went back to the store a month later to purchase a different item, they wouldn''t look at me with a sour taste. I guess with online vendors it''s a bit different because it''s the same person that communicates with me, but I really had no bad intentions.

As for the earrings, I am still planning to purchase them from the same vendor, but just at a different time, when I can afford the size I want.

Regarding my brother''s ring, poor guy! He came on PS, excited about his proposal, had me jump through many hoops to help him with his proposal in Hawaii, only to find out his girl wasn''t what he thought she was. I even considered keeping the ring for myself since it was so close to the stone size I was looking for my upgrade, but it felt like the ring would be tainted a bit. Every time he saw me with it on, it would probably bring back bad memories, so I decided to return it for him.

I haven''t been emailing the vendor as much as I''d like to because I realize that I am still undecided and with Valentine''s Day, they are busy. I do try to be considerate of their time and that is also why I don''t call. I put together an email with all my questions so that they can answer them at their convenience, but I do expect answers within a few days. I don''t feel like I''m being unreasonable. Also, I don''t like to think of myself as being punished by the vendor for returning the 2 items. I''m not saying that''s the case. Again, it''s my guilty conscious talking.

But dang it (excuse my language), I really would like a quote for a shared prong eternity ring with ideal cut stones, G/H color, SI1 or better in quality that is about 2.2-2.3mm wide (I assume 3 point stones?) in 18K WG, set low so it doesn''t cause any issues with my new solitaire. (sigh)

 

[Laila619]

Date: 2/13/2010 11:47:08 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Date: 2/13/2010 9:24:44 PM
Author: Laila619
I think you''re the customer, you''re allowed to be picky, and you shouldn''t feel guilty. As for the returns, no one likes to do those, but if you have to, well you have to! The vendor allows returns, so you''re not doing anything wrong.

I agree.

Before my recent upgrade I talked to two vendors about 5 and 20 times, respectively, and exchanged e-mails every few days for about 2 weeks. It has been more for previous purchases. My baby ring was the result of about 2-3 months of thinking/research and about 5, 15 and 30 e-mails to three different vendors. Yup. I am a high maintenance client.

Me too, but that''s okay!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 2/16/2010 12:35:10 PM
Author: Laila619

Date: 2/13/2010 11:47:08 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Date: 2/13/2010 9:24:44 PM
Author: Laila619
I think you''re the customer, you''re allowed to be picky, and you shouldn''t feel guilty. As for the returns, no one likes to do those, but if you have to, well you have to! The vendor allows returns, so you''re not doing anything wrong.

I agree.

Before my recent upgrade I talked to two vendors about 5 and 20 times, respectively, and exchanged e-mails every few days for about 2 weeks. It has been more for previous purchases. My baby ring was the result of about 2-3 months of thinking/research and about 5, 15 and 30 e-mails to three different vendors. Yup. I am a high maintenance client.

Me too, but that''s okay!

haha... it''s ok with us, but what about the vendors

 

[mrssalvo]

I don''t think it''s wrong to call if you have additional concerns or questions. I do think it''s a little over the top to email them every day waiting on a quote. It is a busy time a year and quotes can take a few days so it''s only fair to allow them a reasonable amount of time to get the quote together and get back to you. Of course, a reasonable time would depend on the size of the company, if you are dealing with a 2 person vendor vs. one that has 20 employee''s response time can vary. Some vendors are so on top about responding to emails quickly and others have a bit a delay. It might be better to just call and ask how long you should expect to wait to receive your quote and not email them again until after that date has passed.

 

[Todd Gray]

As vendors, we''re used to people asking a myriad of questions, both online via email and on the telephone. Don''t feel bad about it, think about this... If you were sitting face-to-face with the vendor, wouldn''t you have a lot of the same questions? It''s part of the buying and sales process.

One thing though, do telephone the vendor to ensure that your email correspondence is not sitting in a Spam folder, I have to check mine daily because a lot of the good stuff gets sifted into there with the bad...

Returns are part of the online equation, it''s not like you''re able to see the diamonds before you buy them - it''s why most of us offer really good inspection and return policies

 

[CharmyPoo]

Date: 2/13/2010 11:49:32 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Wow, you are much more restrained than I am. I would return something for any reason at all, even just changing my mind, within the return period. I have only done it with one jewelrt item out of maybe 6 purchases, but I would still have no qualms at all. That is why they have return policies, and it is a normal part of doing business for any company, in my opinion. I seek out companies with such return policies for the peace of mind, and usually pay a premium for the option, so I will take advantage of it if I need to.

I am a hoarder as the fiance puts it. I think that''s why I don''t return stuff. The few times I returned to try again for high priced item ... it still didn''t turn out right.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 2/16/2010 12:54:46 PM
Author: mrssalvo
I don''t think it''s wrong to call if you have additional concerns or questions. I do think it''s a little over the top to email them every day waiting on a quote. It is a busy time a year and quotes can take a few days so it''s only fair to allow them a reasonable amount of time to get the quote together and get back to you. Of course, a reasonable time would depend on the size of the company, if you are dealing with a 2 person vendor vs. one that has 20 employee''s response time can vary. Some vendors are so on top about responding to emails quickly and others have a bit a delay. It might be better to just call and ask how long you should expect to wait to receive your quote and not email them again until after that date has passed.

I agree with this completely.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 2/16/2010 4:25:44 PM
Author: CharmyPoo

Date: 2/13/2010 11:49:32 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Wow, you are much more restrained than I am. I would return something for any reason at all, even just changing my mind, within the return period. I have only done it with one jewelrt item out of maybe 6 purchases, but I would still have no qualms at all. That is why they have return policies, and it is a normal part of doing business for any company, in my opinion. I seek out companies with such return policies for the peace of mind, and usually pay a premium for the option, so I will take advantage of it if I need to.

I am a hoarder as the fiance puts it. I think that''s why I don''t return stuff. The few times I returned to try again for high priced item ... it still didn''t turn out right.

I''m too cheap to hoard

 

[LovelyHearts]

Date: 2/16/2010 3:25:38 PM
Author: Todd Gray
As vendors, we''re used to people asking a myriad of questions, both online via email and on the telephone. Don''t feel bad about it, think about this... If you were sitting face-to-face with the vendor, wouldn''t you have a lot of the same questions? It''s part of the buying and sales process.

One thing though, do telephone the vendor to ensure that your email correspondence is not sitting in a Spam folder, I have to check mine daily because a lot of the good stuff gets sifted into there with the bad...

Returns are part of the online equation, it''s not like you''re able to see the diamonds before you buy them - it''s why most of us offer really good inspection and return policies

Thanks for the input Todd. It''s great to get feedback from a vendor.

I think I got a bit paranoid over the weekend. It is a combination of feeling anxiety about my new project and feeling guilty for having so many questions plus feeling guilty from my previous returns. I can''t believe how much time I''ve spent on this project. My sister thinks I''m crazy and doesn''t understand the fuss. She says to just go to Joe Escobar, try on the rings, and buy one. I think it''s a mind thing for me. I want to make sure that what I get is exactly what I want.

CharmyPoo - I wish I could hoard everything. There''s so much I want! But I''m known for returning things for the smallest reasons. I figure we both work really hard for the small amount we have, I want everything I own to be something I love 100%. This is the conservative side in me.