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Tuesday, February 18th
Buying a new piece of jewelry isn't usually something you do on a whim. Jewelry is expensive, so it makes sense that you would spend some time looking for the right vendor from which to make a purchase. Knowing what you should look for in a jewelry store will help you to pick a reputable vendor that won't rip you off and will take their time in assisting you.
Reputation and Reviews
One of the biggest things you need to look for is its reputation. Can you find information about it easily? Do they have a website that's easy to navigate with clear "About" information? Can you easily find out how long they've been in operation? This is important and adds legitimacy to a business.
Are there professional reviews of the jewelry store online? Have people had a generally pleasant experience? Remember that some unscrupulous companies pay people to write positive reviews for them. It's a much better idea to purchase from a jewelry store that has well-written, independent reviews. Also, take into consideration the experience of other people that you know. A negative review from someone you know is likely to carry a significant amount of weight.
Qualifications
Another thing you should look for in a jewelry store is their qualifications and credentials. Is the staff GIA certified? The store should be a member of AGS and should have a good reputation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This information should be displayed prominently or be readily available.
Customer Service
When you actually go to the store, you can make further assessments before you put any of your money on the line. Is the staff helpful to you? If it's an online jewelry store, is the customer service area helpful? Or are they constantly trying to push specials or upsell you? If you mention you're just looking around, do they disappear or do they still offer to help you? You want a store that will assist you and be courteous, even if you're not going to spend a penny that day.
Pricing and Turnaround Time
Examine the pricing of the jewelry they have available. How does it compare to other stores out there? Is it comparable or ridiculously out of range? You're always going to pay for quality when you come across it, but that's no reason to be gouged, either. Do your research for average costs of the piece of jewelry you want to buy and see how the store measures up.
Another thing you want to look into is turnaround time. Will they get you your piece of jewelry to you in the time frame they promise? This can be hard to tell when just going into the store, so be sure to seek out this information from reviews as much as you can. Carefully review their return/exchange policies as well and any diamonds you buy should come with a certificate.
Now that you know what you should look for in a jewelry store, you can head out onto the marketplace a more informed consumer who won't be taken advantage of. Good luck with your next jewelry purchase!
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