True Tales: The Man Who Bought Two Rings

Published

16 years ago

November 3, 2008

This happened about 20 years ago. A young lady comes in to buy a ring for a young man she has only seen at church from afar...
This happened about 20 years ago. A young lady comes in to buy a ring for a young man she has only seen at church from afar. Shortly after, a young man comes in with his parents, talks to me about “when you buy a ring for a girl” and buys a diamond engagement ring. You could have floored me when later the young man and woman walk in together to size the ring the woman had bought. She opened an account to pay for the $35 ring, and every month they would come in together. Each time, she would drool over the diamond counter. But there was nothing from him about the ring he bought. Finally, a year later, he comes in and trades in the ring he bought for a larger diamond. He then offers it to her, and she accepts. Over the next 20 years we see them only a few times. Last year, they re-appeared, and since then he has bought her a $2,000 diamond ring, $500 diamond earrings, a $1,200 wedding band for him, and a syn star sapphire ring. She has no idea there was ever the other ring. They are nice, everyday people — no children, two dogs and as happy as clams in an ocean of plankton. — WARREN LAKEIN
LAKEINS JEWELERS OF HAMILTON, BALTIMORE, MD

Ready to Relocate? Wilkerson Makes Your Move Seamless

When Brockhaus Jewelry decided to leave their longtime West Main Street storefront for a standalone building elsewhere in Norman, Oklahoma, owners John Brockhaus and Brad Shipman faced a familiar challenge: how to efficiently reduce inventory before the big move. Their solution? Partnering with liquidation specialists Wilkerson for a second time. "We'd already experienced Wilkerson's professionalism during a previous sale," Shipman recalls. "But their approach to our relocation event truly impressed us. They strategically prioritized our existing pieces while tactfully introducing complementary merchandise as inventory levels decreased." The carefully orchestrated sale didn't just meet targets—it shattered them. Asked if they'd endorse Wilkerson to industry colleagues planning similar transitions—whether relocating, retiring, or refreshing their space—both partners were emphatic in their approval. "The entire process was remarkably straightforward," Shipman notes. "Wilkerson delivered a well-structured program, paired us with a knowledgeable advisor, and managed every detail flawlessly from concept to completion."