IJO Versus RJO

Ummmm, sad to see this blog get spammed so much...needs a clean out.

I belonged to IJO for 19 years and they are a good organization. But I switched to RJO a couple of years ago and I am much happier. They have similar conventions and education. The number one thing is RJO is a Non-profit which means more to ME. Monies paid back to me on an annual bases have be 3 times more than ijo. Clear choice.

The RJO has also a free service www.jewelconnect.com allowing consumers to find RJO stores
It can also be used as the stores online catalog at www.jewelconnect.com/storephonenumber

The RJO has a very nice added benefit for all retail members free of charge at www.jewelconnect.com - allowing the consumer to find every RJO retailer his/her area.
It can also be used as your "own" site at www.jewelconnect.com/storephonenumber

Shanu - I have been an IJO member for 10 years. I don’t know much about RJO because I am not a member. However, I will answer your questions about IJO to the best of my ability.
1. The discounts from vendors are Good. Most IJO vendors give a 1% - 10% discount depending on the merchandise category.
2. IJO has approximately 175 vendors from every aspect of the jewelry industry.
3. Yes, IJO has drastically increased our profits. IJO has a set of proven strategies and tools that they provide to each member. The tragedy for most jewelers is they don’t use even a 10th of these tools. They sit back and say “Well that will never work in my store” and then complain how awful business has become.
4. You don’t have to attend every IJO show. However, that is where the real magic of IJO happens. “Team clinics” are IJO’s round table discussions between non-competitive stores. I have found IJO jewelers to be some of the friendliest, business savvy, forward thinking, progressive jewelers in our industry, willing to freely share their ideas, strategies and insight into what makes them successful. The IJO discussion channel (INDY) is hands down the greatest exchange of ideas the jewelry industry has ever seen. It is a 24/7 “Team Clinic”. It is just one of the many benefits IJO provides to its members.
5. I can say, without a doubt, that joining IJO was the best business decision I have ever made. I would be lost without the direction and guidance IJO has provided me.
6. I think that both organizations have a lot to offer their members. Just because I don’t know much about RJO, my vote would be for IJO. IJO has allowed me to grow and prosper as an individual and a business.
Being a younger jeweler (I’m 34) IJO has given me support and encouragement over the last 10 years. I have learned from others much wiser than I how to overcome obstacles and make my business successful. The benefits I have received from IJO are 10 fold to what I pay in dues and the friendships are priceless.

Intrigued, I was told the same things but I put pen to paper and in 4 months in RJO I got back more than a whole year in IJO. ALSO Don't forget that in order to get your dividends from IJO you have to attend every show or you dont get your check. RJO mails it to you every year and you dont have to attend every show to get the money you earned..

In response to "Intrigued" while both groups give back to their membership, you must keep in mind that RJO is a co-operative. In other words, it is owned by it's members. At the end of the year, any profits that the company makes are returned to the membership in the form of a check, and that is in addition to whatever vendor discounts you have already received.

I belonged to IJO for a few years and then swithed to RJO and found a friendlier group of jewelers to talk of each others successes and also failures with. I found the rebate checks at the end of the year a great addition. Alot of the vendors are selling to both groups, but i think the vendors with RJO will recieve there monies even if the jeweler goes under. Vendors will give terms of up to 6 months with the RJO groups, giving us jewelers alot of leeway when purchasing inventory year round. RJO is a better mix for a smaller midwest jeweler like myself.

In response to: "While IJO is owned by a person or persons and they make money on the members."
So, are you saying RJO is a nonprofit organization? Does each jeweler in RJO represent a physical stake in the company? I'm very curious now.
I ask this because I heard from a fellow jeweler that IJO gives much more back, just not in the form of a check at the end of the year.
Someone please explain, as I am interested in joining one of these fine organizations.

Shanu,
Interesting question, IJO vs RJO.
I'm sure you'll find positives for both organizations. With that being said, we're almost 30 year members of IJO and feel like this group is family.
IJO has helped me and my business grow to a level I wouldn't have thought possible in our small community. The information, education, networking, idea's and friendships I've gained from belonging to this group has helped more than I can put into words.

I belong to both groups. They are tools that I use to make my business better.
I like the discounts and rebates that I get through RJO, but IJO feels like home.
The semi annual shows are jam packed with seminars and round table discussions, as well as time spent with the great friends we've made there.
INDY, our discussion channel for members and vendors, is the largest free exchange of honest information that I've ever been associated with.
The numerous programs and benifits, are a big part of my sucess today, and joining IJO was the best business decision I have made.
I know I sound like a cheerleader, but when something affects you business and your life as much as this has, you become a big fan.

