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Shanu Singh Guliani

Designers and Diamond Dealers that Sell to You and the Public
May 2, 2007

One of my staff members at our FL store was out and about last Friday and saw one of our diamond dealers sitting behind the counter in a store in Hollywood, FL. At first, I didn’t think much of it, because I invite many of my diamond dealers into my office for their safety and security, though this was not the case.

The two brothers, who are one of my many diamond dealers, also own their own retail store where they sell loose diamonds to the public. But, how can this be?

They never told me that owned a retail store, and that their retail store is only about 30minutes from my store in Pembroke Pines, FL

Not only diamond dealers, but also manufacturing companies that you see at JCK have their own retail store. For example, Michael B., whose diamond settings I love also has their own retail store. His wife is amazing and I’m sure they do pretty well in their LA boutique…but how does this affect the store down the street that is carrying their line too? One of the most extreme cases of this is Louis Vuitton’s partnership with DeBeers.

Have you encountered manufacturers or diamond dealers that are selling to you and to the public? How do you handle a situation like this? Do you stop purchasing from that vendor if you are in close proximity of their retail store? Do you carry the line anyway because the designer does a lot of marketing and in the end, it might help not hurt you? Or do you at all costs choose to avoid companies that are selling to you and to the public?

Posted by Shanu Singh Guliani on May 2, 2007 | Comments (4)

May 7, 2007
In response to: Designers and Diamond Dealers that Sell to You and the Public
Casa de Oro Jewelers commented:

I avoid any dealer that sells directly to the public

May 8, 2007
In response to: Designers and Diamond Dealers that Sell to You and the Public
doug manning commented:

Shanu, It's a no brainer! they would be history! regardless of explanation. Can you imagine them bragging to customers ? They probably close their sales by showing clients invoices of sales made to jewelers just like yourselves ! It's not just jewelers ruining our image but some of our suppliers are equally as guilty !!

May 9, 2007
In response to: Designers and Diamond Dealers that Sell to You and the Public
Linda Stewart commented:

I would let the dealer know you will no longer call or use them as a source, with an explanation of why. I would no longer feel the trust I had with the dealer since they never disclosed they were also in the retail market. I have the habit of asking dealers who else they do business with in my area and avoid my own competition.

May 14, 2007
In response to: Designers and Diamond Dealers that Sell to You and the Public
Hedda Schupak commented:

In the case of a well-known designer opening a branded store, rejoice! It's been proven time and again across a broad spectra of product categories that when a company store opens in any given locale, other retailers' sales of that brand go up, not down. Yes, that's right--if you're, say, a Yurman dealer or a Judith Ripka dealer, and a Yurman or Ripka store opens in your area, it's highly likely you'll sell more of it than you did before. The reason is that the company's branded stores a) reinforce the brand image as well as, if not better than, any advertising; b) rarely, if ever, discount off full retail; and c) create desire for that brand that drives shoppers to not only their own store but other local stores that sell it. In the case of a no-name supplier of an unbranded product who's undercutting you and not being upfront or honest with you, then I'd agree you don't want to do business with him or her.