| Many people, when making a high value purchase, | | | | Check out the company - they should display a |
| choose to do some research on the internet to | | | | VAT number (in the UK) together with a |
| familiarise themselves with the subject, and | | | | company registration number. |
| diamonds are no exception. The web provides | | | | Check they are displaying a landline phone |
| an invaluable self-education facility which could | | | | number. Treat sites that display only a mobile |
| save you hundreds. | | | | number with caution. Ring the number. Is it |
| As people browse the internet in search of | | | | answered quickly? Does the person who |
| honest, reliable information, many often reach the | | | | answers it able to answer your questions |
| conclusion that there is a wealth of diamond | | | | thoroughly and professionally? |
| retailers online, many of which provide highly | | | | Send an email via the contact button. Is your |
| professional websites from which you are | | | | email answered promptly? If not, then move on, |
| encouraged to make a purchase. Indeed, many | | | | these companies don't value your business and |
| websites now offer the facility to not only choose | | | | therefore don't deserve your business. |
| your diamond using a worldwide search facility, | | | | Check that the company is part of the relevant |
| but you can also see video clips of the diamond | | | | trade association for that industry. If not, why |
| ring as well as seeing how the ring sits on a | | | | not. |
| 'virtual' 3-D hand. | | | | Last, but not least, check that the website offers |
| However, the same tips apply when buying | | | | a money back guarantee. By law this will be at |
| diamond engagement rings as it does when buying | | | | least 7 days, although many sites today offer 14 |
| a new IPOD or something else of value. After | | | | days or even 30 days. |
| all, the person or people running these websites | | | | By following these simple guidelines, you can |
| could be doing so from their garage. You never | | | | seriously reduce any risk in buying via the |
| know. | | | | internet. Failure to do so could cost you dearly. |