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Forum: Diamonds In the Real World
INSIDE LOOK AT THE DIAMOND WORLD
4. Advice For Tourists
Shopping for diamonds as a tourist presents special challenges, because it may be very expensive to come back to resolve any problems. Here is some advice:
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The government does not guarantee any store's merchandise. Normal laws about fraud are in effect, but as a tourist you will probably not want to get involved in any legal activity. It's better to look for local stores which local people use, rather than stores which seem eager to bring in tourists only.
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Even if the building or exhibition is in a government area or sponsored by a government agency, this does not mean the individual stores or stalls have any special guarantees. You are dealing with the shop, not the exhibition organization. It's no different from ordering something in the mail from an advertisement in the newspaper- the newspaper cannot be responsible for all of its advertisers. Don't forget to check their credentials as carefully as if you walked in to a store on the street. Furthermore, remember that most stores in expensive shopping centers or special events have probably paid a high commission or entrance fee, and they will want to cover this expense.
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It is well-known now that some disreputable types in Bangkok have all kinds of tricks to sell poor quality merchandise to tourists. You can use your common sense- if you are in a tourist area, what should you think of someone who comes up and asks you to buy gems? Do you think you can possibly get a better price than the stores where Thai people shop? Don't accept high-pressure tactics, and think
carefully.
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Only professionals should even think about trying to resell gems to make a profit. If you are not a professional, please enjoy the ownership of your beautiful stones and their investment value from reputable dealers- but don't take the risk of trying to make a business out of them. A lot of people have been very disappointed by schemes to resell stones from Bangkok in their home countries- if this worked, don't you think the dealers would be doing this already?
Next
>>
1. Diamonds
and Professionals
2. Accept No Substitutes
3. Know Your Dealer
4. Advice For Tourists
5. Diamonds and Overhead
6. We Are The Best, But Don't Only Take Our Word For It
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