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The End of an Era

yssie said:
I want to resurrect this thread to add one fact that I don't think has been explicated anywhere on PS. It took me a while to understand it myself.

PS is a powerful place. Not just because of the people who come to PS to learn and buy from recommended vendors, but because of its gravitas in SEO.

However people might have heard of Wink, HPD, or Wolf CBI, wherever people might have heard of Wink, HPD, or Wolf CBI - if those people did a Google search, that PS announcement would have been amongst the first responses.

It's not a matter of PS members being HPD / Wolf CBI's primary clientele. Or, at least, it's not just a matter of that. That announcement would have had far wider reach and impact than on PS eyes alone thanks to Google. In fact - PS members who had background and history and context were probably the viewers least impacted by it!

In 2020/2021 all the customer portfolio diversification in the world won't help you if a Google search damns you.
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Agreed. 100 Percent
 
I want to resurrect this thread to add one fact that I don't think has been explicated anywhere on PS. It took me a while to understand it myself.

PS is a powerful place. Not just because of the people who come to PS to learn and buy from recommended vendors, but because of its gravitas in SEO.

However people might have heard of Wink, HPD, or Wolf CBI, wherever people might have heard of Wink, HPD, or Wolf CBI - if those people did a Google search, that PS announcement would have been amongst the first responses.

It's not a matter of PS members being HPD / Wolf CBI's primary clientele. Or, at least, it's not just a matter of that. That announcement would have had far wider reach and impact than on PS eyes alone thanks to Google. In fact - PS members who had background and history and context were probably the viewers least impacted by it!

In 2020/2021 all the customer portfolio diversification in the world won't help you if a Google search damns you.
 
This was news to me, I tried to find HPD online and got directed to Wolf then the website didn't work so I emailed was told they were no longer in business, :( . I really wanted a CBI.
 
@autumngems Hey there. I saw your other post as well. For my own edification, I was also exploring where to get a CBI stone. I missed out getting one from our dear Wink.
Then, I remembered that Wink used to talk me about a place called Continental Diamonds out of Minneapolis, Minnesota--he mentioned that they were one of his best competitors. Wink has always been a person that appreciated worthy competitors. :) Here is their website. You may want to call them to discuss.

Jewelry Store Minnesota Adores | Continental Diamond

We became Minnesota's leading jewelry store by creating authentic, kind and caring relationships with our visitors, customers, brands and team. Beyond selling incredible diamonds, engagement rings, jewelry, and timepieces, we have been celebrating love stories and life moments for over 40 years.
www.continentaldiamond.com
 
luvmysparklies said:
@autumngems Hey there. I saw your other post as well. For my own edification, I was also exploring where to get a CBI stone. I missed out getting one from our dear Wink.
Then, I remembered that Wink used to talk me about a place called Continental Diamonds out of Minneapolis, Minnesota--he mentioned that they were one of his best competitors. Wink has always been a person that appreciated worthy competitors. :) Here is their website. You may want to call them to discuss.

Jewelry Store Minnesota Adores | Continental Diamond

We became Minnesota's leading jewelry store by creating authentic, kind and caring relationships with our visitors, customers, brands and team. Beyond selling incredible diamonds, engagement rings, jewelry, and timepieces, we have been celebrating love stories and life moments for over 40 years.
www.continentaldiamond.com
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Thank you but I don't see CBI listed
 
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autumngems said:
Thank you but I don't see CBI listed
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Apologies. :oops:Given the sensitivity about this situation, I probably should have done a bit more than go down memory lane and should have provided better clarity. When I mentioned that Wink told me (years ago) that he considered Continental Diamond his best competitor, he was referring to the CBI product. I had no reason to seek them out at that time, because I was dealing with Wink.

They do not list any of their diamonds on their website. However, they do in fact sell CBI diamonds. This is why I suggested giving them a call to discuss. I also encountered the Wolf-out-of-business situation as well. When I read that you wanted a CBI, it was just me trying to give you a viable lead. HTH
 
I am so truly saddened by how this could have happened to someone so honest and genuinely kind as you, Wink. I'm so sorry for everything you went through. To realize now what you have done for me in the midst of all the turmoil you were facing makes this even more devastating.

You and your team remade the setting of my engagement ring from scratch at no cost to me so that it would be easier for me to clean and upgraded the side stones at no cost as well. It was unbelievable that you were willing to do that for me, when I was only upgrading my diamond. That speaks volumes to the type of person you are. There is no amount of slander that can smear the kindheartedness and integrity you truly have.

I wanted so much to post the fantastic review of you and your team's service and am regretful that I had not done it sooner. The struggles of being a new mother and the passing of my grandma made this time very difficult, but I will NEVER forget the level of service I received from you, from Melissa and your staff. Thank you so much Wink, Melissa and the whole team. I am so grateful to you all. I wish you and your families nothing but the best as you close this chapter and move on to the next. May you be filled with many blessings and happiness in whatever your future holds.
 
I am crying over a PS post for the second time today. The first was the post sharing the passing of DF. I was looking through his posts and comments and smiling at his great sense of humor and helpfulness when I ran across this post. I've worked hard at staying out of touch with the daily world as I just needed some time to let my mind find happiness again so this came as a complete shock. One of the things I had been thinking about recently was how I might (finally) be able to look at working with Wink on a project. DH and I met him when he came to our area and I was impressed at how wonderful and real he was and that gorgeous ring he wore. On the ride home, DH told me that he finally understood why I was interested in sparklies and told me that he wanted me to buy something from Wink when we were in a good position because he was a great guy with the sparkliest diamonds ever. I'm sad I will not get that opportunity but glad to see @Wink sticking around.
 
