I am a big believer in buying pre-owned jewelry, and I should be because I buy other peoples diamonds, watches and jewelry for a living, but even before I did this for a living, I was a big believer in pre-owned.
And, for me, it doesn’t just extend to watches and jewelry, but all luxury goods. I believe in used cars and used clothing and shoes and yes, even used homes.
People are all about “thrifting” these days, and no matter what you call it; thrifting doesn’t have to just be about lower end merchandise.
Although the term “thrifting” often connotes a garage sale mentality, when I talk about pre-owned, I am not talking about garage sale, but high end, pre-owned items that the only person who knows it is pre-owned is you.
Why Buy New?
What I’ve found is that people who pay new are the ones that want to prove they can afford to do so. If you are purchasing something along the lines like a Rolex watch or a Chanel bag, these items not only hold their value, they are built to last.
The basic structure of the item barely changes over the years, so you are pretty safe that the style is going to be the same or similar, but more importantly, the inner workings are going to be the same and because of the history of the brand, you know that you can count on it being around for any repairs or returns that need to be made.
The Options Are Endless
Today, you can find luxury goods that are pre-owned all over the Internet. It used to be you could only find them at pawnshops, antique stores, second hand clothing stores or garage sales.
But now if you do a Google search you will come up with hundreds of sites that sell excellent quality goods that are pre-owned, so once again, why buy new?
Do Your Homework
One thing that makes buying new easier is that you don’t have to think about it. You walk into a retailer and make a purchase, end of story, but when you are on the hunt for that elusive watch pre-owned it is imperative to do your homework. Make sure the seller is reputable and trustworthy.
If you are on eBay, check their feedback before making a purchase and their return policy first. If you are wary, go with your gut instinct because you will always be able to find another great deal if you wait long enough.
Patience is a Virtue
We live in an “I want it now” world, but for me, half the fun is the wait. I have found that the anticipation of searching for exactly what I want far outweighs the feeling of instant gratification of owning it now.
When you are looking for pre-owned you need to have a good idea of what you are looking for, and more importantly, have the patience to look for it and wait for it. But, when you find it, the excitement of having it is amazing.
Going Green in My Own Way
I am not going to pretend to be all about the environment, because I’m not, but in my own way, this is helping contribute to being green. After all, upcycling or recycling luxury goods is better than those items filling up landfills.
Although I think if I ever found a landfill filled with luxury goods, I would think I had died and gone to luxury good heaven!!
A Penny Saved Is A Penny Earned
And, finally, let’s talk about the cost factor. Buying a used anything is a money saver, and can’t we all use a little bit of extra money in the end?
After all, Valentines’ Day is coming up and we have to start buying all those gifts, and by buying pre-owned, you might even be able to get yourself a little something…. at least I have my eye on this Omega Speedmaster Broad Arrow.
Are you interested in creating your engagement ring with a loose diamond from our inventory? Contact Sergio@jfjco.com to schedule an appointment and find the perfect diamond today.
Want to see some examples of our work? Take a look at our engagement ring photo gallery and video gallery. You can keep up with Jonathan’s on Facebook, Twitter, and even follow our personal Instagram accounts below:
