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Do You Belong to a Buying Group? 64% of Surveyed Jewelers Say No

do you or don't you: Those that do rave about the friendships, discounts and other benefits.

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Yes: 36%

  • Best decision ever. Like-minded people that are not competing in the same market have helped me grow into a multimillion dollar store. Rebates and other discounts are a bonus. It’s the people that make it worth it! — Amanda L., Steinbach, MB
  • IJO, they are FAMILY. From the round table discussions to the one-on-one relationships with vendors. Then the transparency on costs, shipping, inventory balancing, trunk shows, education and travel benefits. Every element of IJO is for the benefit of its members. The professional networking and business reviews alone have vastly improved my bottom line. An extremely well run, family oriented, make your business better group. I love IJO. — Denise O., La Grange, IL
  • RJO — my business would not be anywhere near what it is today without RJO, by far the BEST buying group. There is a reason we call ourselves one big family. CO-OP owned by the members so what’s left at the end of the year is rebated back to the members. — Tom N., Spencer, IA
  • RJO. There are many benefits, but the discounts are worth it alone! — Debbie F. Ventura, CA
  • I learn so much from my fellow members. Everyone has different ways of doing things, and my fellow members open my eyes to all the cool ways to be successful. I also love all the great continuing education that is offered. I love seeing all of my key vendors in one place over a three-day period. — Dan L., Concord, NC
  • CBG. JCK is too big and I cannot figure a way to navigate it effectively. — Alexander R., Brockton, MA
  • I belong to IJO. When I joined, I was not sure if it would be beneficial, but after being a member for several years, I have found real value there. It is not that you always save money or get a better deal, but the education I have received through the group has been priceless. I have made lifelong friends that are always happy to share insight and offer help. Every show has a lot of opportunities to learn from the speakers they bring in, but most of all, the networking with other jewelers from around the country sharing ideas really helps grow a business. — Eric S., West Springfield, MA
  • We belong to two groups and it has been very beneficial to keep abreast of changes, innovations, and the jewelry business in general through the sharing that goes on there. — Joe T., Lubbock, TX
  • As a small operation, the knowledge, friendships and vendor relationships have invaluable. — H. Brandt Jewelers, Natick, MA
  • RJO. I would be crazy not to be in this group. I get a dividend check twice a year and three free nights at a very nice hotel at each show I attend. That’s a win-win! — Gregory F., Washington, NJ

No: 64%

  • I keep my cards close to my vest. — James D., Kingston, NH
  • Never found it useful. — Shell M., Oak Park, MI
  • Requirements for buying go against custom work. — Laura P., St. Robert, MO
  • I like to pay my own vendors. It bothers me to have a third-party controller. — Sherrie S., Tigard, OR
  • I used to belong; they fired me as a customer. — Laurie L., Elisa Ilana Jewelry, Omaha, NE
  • I enjoy being a rebel. Buying groups tend to homogenize their members. — Lee K., Cincinnati, OH
  • We belong to a Plexus Performance Group and get the benefit of seeing vendor production. We are a branded store and most brands are not in CBJ or RJO or other buying groups. — Tom D., Warren, OH

What’s the Brain Squad?

If you’re the owner or top manager of a U.S. jewelry store, you’re invited to join the INSTORE Brain Squad. By taking one five-minute quiz a month, you can get a free t-shirt, be featured prominently in this magazine, and make your voice heard on key issues affecting the jewelry industry. Good deal, right? Sign up here.

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