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Tiffany Dilemma

Miss Sparkly

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Jan 2, 2010
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So torn! This necklace has been on my wishlist for many years and was to finally be mine on Valentines Day...

http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Item.aspx?fromGrid=1&sku=19936562&mcat=148204&cid=287465&search_params=s+2-p+59-c+287465-r+101323338-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+

But, now we are faced with significant vet bills for my baby Milo who is only three. Diagnosis still unknown. A liver biopsy is the next step if the current meds do not help show improvement. AND our car was vandalized right before Christmas. Gifts for the past five years didn't exist because DH is a twit and wouldn't buy anything and now that he finally did I made him take it all back because of bills :(sad (this year on our anniversary was the first time he bought something in a long time)

The cost of the necklace would be just under 650 due to having to extend it and engrave it with my babies names (Milo and Mitsy). For us, right now, that is a lot of money. Down the road for my b-day I may feel more comfortable with the price tag. BUT my logical brain says NO NO NO. In order to guarantee authenticity and have Tiffany extend it I would have to pay full retail price. The metal is not even close to worth that and if I ever needed to sell I would lose quite a bit. DH suggested getting the Bulova watch that I have eyeballed (it's on clearance). My heart screams Tiffany Necklace! and my logical brain says NO WAY

so, what would pricescope do? :Up_to_something:
 

sonnyjane

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Well, I'm not sure what "Pricescope" would do, but I know that I would unfortunately have to give up the necklace and focus on the vet bills! Stop and think about it for a second... what's more important, the engraved necklace, or the health and life of the pet that bears the name that would be engraved on it? You can ALWAYS buy new jewelery. I think you should follow your brain in this case.
 

PintoBean

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Hello Milo - stay strong! :wavey:

Hi Miss Sparkly,

My suggestion is to have an amount you are comfortable with put towards a Tiffany gift card. And, on other special occasions, when friends and family ask you what you'd like for a gift, ask for a Tiffany gift card. Before you know it, you'll be waltzing into Tiffany's and getting that necklace you've been coveting! And it will be nice knowing that the necklace came from ALL of your loved ones!
 

diamondseeker2006

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I don't think she is saying they won't do the vet things. She is deciding whether to get the necklace or the watch, I think?

My opinion is that if you even have in your mind "if I ever need to sell it", you probably don't need to be buying it. Do you have emergency funds saved up for car or home repairs, unexpected vet or doctor bills? If not, that needs to come first before luxury items, in my opinion. You can still get a gift but it doesn't have to be expensive. Wait until you have extra money with a reserve for emergencies before buying expensive gifts.
 

Enerchi

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That is a stressful situation to be in - watching your beloved pet have health issues and being helpless to make them better. :((

Sonnyjane had a great comment- "You can ALWAYS buy new jewelery. I think you should follow your brain in this case." - yup. IMHO, this is a case of pet coming first. It hurts (not one of us on these forums could pass a jewelry store without stopping!!!) but it is the right thing to do.

Oddly enough, just when you think something isn't going to happen, life (or karma...) presents us with a different opportunity. If that Tiffany necklace is meant to be yours, it will one day. Hang in there - both you and Milo :)
 

sonnyjane

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diamondseeker2006|1325213116|3091153 said:
I don't think she is saying they won't do the vet things. She is deciding whether to get the necklace or the watch, I think?

My opinion is that if you even have in your mind "if I ever need to sell it", you probably don't need to be buying it. Do you have emergency funds saved up for car or home repairs, unexpected vet or doctor bills? If not, that needs to come first before luxury items, in my opinion. You can still get a gift but it doesn't have to be expensive. Wait until you have extra money with a reserve for emergencies before buying expensive gifts.

Oh, that's not how I read the question, so I apologize if I misunderstood. That said, I actually completely agree with you, diamondseeker. If the question is between the watch or the necklace, I'd have to say neither.
 

Imdanny

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You probably don't know how many times I've wanted to take my money and spend it on jewelry instead of paying bills. Oh, no. Landlord gets the better part of $900 cash every thirty days, still no bling for me. It sucks. I'm sorry. I would honestly wait but it's up to you.

I would obviously save the pet's life before anything else but my mother worked for a vet when I was growing up and I also understand that's not always possible. I can't comment about the facts and circumstances here because I am completely unfamiliar with them.