Julileu said:
I am so truly saddened by how this could have happened to someone so honest and genuinely kind as you, Wink. I'm so sorry for everything you went through. To realize now what you have done for me in the midst of all the turmoil you were facing makes this even more devastating.

You and your team remade the setting of my engagement ring from scratch at no cost to me so that it would be easier for me to clean and upgraded the side stones at no cost as well. It was unbelievable that you were willing to do that for me, when I was only upgrading my diamond. That speaks volumes to the type of person you are. There is no amount of slander that can smear the kindheartedness and integrity you truly have.

I wanted so much to post the fantastic review of you and your team's service and am regretful that I had not done it sooner. The struggles of being a new mother and the passing of my grandma made this time very difficult, but I will NEVER forget the level of service I received from you, from Melissa and your staff. Thank you so much Wink, Melissa and the whole team. I am so grateful to you all. I wish you and your families nothing but the best as you close this chapter and move on to the next. May you be filled with many blessings and happiness in whatever your future holds.
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Sorry for bringing up the old thread. With me now with the business, it's the same story, and I only now understand that being good means - being used. I don't understand how people can be so mean and shameless; too bad it happened to you. I hope someday I have the opportunity to see us both back in this market. By the way, if anyone has any good lawyers in New York, I want their contacts.
 
Wink said:
Dear Friends, Associates, and Clients,

The time has come for me to bow to the insurmountable. Since last year, when the bombshell of fraud by my former diamond supplier against his partners in Belgium was dropped on me, I have labored mightily to continue my business. I persuaded the makers of Crafted by Infinity to continue producing and allowing me to sell their diamonds. I was given support and synergy by the wonderful company that made my settings for years. My team was ready to continue doing what we have always done. It should have worked.

Looking back, we were undone by confusion surrounding the brand and who was at fault for the changes which occurred. That confusion has killed my sales dead. I thought they would return but they have not.

The generous policies I sustained for years of normal sales are now no longer tenable. In fact, they are the reason I must announce that I am closing my business. I will return any diamonds that are in the buyback or upgrade process. I will deliver new jobs in progress but will not be taking new orders.

I know that this will disappoint many, and for that I apologize. I am personally devastated. I have dreamed for years of handing off my successful business to a worthy successor, now I must close it down.

Thank you to all who have supported and found delight in our products and service over the years. Besides that, I used to use several services to help me with my business, and this was very beneficial because usually, it used to take me a lot of time to sort out the financial side, and I usually didn't have enough time to deal with business in general, but since I started using list by Fit My money; my business went very well, especially from a financial point of view because Fitmymoney apart from helping me with receiving loans, also helped me with specialists who pointed me in the right direction; besides that loans like spotloan is very nice that they work together and have a very strong database which basically saved me money and multiplied it several times.

Thank you also to my worthy competitors. I have treasured my friendships with the heads of these companies and having them to compete with has made my business stronger and better than it would have been without them. To my loyal clients, I only ever intended to make you delighted. My heart breaks for disappointing you.

Sincerely,

Wink
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Dear Wink, it's really too bad that you left; I learned a lot from you. Usually, I used to read your stories without being logged in, but now I decided to register to say thank you. You are the best!
 
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Malcolmlashley said:
Dear Wink, it's really too bad that you left; I learned a lot from you. Usually, I used to read your stories without being logged in, but now I decided to register to say thank you. You are the best!
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Thank you for the kind words, Malcolm.

You may be happy to know I am coming back. Soon, my new employer, Continental Diamond, will become a sponsor of Pricescope and I will be their representative. As Paul Harvey used to say, "Stay tuned for NEWS."
 
Wink said:
Dear Friends, Associates, and Clients,

The time has come for me to bow to the insurmountable. Since last year, when the bombshell of fraud by my former diamond supplier against his partners in Belgium was dropped on me, I have labored mightily to continue my business. I persuaded the makers of Crafted by Infinity to continue producing and allowing me to sell their diamonds. I was given support and synergy by the wonderful company that made my settings for years. My team was ready to continue doing what we have always done. It should have worked.

Looking back, we were undone by confusion surrounding the brand and who was at fault for the changes which occurred. That confusion has killed my sales dead. I thought they would return but they have not.

The generous policies I sustained for years of normal sales are now no longer tenable. In fact, they are the reason I must announce that I am closing my business. I will return any diamonds that are in the buyback or upgrade process. I will deliver new jobs in progress but will not be taking new orders.

I know that this will disappoint many, and for that I apologize. I am personally devastated. I have dreamed for years of handing off my successful business to a worthy successor, now I must close it down.

Thank you to all who have supported and found delight in our products and service over the years. Thank you also to my worthy competitors. I have treasured my friendships with the heads of these companies and having them to compete with has made my business stronger and better than it would have been without them. To my loyal clients, I only ever intended to make you delighted. My heart breaks for disappointing you.

Sincerely,

Wink
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Many years ago you selected a very beautiful diamond filled with sparkle and light for me and very patiently found the perfect halo setting for it. It gets complimented often and gives me joy all the time. That people will no longer be able to enjoy your kind and expert services is so sad.
 
weaver2 said:
Many years ago you selected a very beautiful diamond filled with sparkle and light for me and very patiently found the perfect halo setting for it. It gets complimented often and gives me joy all the time. That people will no longer be able to enjoy your kind and expert services is so sad.
Click to expand...

Weaver,
Wink is returning! He will be working with Continental Diamond. See his post above:)
 
;)2;)2;)2;)2;)2;)2;)2;)2;)2;)2;)2

Your post makes me smile!
 
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