by guest blogger, D-D Flannery
Many of you who read this blog regularly know Dave's, the author, style - he is all about educating people so that they can
make an informed decision. I am sure that you have already picked up on that fact after reading his blog a few times. So did someone else... an editor of Consumer Reports Magazine.
Dave was approached by Tod Marks, senior editor of the magazine, who was putting together an article on buying jewelry and recognized that buying jewelry is indeed a "tricky buy." You can read Mr. Marks' article that will appear in the June issue of the magazine by clicking here.
Dave is mentioned in Consumer Reports where he suggests to avoid buying hugely discounted jewelry that is often presented by chain stores, some independents and the so called "wholesale" jewelers.
Even thought the article has some useful facts, I am disappointed that it did not go in further detail about discounted jewelry prices. It leaves the reader wondering whether or not to avoid jewelry sales all together, and / or avoid buying jewelry from big chain stores, or both. So let me try to clarify things a bit.
Chain stores are known for pricing jewelry at a premium so that they can promote big price slashing sales. In reality they are offering the items close to fair market value - basically "tricking" the customers into believing that they are getting a great deal and they end up paying more than they realize. The discounted prices are sometimes tempting, however, it often ends up being to good to be true. The huge discounts are often on items of poor quality. This doesn't mean that you can't ever buy jewelry on sale, but shy away from the really BIG sales by the really BIG stores, and ANY claim huge savings should be viewed with suspicion.
The Internet is another shopping outlet that we need to maneuver carefully through, and the article touches on this briefly. Point blank - You don't know what you are getting! And you could end up with a nightmare on your hands if you go to return or exchange it.
Clearly, this is an industry where "you get what you pay for." Jewelry is not an item that you shop for the deal.
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