True Tales: Jeweler, Lifesaver

Published

10 years ago

December 16, 2013

True Tales: Jeweler, Lifesaver

BY INSTORE TEAM

True Tales: Jeweler, Lifesaver

Published in the January 2014 issue

A customer told me I saved his life. He had been in a year earlier and didn’t return. I figured he bought elsewhere. I ran a radio ad that said we sell more than engagement rings, we sell pressure valves. If you are getting pressure from your partner, friends, or family, just get the engagement ring. Deal with the marriage side of the equation later when the heat is off or when you know you can afford the wedding. Back to the customer, it turns out that a week after visiting the store, they found out that she was pregnant! Her old man wouldn’t even look at him and her mother just burst into tears. Now, a year later, they had a cute bundle of joy but still no ring and they were having a big family reunion. The guy was ready to platz. Then he heard my commercial. According to him it was an epiphany. He thought, “I can do the engagement ring. We’ll worry about the wedding later.” So he bought the ring and went to the reunion. As expected, nobody would even talk to him. In the middle of the festivities he asked for everyone’s attention, got down on his knee, and proposed in front of the whole darned family. She said yes, her old man was slapping him on the back and calling him son, and her mother just about had to have CPR. So, there you have it, we don’t just sell engagement rings, we sell pressure valves and we have about 1,200 models to choose from. — Chuck Kuba, Iowa Diamond, Des Moines, IA

This Third-Generation Jeweler Was Ready for Retirement. He Called Wilkerson

Retirement is never easy, especially when it means the end to a business that was founded in 1884. But for Laura and Sam Sipe, it was time to put their own needs first. They decided to close J.C. Sipe Jewelers, one of Indianapolis’ most trusted names in fine jewelry, and call Wilkerson. “Laura and I decided the conditions were right,” says Sam. Wilkerson handled every detail in their going-out-of-business sale, from marketing to manning the sales floor. “The main goal was to sell our existing inventory that’s all paid for and turn that into cash for our retirement,” says Sam. “It’s been very, very productive.” Would they recommend Wilkerson to other jewelers who want to enjoy their golden years? Absolutely! “Call Wilkerson,” says Laura. “They can help you achieve your goals so you’ll be able to move into retirement comfortably.”