I hope your pet makes a full and fast recovery and that you can have the jewelry you want soon. Hugs.
 

VRBeauty

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I LOVE Pinto Bean's gift card idea. It allows you to take care of your responsibilities while still making real progress towards the bling. And who knows... your hubby (or others) might surprise you with "just because" gift cards from time to time. While $650 at once might be a bit much for him to swallow, a gift card will seem much more doable, and might even be something he'd enjoy giving!
 

Porridge

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I think now is not the right time for the necklace, based on what you have said. Focus on the pets, and imagine how much better you will feel wearing a necklace with their names on it, knowing you have done everything you can to ensure their health! It sucks, but bills come first. You'll have that necklace in no time and be all the happier for waiting.
 
Joined
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OK, I'm going to be honest with you. You may or may not like what I have to say.

A few things first about Tiff jewelry:

1. If you go ahead with this purchase don't expect to get even half of the cost back if you have to sell it. Expect WAY LESS if it is engraved. This is a really common necklace and many don't get them engraved which more people will probably go for.

2. Be prepared to polish/ buff that thing like crazy if you want it looking nice and new.

3. If you thing you may sell it, keep the original receipt-- it will help.

I used to own several pieces of Tiffany silver. I then decided I preferred fine jewelry and sold it. It was very difficult and took a long time to find the right buyer(s). The one silver piece that I have left (a necklace) always needs to be polished. It may not look like it but once you start buffing you can tell that it was getting "dull". So annoying.

About animals:

I recently had a semi-similar situation happen. I was finally going to pull the trigger on some 5 stone huggies when I noticed one of our kitties had really stinky breath (like, pretty much the same day). DH and I brought him to the vet and they said he would need extensive dental surgery starting at $1k... probably closer to $2k if everything went right. Just for two teeth. TWO! We ended up lucking out and once he was in surgery (and had his xrays etc.) they were able to save one of the teeth but still had to pull the other. Thankfully his jaw was ok and no long term damage was done to it. Our bill was about $700. Thankfully, he took his antibiotics and everything is healing well and looks good.

While I still could've pulled the trigger on the earrings I didn't because this was a strong reminder that these items diamonds/ silver/ gold (whatever) are just jewelry in the long run. That kitty might be ok now, and our others are, but you never know what could happen. A simple $2k procedure could end up in months of vet visits and treatments. While $650 would only be a portion of it.. if you had to sell that necklace and MAYBE get $250 for it.. was it worth it for a $400 plus loss?

Can I suggest not doing the gift card route? Getting those ensures that you have to either use them or sell them at a loss. Start a fund with cash only for that necklace (or whatever). When you have enough money WAIT a little bit more and see if you still want it as badly. Maybe you won't. Maybe another car/ animal emergency will come up. Or, maybe you will want it still as much as before (or more!) but can buy it 100% guilt free.

And for full disclosure, I did get some jewelry items for xmas but nothing near the price of 2ctw huggies.
Those damn things are still on my list.
 

MissStepcut

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Be patient and pick up the necklace used.

This thread is very timely for me. We have been debating getting a puppy in the next two years or another rat (my last one died right at the 2 year mark, as expected). I always forget how expensive dogs can be. This definitely helps me make up my mind.

Oh, and Imdanny? "The better part of $900"? I FREAKING WISH!! :lol: :lol: :lol:
 

