Ah, Jeez

[gem_handler]

I just finished reading a 67-post thread about the trouble some bench jewelers are having with the Zales corporation. It boils down to, if you do the trade work for them (at wholesale cost), they expect you to charge what they have invoiced, even if they invoice it wrong, and you're supposed to throw in freebies to make their stuff look good that

Comments

[zauzau]

I, on the other hand, am one of those hacks that cuts hair without a certification! But then, I'm also un-certifiably nuts. I'll pass the boycott list on to people I know who can actually afford to shop at such places.

[gem_handler]

I should have clarified: You need a certification to charge to cut hair in Texas.

[rowangolightly]

I was burned by Zales years ago and have warned people away from the ever since.

Horrid corporation; doesn't surprise me one bit.

[magpieweaver]

I'll pass it on. Artist should support each other.

[vikingcoder]

God, I sound like a socialist."

Nah... What you are encouraging is the basis of free-market thinking - consumer retribution instead of government intervention.

[tagancalera]

Precisely. The exact opposite of socialism.

[roman_kard]

Who would you recommend to go to, fro your diamond needs

[gem_handler]

Me, of course!

No, seriously, I've got access to a bunch of suppliers, I can do most of my own work, and most of what I don't do is because it's just not time/cost effective for me to do myself. Some stuff I don't have equipment for, and if that's what you need, I know people with the equipment.

The short answer is, never buy a diamond you haven't seen, no matter how good the paperwork. If you ever order something online, make sure there's a 100% return policy (including restocking fees, all you should have to pay is shipping and insurance back if you don't want it).