Smart Jewellery Shopping - Simple tips for buying jewellery online.
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| Are you confused with the many jewellery choices available online? You're not alone. |
When comparing jewellery online it is very obvious that similar products are priced very differently by different stores. Why? The reasons are very simple.
Jewellery stores represent all different types of businesses. For example, at the top level are producers, suppliers and manufacturers of jewellery. On the other end are businesses (usually individuals) who engage third parties to do all, if not, most of the jewellery making and related services. This is singularly the biggest factor in jewellery prices.
Successful and top level online jewellery stores, with high sales volume, can and do charge much less. This is simply economies of scale - the more successful or popular the store, the more they sell, the less they have to charge for each piece. Think deli price v department store price.
So, what do you need to keep in mind when shopping for jewellery online? Here are the two simple steps to make sure you always get the best jewellery at the best price.
TIP #1: FIND A TOP LEVEL JEWELLER
Look for professional, long established businesses with obvious signs of success. Here's how to do this quickly and easily:- Look at Their Website. A professional website with trusted ecommerce facilities is number one. Resellers and middle men usually have blog based stores, Facebook only stores and unprofessional looking websites.
- Look Carefully At What They Actually Do. Do they create their finished jewellery or does a third party do it? Keys to spotting this are references to their 'suppliers', always offering to 'get it in for you', lack of exclusive products and products that are more expensive than elsewhere. Also, if they offer additional jewellery services, such as engraving etc, do they do it themselves or do they again contract a third party and therefore have to charge more? Do they take your jewellery requests to another 'jeweller', ie a 'real' jeweller? (This one is a big giveaway and a real red flag.) You will easily be able to spot these things once you know to keep these questions in mind when looking at the jewellery store. If a jeweller can't do something for you they will direct you to another jeweller who can.
- Look at How Quickly They Can Dispatch Your Order. Can they ship immediately or within a day or two? Top level jewellers will always be able to do this because they aren't 'buying it in' for you AFTER you've paid for it. It's a sure sign that you're buying from a top level jeweller if they have it on their shelves.
- Look For Open and Honest Pricing. The price should be obvious for you to see. If pricing information is withheld or delayed it is usually because they have to contact the actual maker of the jewellery.
- Look For a Good Returns Policy. This is a mark of a business with quality products and professional customer service.
So, now you know how to easily find them online ...
TIP #2: GO DIRECT!
You don't need a 'go between' for you and a 'real' jeweller. With a little searching around you can always find the top level businesses to go to by following the steps above.Top level jewellery stores will almost always offer the best prices because they don't pass your jewellery requirements on to someone else and then add money for themselves on top of it. It's that simple!
Happy jewellery shopping!