A Question About Tiffany''s Exchange Policy

[musey]

Firstly, yes I know I can/should just call or go in but I thought someone might just know this offhand to save me the headache of customer service

I have a 3mm Tiffany Lucida band that I bought from Signed Pieces almost two years ago. It's still in perfect condition as I've never worn it for longer than 15 seconds. I've decided that I would really rather have the 2mm version. I'd imagine that there's absolutely no way I could return/exchange it to get the 2mm, right? It seems to me that that would be quite strange.


If you were me, what would you do? Just try to sell the 3mm and buy the 2mm (I've been watching SP and eBay for a 2mm but haven't seen one

)? Any suggestions on that, as I'm really having no luck with eBay. I have listed it twice - but I've never sold anything before and I'm sure 0% seller feedback rating makes ebayers nervous - I know it does me!

 

[Imdanny]

I want to buy the same ring you have and I''ve seen your pictures. Just curious- how much do you want?

 

[musey]

Date: 1/18/2009 2:58:33 AM
Author: Imdanny
I want to buy the same ring you have and I've seen your pictures. Just curious- how much do you want?

Hi, Imdanny. I'm pretty sure that we aren't allowed to discuss buying/selling on PS, but maybe the admin would be willing to put us in touch outside of PS.

 

[musey]

To answer your question generally - I won't be able to justify getting the 2mm if I can't get most of the price out of the sale value of my 3mm... because, you know, I already have one that's technically 'worth' more, so why pay a lot extra to get one that's 'worth' less? So it seems like, unless I can get a great sale price (somewhere close-ish to the price of the 2mm, which I believe would be ~$900 in CA after tax) for my 3mm in order to buy one straight from Tiffs, which seems like a lofty goal to me, my options are to:

A) Go have my 3mm shaved down closer to 2mm (which probably isn't a bad idea, actually, but it seems a shame to mess with a good thing rather than keep it intact)
-or-
B) Hope for a 'good' (not great) sale price for my 3mm and a great price on a second-hand 2mm (which will take awhile to find, though I'm sure I could eventually)

 

[Imdanny]

I can say, in general, that it sells for $1025, and that it recently had a $200 increase. You''ll be very very lucky to get $900 but I hope you do. I''m not sure that ring can be "shaved." I wouldn''t.

Thanks, Musey. Good luck. Maybe someone knows something about Tiffany''s policy and will chime in.

 

[musey]

Date: 1/18/2009 3:45:30 AM
Author: Imdanny
I can say, in general, that it sells for $1025, and that it recently had a $200 increase. You'll be very very lucky to get $900 but I hope you do.

Obviously, which is why I said both "somewhere close-ish to the price" (not "enough to cover") and "seems like a lofty goal to me." I was only saying that to illustrate that the idea of selling it and buying the 2mm outright is not the best/most workable option for me.

I've seen 3 and 4.5mm lucida bands go from anywhere between $300-800 over the past 6 months (I've been trying to watch every auction I catch, seeing what I could hope for if I were to post a successful auction). I'd be beyond thrilled with $800. If only.

I'm not sure that ring can be 'shaved.' I wouldn't.

They can, and it's commonly done (eta: here's a great example). If it weren't a Tiffany piece I'd likely have done this already, but since it is it has just sat untouched in its box for nearly two years.

 

[Imdanny]

It''s a beautiful ring and it''s in new condition. How ironic- you have it and don''t want it and I don''t have it and want it.

I''m sorry I misread your post. It wasn''t intentional!

 

[bee*]

I really doubt that they will exchange it. I have the 3mm ring which I bought last Jan-I''ve lost weight since and it''s loose on me so I brought it into Tiffanys in Dublin last week. Bear in mind I''ve only tried in on three times and it''s been sitting in it''s box since as D and I aren''t getting married until June. They said that the couldn''t exchange it for a smaller size and that I''d have to get it made smaller. Doesn''t make sense to me as there''s not a scratch on it as it hasn''t been worn and I have the receipt from Tiffany NY. So I''m going to have to get my one made smaller.

 

[Steel]

Musey,

What a shame!

If I were you I would keep the 3mm and keep on looking for a 2mm. I went through a long phase of wanting the thinnest rings possible. Now 5+ years later I am appreciating wider bands. If you cannot ''exchange'' it at Tiff - which from Bee* seems unlikely I would keep it. 3mm is a great stand alone size...2mm not so much IMHO. I don''t know your lifestyle but it is great to have stand alone rings.


Bee* Congrats on weight loss! Did you consider sizing beads rather than downsizing. I only say as we ladies often lose weight before the wedding but it can creep back in the years after. If that did happen or if your fingers became swollen (illness/ baby bee*) then you could just shave off the beads. Just a thought.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

No, you certainly won''t be able to return it. I''ve only bought one ring there and it is my recollection that there is a 30 day return policy, and that is if you bought from them. You might get half (if you are lucky) of the new price reselling if it is in like-new condition. I do think it is harder to sell on ebay when you have no feedback. I almost never buy from new sellers when it comes to an expensive item. Maybe you could sell a few other things first? I think it would totally destroy the value of the ring being a Tiffany if you had it altered to 2mm. Basically, you really just need to save for the ring you want and watch for it on ebay and SP.

 

[february2003bride]

Musey- I just sold a Tiffany Lucida on ebay and got $350.00 for it. Most Lucidas n ebay go between $300-$450.00.

 

[Diamond*Dana]

I sold a 2mm Lucida about a year ago and I think I got around $250-$300 for it.
Too bad I don''t still have it because I would have happily worked out some sort of a trade with you!