Imdanny

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If you mean it's a bargain, believe me- I know! I've lived in Hawaii for ten years and for two people and a cat to live in a nice apartment with hard floors of any kind (fancy concrete- love) in an upper middle class neighborhood (ok, a neighborhood of millionaires), um, just no, they don't rent to two people for $850- ever. It's unheard of. The way I lucked into this is that the independently wealthy dude was traveling and left his girlfriend here to make the decision, she fell in love with my SO (he has that effect on women a lot), and wealthy dude for whatever reason wanted the $1,700 cash, like yesterday, because it had been rented but that fell through. Since he got the rent and a deposit equal to it, that was a lot of money to turn away, so he didn't, especially because his (then) girlfriend (he's serially monogamous, I don't judge, just please- I don't want to hear his love making- I never knew other people's love making could be so disgusting to have to listen to) painted my SO in the best light possible I'm sure. He wanted one person. He didn't want a pet. SO and I are very practical about this. We're honest about the fact that A) he wants our money but he doesn't want us here and B) we want to live here and we don't want to give him our money. LOL! But it's true. SO and I had a difficult (loud for him) month in November. Boy he paid us back in December. We'll see how it goes but, yes, I would loves me some bling (especially because like the OP I don't have a lot of money to spend on bling and I've wanted this one ring for a long time) but I also like shelter. Being able to have a new computer, a new iPhone, internet on both of them, and electricity to power them is pretty nifty too. But I'll tell you something. SO thinks electronics are something we "need" (most men seem to think this way, sigh). He doesn't think Cartier gold jewelry is something we "need". I told him after this computer we got for Christmas (it was only $370 for a lenovo computer- it was a raging bargain- but still) the next time we spend money, it's going to be on me- period! I think he understands where I'm coming from on this. I've compromised on money making decisions for the last time! The next time we buy something, it's going to be my bling, and if he forgets, heaven help him, because he will be reminded, and I will have my way.
 

Lady_Disdain

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bean|1325233894|3091340 said:
OK, I'm going to be honest with you. You may or may not like what I have to say.

A few things first about Tiff jewelry:

1. If you go ahead with this purchase don't expect to get even half of the cost back if you have to sell it. Expect WAY LESS if it is engraved. This is a really common necklace and many don't get them engraved which more people will probably go for.

2. Be prepared to polish/ buff that thing like crazy if you want it looking nice and new.

3. If you thing you may sell it, keep the original receipt-- it will help.

To me, this is the reason why it isn't worth spending another $250 for Tiffany to do the extending and engraving themselves in order to keep the authenticity. The authenticity won't get that $250 back to make it worth while.

I think your best option is to look on the secondary market and have it engraved yourself.
 

yennyfire

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I agree...if you really want the necklace, try to find it on the secondary market and have it engraved somewhere other than Tiffany. Save the extra money for a rainy day pet fund (because you know you'll need it somewhere down the road...this coming from someone who would sell her kidney to take care of her beloved dog if necessary).
 

Miss Sparkly

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diamondseeker2006|1325213116|3091153 said:
I don't think she is saying they won't do the vet things. She is deciding whether to get the necklace or the watch, I think?

My opinion is that if you even have in your mind "if I ever need to sell it", you probably don't need to be buying it. Do you have emergency funds saved up for car or home repairs, unexpected vet or doctor bills? If not, that needs to come first before luxury items, in my opinion. You can still get a gift but it doesn't have to be expensive. Wait until you have extra money with a reserve for emergencies before buying expensive gifts.

The "if I ever need to sell it mentality" is rooted in my childhood. Thanks Mom and Dad. They were both very practical people that bought items based on values/losses. Then when DH and I both took huge job cuts a couple years back and make the difficult decision to short sale our house it was

The issue at hand was that I could set aside that mentality when there wasn't something better, so to speak, to spend the money on. It took me years to accept that it was okay to splurge on something and when I finally did Milo became very ill (we are looking at thousands in vet bills sadly). I love Milo more than anything and would never sacrifice his health for something shiny. My disappointment comes from the extremely high levels of stress coupled with the twisted fate of the universe.

My original post was not worded well. It didn't make much sense looking back on it and did imply that a necklace was worth more than Milo. It's not, but provided a distraction to worrying about him and his constant care (he's on four meds, some three times, some two times, some with food, some without. Plus the prep of his limited food diet. It's stressful).
 

Miss Sparkly

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MissStepcut|1325240332|3091368 said:
Be patient and pick up the necklace used.

This thread is very timely for me. We have been debating getting a puppy in the next two years or another rat (my last one died right at the 2 year mark, as expected). I always forget how expensive dogs can be. This definitely helps me make up my mind.

Oh, and Imdanny? "The better part of $900"? I FREAKING WISH!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

First - thanks bean! It's good to hear others in that situation.