We think the best thing about IJO is how it inspires, motivates and supports those who want to grow their bussinesses. We love the IJO vendors who offer great discounts, terms, trunkshows, advice, advertising, stock balancing and exclusive IJO merchandise & programs to help you sell, sell, sell. Our seminars & team clinics are amazing in the amount of information we take home, we've filled many notebooks at IJO with ideas that have helped us grow. Some of our closest friends are IJO members. We've helped each other out countless times. I don't know much about RJO, it may well be a good group, but I do know that since we've been in IJO we've increased our volume by millions of dollars and had so much fun doing it. Who needs more than that?

I was a member of IJO for 21 years, now I am a member of RJO and I am very happy with the change. As my colleagues have stated, both groups offer their members discounts, however, I agree that RJO offers its members more since it is a co-op. I am not in a buying group solely for the buying aspects, I joined in order to exchange information with other jewelers and manufacturers. In RJO we have a chat channel where you can exchange information and ideas 24/7. RJO also has excellent speakers and seminars at their buying shows as well as peer to peer "think tanks" where non-competitive jewelers are willing to share marketing and advertising ideas, as well as store management strategies. In all, the RJO experience has been wonderful, and I don't mind getting those extra dollars at the end of the year.

Are any of you a part of both? We have been a member of both, currently we are only in RJO. We chose not to renew our IJO membership as we had differences in opinion on how the group was run.
1. Are the discounts substantial? YES. The discounts vary from vendor to vendor. Some vendors give 1-2% and some give as much as 9-10%. Plus the 4+% dividend check we receive on ALL purchases made through RJO.
2. I tried searching for which vendors/manufacturers are a part of either organization but no luck. Can you shed some light on what type of vendors are a part of both? Everything from diamonds/colored stone/pearls to watches/fashion accessories and supplies, to services like Insurace/CC processing.
3. Can a buying group drastically increase your profits? NO not really, only you can do that. The groups can help show you the way but ultimately success or failure is on your shoulders. You have to change unprofitable behavior to see drastic increases in profit.
4. Are retailers willing to talk about their businesses openly? Some are more open than others. Most are very open face to face but less open to discussing business practices in cyberspace as they are afraid their competition will see what they are saying. I am very open, because I feel like the more I give the more I am going to receive. Information is power.
5. Have either RJO or IJO help you to become savvier in your businesses? The buying groups put me in touch with better vendors and retailers alike who have shared information that have helped make us much more profitable.
6.Why IJO over RJO? Is one better? For my store RJO was a much better fit. The rewards structure is much more fair, not to mention much more lucrative. I also like the fact that no one person is controlling everything, we have an elected board of directors and not an appointed one.

RJO is a cooperative and IJO is a proprietorship. What that means is; RJO is owned by its members. While IJO is owned by a person or persons and they make money on the members. The money left over in RJO goes back to its members, IJO it goes to the owner of IJO. Now, that’s not saying RJO is perfect by any means, but I really think it’s the best bang for the member’s (jeweler’s) buck. Can there be some things that are better than the other, yes. The show locations IJO goes to are nicer, fancier, but I’m not looking for a vacation. I am there to learn and buy. Did I mention about my dividends checks I get every year? $$$ in my company’s pocket!
RJO will only accept the best or highest credited jewelers. RJO guarantees payments to the vendors, which makes RJO so appetizing for the vendors, no worries. That said RJO has to have only the best jewelers.

I can comment on a one sided level. We are extremely proud and happy members of the IJO family. All discounts add up to be substantial. Many vendors that we used prior are part of IJO so we retain that relationship and meet many more wonderful suppliers. Profits can increase because of the discount and because of the IJO exclusive pieces available (no discounting, no competition). The seminars are educational and motivating. The best of the best speakers! It is a territorial membership ~ so everyone is free with thoughts and information. So many great concepts are put on the table without trepidation! We have a huge network to help in any way possible. Marketing tools, education, friendship and support. We have message boards to find merchandise, ask for help with designers, education, and much more. I know some of our suppliers belong to both organizations and I'm sure that both offer their members many benefits. We, however, love our amazing IJO family and will continue on.