 

[musey]

Date: 1/18/2009 3:44:43 PM
Author: Diamond*Dana
I sold a 2mm Lucida about a year ago and I think I got around $250-$300 for it.

Too bad I don''t still have it because I would have happily worked out some sort of a trade with you!

Oh man, if only! That would''ve been perfect

 

[musey]

Date: 1/18/2009 6:41:56 AM
Author: bee*
I really doubt that they will exchange it. I have the 3mm ring which I bought last Jan-I've lost weight since and it's loose on me so I brought it into Tiffanys in Dublin last week. Bear in mind I've only tried in on three times and it's been sitting in it's box since as D and I aren't getting married until June. They said that the couldn't exchange it for a smaller size and that I'd have to get it made smaller. Doesn't make sense to me as there's not a scratch on it as it hasn't been worn and I have the receipt from Tiffany NY. So I'm going to have to get my one made smaller.

I figured as much. That's quite annoying in your case, esp. because you do have an original receipt. I get that it's their policy and stores do need policies, nothing against that - but annoying nonetheless

FWIW, here is the reply I got from Tiffany CS... they make it sound like it's not possible, but that it is (there's some conflict between the first and second paragraphs, IMO, but I'm likely just misinterpreting their words and 30 days is the limit - period).


Thank you for contacting Tiffany & Co. Articles are accepted for
exchange if returned to the country where the sale originated and is in
saleable condition within 30 days, accompanied by a sales receipt.

For your reference, if the return is over 30 days, the merchandise will
be evaluated by our Quality Assurance Department and it may be possible
that the item will be returned to you.

The item should be sent to the following address:

TCO
Attn.: Returns
15 Sylvan Way
Parsippany, NJ 07054

The item should be insured for its value.

Sincerely,
Anthony Austin
Tiffany.com

 

[musey]

Date: 1/18/2009 11:15:54 AM
Author: Steel
Musey,

What a shame!

If I were you I would keep the 3mm and keep on looking for a 2mm. I went through a long phase of wanting the thinnest rings possible. Now 5+ years later I am appreciating wider bands. If you cannot ''exchange'' it at Tiff - which from Bee* seems unlikely I would keep it. 3mm is a great stand alone size...2mm not so much IMHO. I don''t know your lifestyle but it is great to have stand alone rings.

Thanks for the reply, Steel! I wear my 2mm jazz band as a stand-alone, I don''t feel that it''s too thin for my tastes. I don''t really want the lucida to wear alone, just to stack with my wedding band (on days I don''t want a statement diamond with my e-ring) or all three together. The 3mm is just way too wide for that and looks out of place in my opinion, because my e-ring and wedding band are both about 2mm so it''s just too heavy looking next to them.

I''ve been holding on to it with the intention of selling it only if I can get a good sale price out of it (though I still don''t think I know what that would be, I am SO not a sales person), and just never wear it - part of that is because it needs to be sized before I can wear it comfortably.

 

[musey]

Date: 1/18/2009 2:41:38 PM
Author: february2003bride
Musey- I just sold a Tiffany Lucida on ebay and got $350.00 for it. Most Lucidas n ebay go between $300-$450.00.

That's good to know for purposes of finding a used 2mm in the future, I'll have to keep tabs on the 'bay. Thanks!

 

[musey]

Date: 1/18/2009 1:09:36 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
I do think it is harder to sell on ebay when you have no feedback. I almost never buy from new sellers when it comes to an expensive item. Maybe you could sell a few other things first?

I totally agree. I''m so impatient with eBay, though. Ugh.

I think it would totally destroy the value of the ring being a Tiffany if you had it altered to 2mm.

I agree, that''s why I haven''t done it (or sized it to the right point for my finger, for that matter).

 

[decodelighted]

Kind of a crazy idea ... but you live in a big metro area (not that I'm a stalker) ... why not try the barter section on Craigslist. "Will trade 3mm Tiffany Lucida band for 2mm version" & see if anything turns up? That's cost neutral at least ...

So frustrating when something is *almost* right. What's Mssalvo's siggy again?

ETA: Does it *have* to be the Lucida band? You can find 2mm comfort fit platinum bands for much less ... if you're gonna be wearing it only once in a while ... does it matter?

 

[musey]

Date: 1/19/2009 1:10:26 AM
Author: decodelighted
Kind of a crazy idea ... but you live in a big metro area (not that I'm a stalker) ... why not try the barter section on Craigslist. 'Will trade 3mm Tiffany Lucida band for 2mm version' & see if anything turns up? That's cost neutral at least ...

Deco, that is such a good idea!! Thank you, I am going to try that!

ETA: Does it *have* to be the Lucida band? You can find 2mm comfort fit platinum bands for much less ... if you're gonna be wearing it only once in a while ... does it matter?

It doesn't have to be Tiffany at all... But I've found that I'm super picky about the dome shape, especially in the 2mm width. When it's too high, there's no flat surface on the interior which bugs me, and it also has more height than my wedding band. When it's too flat, it looks funny next to my rounded e-ring. The lucida happens to have the exact right shape to it - though I'm sure I could find that somewhere else, it's hard to know without trying it on.

I think I'll continue passively looking for a good deal on the 2mm and hope one comes along... I just recently saw a pic of someone's 2mm lucida on here and that always makes me feel more rushed to get my own

Thank you for the Craigslist idea!!

 

[Imdanny]

Date: 1/18/2009 1:09:36 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
You might get half (if you are lucky) of the new price reselling if it is in like-new condition.

That sounds right to me. That''s what one would expect from any piece of jewelry from everything I''ve read.