As far as the puppy goes, they are expensive! Our other girl Mitsy is only 9 months old and has issues with blood clotting that we believe stem from genetics. We didn't know this when we got her :(sad A pet rainy day fund had already been established. I just didn't expect my seemingly young and healthy Milo to be the one to eat it up so quickly ;( For example, his three day stay in the vet hospital plus his meds has been just under 2k. The liver biopsy if needed is more than that :-o
 

Tanzigrrl

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I hear you. I had a "bling fund" and was about ready to pull the trigger. Then the "Service Engine Soon" light came on in my 3.5 year old vehicle. The repair bill? $900 and of course at 3+ years old, it was off of its factory warranty. It happened on December 10th and I was pretty annoyed with the proximity to Christmas. But, the vehicle has been repaired, I had to fork over the majority of my bling fund, but I need reliable transportation so I had to do it. It has occurred to me that I kind of wish I had placed my jewelry order before the engine light came on, but then I'd be really "up a creek" as they say if I didn't have the bling fund money ready to hand. Frustratingly, in life, there are some things that come up that we just don't want to pay for - especially when we already have the $$ earmarked for something more "fun." :nono:
 

QueenB29

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Miss Sparkly, I know what you mean. I have a 7-year-old yellow lab, and I had to spend $800 at the vet a couple months ago for a random stomach virus. I'm taking her back today for what appears to be incontinence :errrr: I don't care how much the medication for that costs, she's getting it. And when you add in the dog walker, her food, allergy medicine, boarding and grooming....well, lets just say I could have a LOT of sparklies. But she gives me far more joy than any diamond ever could. (Did I really just say that?)

There is no way I'd let DH get me that necklace if we had a vet bill like that or a huge car bill or something. We had to cancel a vacation last year when we discovered termites and had to pay to have them treated, so I understand your disappointment. I wonder if the real thing that bothers you is that, since you said your DH never buys you presents, this is something he would have actually given you? That's a whole separate issue, though.

And if it makes you feel better...$650 for silver is, IMHO, a complete ripoff, whether it says Tiffany and comes in a blue box or not ;))

I really hope your furbabies feel better soon.
 

JewelFreak

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Extremely stressful to have sick animals -- not to mention the expense! Watching them hurt is the hardest part for me, having to give up other plans for the money not much fun either. In the last 5 yrs I've spent, literally, many thousand dollars on my 4-footed buddies. A 14-yr-old dog who has his own 1) regular vet, 2) gerontological vet, 3) neurologist, and now needs to see a 4) urologist. Another dog has had a few specialist visits for trouble with her pipes & currently a skin problem the vet can't diagnose, so off to a dermatologist. Ancient cat with pain in his back, a crappy heart, & high thyroid. Yesterday I paid $74 for a bag of the dogs' special diet food.

And the floors in my kitchen & family room are collapsing due to unbelievably poor construction of this house 25 yrs ago, decades before we bought it -- result just showing up now. Can't contemplate how much that will cost.

You never know when lightning will strike, so if you're already short on cash (who isn't?), painful as it is, the goodies wait. Sounds like you got the picture. :((

Lady Disdain is totally right, if it's any consolation. Except that you'd never be able to re-sell a Tiff heart necklace with engraving. Too many un-engraved alternatives to shell out for one with somebody else's names. I worked at Tiffany & their silver jewelry looks pretty tattered within months. It does not hold up well, loses its polish and never acquires a nice patina, just becomes dull & scratched. The work is also poor, clasps cheaply done, soldering not great.

I suggest you keep your eye open for a more original piece to engrave -- possibly even an estate or secondary market item; you could get much better quality for the same money. Probably a million (honestly) of those Tiff necklaces have been sold in the last 15 yrs -- they're a dime a dozen. I don't think you'd end up wearing one for long; they're made for the teenybopper market.

Best health & happiness for your pups & your car!!! Lots of dust!

--- Laurie
 

Imdanny

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JewelFreak|1325262689|3091575 said:
I worked at Tiffany & their silver jewelry looks pretty tattered within months. It does not hold up well, loses its polish and never acquires a nice patina, just becomes dull & scratched. The work is also poor, clasps cheaply done, soldering not great.

--- Laurie

Laurie, I've heard this before and what's more I've seen a picture of one that aged poorly and fast on PS.

I have many questions about Tiffany. I'm slowly identifying what they are, and this is one of them.

I get the low quality clasps, soldering not great- that's just cheap, squeezing every last dime out of consumers' pockets.

I get that.

What I don't understand is how the silver loses its polish and never acquires a nice patina, just becoming dull and scratched.

Because, Tiffany advertises on their website (and I have no reason to doubt this) that they... something about 925 and they set the metal standard for silver in the US.

