One day, a woman came into the store looking at our “Everything 50% off” counter during our end-of-summer sale. She became visibly angrier and angrier. When I went over and gently asked if I could be of any assistance, she pointed to everything on the table — bracelets, earrings, necklaces and watches, etc. She wagged her finger back-and-forth, and angrily said, “If everything here is 50 percent off, why are they all different prices?” I carefully explained the best I could that some were watches, etc. but she continued on loudly, “Well, if they are 50 percent off, why are they all different prices?” As she left, she yelled, “What a scam!” Fortunately, the remaining customers in the store had a very good laugh. — Ila Schulman, Golddiggers Jeweler, Block Island, RI
Customer brought in a ring bought in the islands to find out if she had really received a deal as she was told. It was done with melee alexandrite. The problem is the alexandrite had little or no color change, and when we suggested that she have the ring appraised, she resisted because she did not want to spend money to know if it was real. She asked, “If I had the ring appraised, would that improve the color change of the alexandrite?” We simply said no, and she left. — Tim Wright, Simply Unique Jewelry Designs, Yorktown, VA
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.
