Behind The Counter   

I actually saw a lot of movement. Today, it felt like there was a jewelry convention going on. Downstairs, in the main area vendors had retailers around their entire booths; though, at the very back of the showroom—I couldn’t help to notice a ton of empty booths. I realized if there was a year to get a great spot upstairs—this was the year to do it. Many of my vendors were able to secure a spot upstairs—I hope it worked out well for them. I had the chance to speak to some of the vendors. Many felt the same as all of us—times are tough and they weren’t worried about selling but instead collecting. Then there were a few (specifically non-branded bridal retailers) who said they were doing extremely well. They told me their retailers needed an assortment of rings that filled price points because they knew even in this ec...Read More

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I felt the show floor was very slow and I think I saw more exhibitors than retailers. As I walked around the aisles I noticed many of the sterling exhibitors seemed to have retailers sitting and picking out large quantity of pieces—price points of course or they’re thinking like me and wanting to bring in new people (ones whom might want to spend less now) during the grueling summer months.

As I walked down the aisles I didn’t see anything new or different—I’m sure Jennifer Heebner probably did and will post those pictures. I did, however see, pave rings, hearts, and pendants—ones like in the late 80’s but these were white gold and not yellow. Some pendants depicted interesting shapes and the pave rings were wide and concave like&mda...Read More

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To be able to book a Couture appointment two weeks before the show is astonishing to me. I did not know the number of days I would be attending the shows; so of course, I waited until the last minute to make some appointments. The show was terribly slow but it was only the second day in.

My first appointment was 10am this morning with Scott Kay. Surprisingly enough he did have some new bridal pieces—because of the way things are going I figured not many vendors would be showcasing new merchandise. He also introduced a new sterling line/designed pieces called “Faith.” In addition, while pursuing the cases I saw men’s black titanium rings which looked extremely similar to the ones I have by ...Read More

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I’m sitting on the plane and as I type this…I can’t help to look around at who I think is going to the show and who’s not. As I watch men and women walk down the airplane aisle I notice some very nice pieces. Expensive taste (I think to myself while in gym pants and an old t-shirt and sweatshirt) wondering if they own a store or are buyers or just haven’t seen them shop at my store and wondering if I should slip them a card.

The plane is in the air and I am free to use my much-loved laptop. In the row in front of me there happens to be a man and his wife armed with inventory (best seller sheets). I see the pictures of the jewelry, prices and so forth. He is also thumbing through some direct mail pieces. First off, I wouldn’t be caught de...Read More

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This is the first time I have ever been to Vegas and my Couture, Luxury, and Premiere vendors have more than a few open slots for appointments. Are things really still not picking up? Guliani’s definitely so strong May sales—of course, I wished for more but have to thank god we moved a few larger pieces. Am I terribly worried about the summer—yes? I don’t think we’ve seen the worst of it yet and I am holding on tight and hoping we (meaning our industry) doesn’t see anymore businesses close this June, July, or August. I hope our repair business will exceed my expectations and people will want to put money into fixing their items if their not going to purchase.

So—even with what’s going on…I’m not missing Vegas. Thi...Read More

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After visiting the jewelry store who gives away repairs—I started to reconsider our repair policy as well as which repairs should be warranted for life and which should be charged for.

First…the policy:

Guliani’s policy warranties repairs up to 30 days. If there is a fault in our workmanship, a customer is dissatisfied with the work, or something goes awry after the repair we will redo the work, replace a stone, etc up to 30 days. The reason we do not warranty repairs more than thirty days is because the piece has been worn, used, and loved and we can only warranty the work we have performed.

Second…the free part of the policy i...Read More

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I visited a jewelry store a whole lot of people talk about. People (vendors and neighboring stores) say this jewelry store sells approximately $20-30 million a year. The store isn’t a huge store—but prides itself on being a diamond importer selling wholesale to the public. The store carries high-end brands such as A. Jafffe, Simon G., Scott Kay, Christopher Designs and a few others. The store’s motto is not to let anyone walk out of the store without a purchase in hand.

I’m standing in the store just making chit-chat with a salesperson and asked how much it was to rhodium my ring (mind you I ...Read More

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A diamond vendor whom I’ve been doing business with for the past 2 years or so said his company has changed it’s policy and is requiring all retailers whom carry large quantities of diamonds on memo to sign a Consignment and Security Agreement. They are calling it a UCC form (Uniform Commercial Code).

Of course, I asked why enforce this policy. They started this when a retailer took much of their merchandise on memo, declared bankruptcy, and apparently the memo didn’t hold much weight and the company lost much of its merchandise.

I read the agreement backwards and forwards and it basically allows the diamond dealer every chance to take you to court if you lose the mercha...Read More

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Scott Kay has announced the company will launch a flagship store, but unlike most such shops under a "flagship" banner, this one will not be opened to the public, National Jeweler.

From the article by National Jeweler Scott Kay say’s the flagship will be a museum of sorts and attendees will be invited.

Does anyone out there have more info? Will this flagship sell products as well? If so, ...Read More

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I was listening to the radio the other day and heard this:

(In a man’s voice) “Don’t buy from Apple’s Fine Jewelry (hope no one out there has a store name Apple’s). We won’t let you buy now. We won’t even try and sell you now.”

The commercial goes on about a man gripping about how he wanted to buy his wife a gift but the store wouldn’t sell him anything and how he had to wait until next Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

This commercial was totally opposite from what I tell my employees. We hold two sales a year and I tell my employees to start pre-selling the Friday befo...Read More

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Okay—guy’s here’s how it happened:

Two months ago a customer purchased an item that retailed for around $3,000 (machine has a floor limit of $3500). He was my neighbor so I gave him the piece without running the check through the machine. He asked if I could please wait to deposit the check two days later. I deposited the check on the day he asked and the funds were immediately placed into my account. Four days later the funds were removed from my account (I was viewing this online). I called the bank to inquire why?

Bank’s answer (Wachovia): The funds will be placed in your account right away BUT until the money has been collected from the consumer’s bank the funds ca...Read More

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When I’m at the grocery store and I hear 3 for 1…I’m thinking—“Oh yeah, my strawberries are buy three for the price of one with my VIC card (very important customer card).” I kind of get excited. When I’m buying tees for the summer and it says 2 for 1—same thing I know not only am I getting one crappy tee but I’m getting two for the price of one.

In the jewelry industry it’s never 3 for 1 or 2 for 1 it’s 3 to 1 OR 2 to 1. My Simon G is 3 to 1 and Scott Kay 2 to 1. Yes—this means for me to exchange one Simon G ring I have to buy 3 more pieces.

To my point…I have rings fro...Read More

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