Thus, I would assume (and obviously the marketing is meant to make one assume) that their silver alloy and indeed their silver products would be of the best metal quality.

Yet, this simply does not appear to be the case.

So, this is very curious to me. :???:
 

VRBeauty

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I understand about wanting something from Tiffany's becuase it is luxury, albeit an affordable luxury. (I also come from very frugal roots. I still remember the first time I bought a shirt at full price, without worrying it not being marked down... it was such a foreign experience for me!) But JF makes some very good points about the quality of TIffany's silver, and the durability of the design. Here's an alternative approach... just in case you're looking for one:

il_170x135.278020166.jpg

(http://www.etsy.com/shop/GorjessJewellery?page=1)

(I still love the collection of gift cards idea too!)
 

zoebartlett

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Without a doubt, I'd focus on paying the vet bills. I'm sure it stinks to let go of an item you've had your eye on, but you can always get it later when you're in better financial shape. I hope Milo gets better soon.

ETA: Oops, I misunderstood your first post. I really hope the vet help Milo and he feels better asap.
 

decodelighted

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It's so frustrating to wait & plan & save for something and then have it seemingly pulled from underneath you out of the blue === ESPECIALLY for such a sad & stressful reason.

I wouldn't indulge in the necklace right now because I fear it's going to have guilt & sourness attached to it for you. And could possibly stress you out even more!

I'll also say that sometimes things you think you want SO BADLY can end up being very unsatisfactory -- or don't live up to the hype so to speak. I wanted a pair of Tiffany Perretti drop earrings for -oh- about TWENTY YEARS but didn't have pierced ears. Got them for my first Xmas after (if I recall correctly) -- and they looked horrible on me & didn't feel good either! Went back immediately & I don't think I even got an Xmas present after that.

DUST for your pups. And best wishes for a nice present for yourself, whatever you decide.
 

decodelighted

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JewelFreak|1325262689|3091575 said:
Probably a million (honestly) of those Tiff necklaces have been sold in the last 15 yrs -- they're a dime a dozen. I don't think you'd end up wearing one for long; they're made for the teenybopper market.
Though harsh, I totally agree w/this but couldn't think of a way to say it. You'd grow out of this piece emotionally & stylistically very quickly. Don't know a lot of professional women wearing these around at their professional jobs.


ETA: Your pups are so young you might want to investigate buying pet health insurance for them? Not sure if it would cover the current health sitch -- but if they're going through so much so young, it might be a long road ahead. Just a thought.
 

Miss Sparkly

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Thanks everybody :) pet insurance is not an option due to ore existing conditions. I think I will take what I do feel comfortable spending ($200) and look for something else.
 

Miss Sparkly

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Like maybe a phone that isn't so impossible to peck on! Grrrrr
 

JewelFreak

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LOL! There's a bright ambition!! If there were a "Blind" emoticon, it'd be here.

--- Laurie
 

JewelFreak

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Imdanny|1325264872|3091602 said:
JewelFreak|1325262689|3091575 said:
I worked at Tiffany & their silver jewelry looks pretty tattered within months. It does not hold up well, loses its polish and never acquires a nice patina, just becomes dull & scratched. The work is also poor, clasps cheaply done, soldering not great.

--- Laurie

Laurie, I've heard this before and what's more I've seen a picture of one that aged poorly and fast on PS.

I have many questions about Tiffany. I'm slowly identifying what they are, and this is one of them.

I get the low quality clasps, soldering not great- that's just cheap, squeezing every last dime out of consumers' pockets.

I get that.

What I don't understand is how the silver loses its polish and never acquires a nice patina, just becoming dull and scratched.

Because, Tiffany advertises on their website (and I have no reason to doubt this) that they... something about 925 and they set the metal standard for silver in the US.

Thus, I would assume (and obviously the marketing is meant to make one assume) that their silver alloy and indeed their silver products would be of the best metal quality.

Yet, this simply does not appear to be the case.

So, this is very curious to me. :???:

Danny, it has to do with the alloys they use. Their silver is sterling, of course -- 925 parts silver out of 1000. It's the other metals -- they use more nickel or something like that, because it costs them less. Somebody told me about it when I worked there & I can't remember the details --maybe one of our jeweler PSers could explain.

--- Laurie
 
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