[componentheading]Yes, I Do[/componentheading]

Weddings only. Not as successful as it once was because of all the big-box store tableware etc. — Janice L. Knight; Zeke’s Jewellers, North Battleford, SK, Canada

We have been fortunate to have a good community base. We help keep track of the events in our customers’ lives. We have a good working base to let other customers know that their friends are expecting a baby or a special birthday or anniversary. This has helped promote our gift registry, and it keeps our customers in touch. — Scott Kelly; Jems Jewels & Gold, North Wales, PA

It’s not a huge service for us, but it’s there if someone requests. — Chera & Josh Stevenson; James’ Jewel Box, Mt. Washington, KY

It works very well for us. Still do the bridal registry and a few times birth registry. We’re in a very traditional town. — Ray DuBose; R.S. Mann Jr. Jeweler, Newman, GA

It has worked very well if we can get the customer to take some time and register. — Cathy Grad; Caffray Jewelers, Hinsdale, IL

Not working well; most people want to register with the big guys. — Jim Ellis; Ellis Jewelers, Frankfort, IN

We’re a traditional Southern jeweler. We currently have 30 registered brides out on display. Bridal is very important for our store. It creates sales and generates
lots of traffic through the door, which leads to opportunities to sell jewelry to bridal gift purchasers. — Roger Butler; Butler Truax, Selma, AL

 
[componentheading]No, I Don’t[/componentheading]

Most people only register at big box stores (like Macy’s, Target, etc.). — Jennifer Choi; Rose Diamonds Custom Design & Repair, Springfield, MO

We don’t carry enough of a variety of merchandise to make a registry appealing. — Alex Weil; Martin’s Jewelry, Manhattan Beach, CA

I honestly tried for several years. I know it works fantastically well for many of my friends, but for some reason I just couldn’t make it happen. — Lora S. Wright;
Southern Jewelers, Sanford, NC

We tried it 15 years ago, as a stand alone software, no takers, then added it to our POS. Still nada. In order to work it must be online and fully e-commerce enabled. It’s not worth the capital investment. Let Williams Sonoma have the business — it’s low-margin, anyway. — Rex Solomon; Houston Jewelry, Houston, TX

I don’t sell gift items (trays, clocks, glassware, etc.), but I use a “Hint hint” card file for gifts that my customers want. The “Hint hint” card can be given to the spouse, or I can mail it if they prefer. It lists the items and prices. Husbands love it. — Elizabeth Breon; Coast Jewelers, Florence, OR

It’s something we are considering, but we have just started to expand our gift lines to have things other than jewelry to offer customers. — Colby Kicia; Buddy’s Jewelry, Dunn, NC

The store had it in the past. It used a lot of paper and time for something that didn’t really work. — Erik Mauter; Hudson Jewelers, St. Marys, OH

[span class=note]This story is from the September 2011 edition of INSTORE[/span]