Better Deals After the Holidays?

[hoffmanj]

This is my first post. I've been lurking and learning a lot.

I've been finding that the response time is very long from online vendors right now - I realize that tons of people are looking for a ring around the holidays and I understand everyone's busy.

I'm ready to buy a ring now if I find the right deal, but I also have the luxury of not being in a rush.

My question is - what's the buying climate usually like after the holidays, generally speaking? Are there better deals to be had? I assume stores will be in a position to be more responsive, at the very least.

Thanks for any insight!

 

[decodelighted]

I don't have any inside knowledge ... but I'd guess that the most desirable inventory will be depleted after the holidays. Valentines Day is right around the corner too -- and ALSO a popular time for proposals. Maybe April/May might be a better time to bargain hunt ... before all the Summer proposals start.

If you're looking for something that is very popular .... 1 ct ... 1.5ct ... 2ct round brilliant ... super ideal cut in a color like F-I .... you'll have a lot of competition. Those are always highly desirable sizes/specs.

 

[antelope1]

I agree with decodelighted -- there always seems to be a proposal season right around the corner. I'd do my research and have a firm idea as to your budget and specs, and when the right diamond comes up, get it immediately (or put it on hold). Me personally, everything is extra crazy in December, so I'd wait until January just for my own sanity, but not in hopes of getting a better deal.

It's hard to find a "deal" with diamonds (unless it's consignment, estate, or B&M) ... and B&M, I'm just going to say that a 40% off from a B&M store may be more than what you would pay online in the first place, so it's not really a "deal".

If you go the route of buying a pre-set diamond, I would definitely ask for a recent cert or ask that the diamond be unset for independent appraisal. It's hard to judge color/clarity/ct while it's set and that's what the price is based on. (If you got a 1.2 carat instead of a 1.4 ct, what was a deal becomes a dud...and they can face up similarly in size.)

 

[hoffmanj]

Thanks for the replies. I'll do just what you said antelope1 - be ready to jump but I won't stress over it. I'll also reset my expectations for the time of the year re: Internet responsiveness. I assume if I put a diamond on hold someone will see me as more than a tire kicker and I'll probably get some more attention.

Thanks again!

 

[Rockdiamond]

I'd say that items like cluster rings- or things that mall stores specialize in may indeed go on sale after Christmas.
If you're talking about well cut diamonds with GIA or AGSL reports, there's very little variation due to season- if any.