When Jewelers Bash Each Other
We know jewelers like to badmouth the competition. I’d heard it was possible to get sued over, but never heard of an actual case until this one.
Here’s the sequence of events:
- Roger Clemens was going to buy a $750,000 (oval, purplish-pink, 2.5-carat) ring from Michael Ansen.
- Clemens talks to dealer Charles Krypell, who says Ansen is "gouging" him.
- Clemens cancels the sale, buys from Krypell.
- Ansen sues Krypell for $5.1 million for defamation. ($5 million, for not even a million dollar sale?! You gotta love lawyers!)
Now, a court will have to decide who’s telling the truth here. But this is today’s public service announcement: Jewelers should watch what they say about the competition, because they may have to defend those comments in court.
And for a larger point: What does all this bashing do to consumer confidence and the overall perception of the industry?
Linda Rockman commented:
Bad mouthing a jewlers gems is not the way to go. They are only
making them look small and unprofessional, which we should question
their products and ethics.
Reuben Tom Kee commented:
Right on! Competition is healthy and should be conducted in a
healthy not filthy manner! And jewelers should not shy away from
saying hello to each other at social events...unless of course one
is feeling guilty of badmouthin!!
Jennifer Heebner commented:
Amen to "do unto others." People are not nice to each other.
Mall Jewelry Boy commented:
I've said it before and I'll say it again: People need to be NICER!
Stop dragging other jewelry retailers into the mud, whether it's
Blue Nile, Zales, or Jared. You're only making yourself look petty.
True competition is proving that you're better, not trying to knock
the big players off their pedestal. When was the last time you saw
Tiffany compare their prices to anyone else? And Rob's "larger
point" is right on target. Jewelry retailers have a horrible
reputation over price, quality, and service. If you tell a customer
"Zales has bad quality, mine is better and costs less!", they might
not believe you. If you SHOW a customer how your quality is better,
and instead can say, with confidence: "Zales has beautiful
diamonds, but look at this diamond. I'm very selective about my
diamonds, but this one just took my breath away!" Do unto
others...right?
