Yes, I Do
➤ Along with special events outside our store we provide known customers with a Professional Concierge Jewelry Service. When we leave our store for a private appointment or a special event we scan all jewelry and stones through the Edge as an “on approval” ticket before leaving. This ensures that what leaves our store returns to our store. — Rita Wade, Wade Designs Jewelry, Rocky Mount, NC
➤ I do a lot of home visits to see the customers’ clothing items, and that allows me to custom create items for one outfit or for many changes of garments. It’s super fun! — Pamela Hecht, Pamations, Calumet, MI
➤ We do it occasionally for customers who have trouble getting to us. Little risk, as it’s with customers we’ve known forever. — Bill Elliott, Ross Elliott Jewelers, Terre Haute, IN
➤ I make home and hospital/nursing home visits to cut rings off people. It is a great service and a chance to show love and compassion for a customer or their spouse. — Elizabeth Breon, Coast Jewelers, Florence, OR
➤ For the very wealthy, it is something they seem to appreciate. — Don Bullock, Bullock’s Jewelry, Roswell, NM
➤ Many years ago I had several customers that wanted this level of service. As these special customers died off, we stopped offering the service — very time-consuming with small return. — Don Delano, JL Jewelers, Tampa, FL
➤ I went to the county jail to sell an engagement ring once, and not to a deputy. — David Mann Cyrkin, David Mann Jewelers, Geneseo, NY
➤ I sometimes go to the farmers’ fields during harvest in those unique situations where they have “dropped the ball” and are interested in something very special. These trips are always a very good sale, worth the trip. — Bill Longnecker, Longnecker Jewelry, McCook, NE
No, I Don’t
➤ I feel it’s too much of a risk. But this is an intriguing idea maybe with something like Endless Jewelry. — Jane Johnson, RM Johnson & Sons, Salem, VA
➤ The security risk aside, we are too busy in the store. — John Przeclawski, Jewelry Plus, Winter Park, FL
➤ No, but we do meet clients at cafes to deliver product or talk about custom. The low-pressure atmosphere builds stronger connections. — Deric Metzger, DeMer Jewelry, Oceanside, CA
➤ We used to. Times change, payment verification changed, and we did away with home shows. Now we do private shows in the store with a verified guest list. — Denise Oros, Linnea Jewelers, La Grange, IL
This article originally appeared in the January 2016 edition of INSTORE.