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Buying a diamond in NY?

TabitaW

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 17, 2014
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I've been thinking of the best way of getting the diamond I'm saving for (which means a nice RB somewhere between 1-1.25 ct depending on diamond prices) and since I found Pricesope I'm more and more convinced I should purchase it from Good old Gold, James Allen or some of those nice vendors recommended here. My concern is that I live in Europe. I know it's possible to purchase a diamond and have it sent here but since one of my sisters are in New York right now I started thinking it might be a better option to buy a diamond when visiting USA? I haven't been visiting in many years but I plan to in a year or two and if I decide on buying a diamond before that, I know my sisters (or parents) visit once in a while so I know someone I trust can help me to see it and collect it if I'm not able to in person. Would that be something you recommend over getting it sent to me in Europe? And in that case, which vendors are possible to buy from in NY? Or would it be a better idea for me to ask my relatives for help? I have close relatives living in the Raleigh area and in the Seattle area and I know they would help me if I asked them.

I would really appreciate your input and advice on this, just as I trust you guys on helping me getting a nice diamond when it's time. :D
 
Well, from what I understand, if someone wears the ring over, you don't have to (can avoid declaring? for) certain taxes (VAT, GST, etc.) I don't know if this is legal, or technically illegal however as I do not live in Europe.

Certain of our vendors are very used to shipping overseas and I believe the vendors you listed are among them.

So either way may work.

I personally would feel most comfortable having someone I trust pick up and inspect the ring.
 
My biggest concern is not the taxes etc, if I have to pay I would pay, no problems. The thing is it feels a bit better if someone I know and trust could see the diamond in person before purchasing it. And since I recently started thinking about the fact that there are options for that I wanted to ask what the best alternative is. :bigsmile:

And in fact, regarding taxes, I think it should be declared in the customs but I think lot of people don't and not many get caught when wearng it. I think I would declare it though, I don't want to be a criminal... :saint:
 
I respect that and agree with you. Like I said, I am not aware of how the law functions, whether it applies to things carried in or just mailed in. =) If it applies regardless, then of course you should declare.

I totally get wanting someone you know to pick it up. I would probably want to pick someone with attention to detail who will spend a little time in the store looking at it carefully.

I think GOG or ERD are probably your best bets for stores that have physical presence where diamonds are shown in the NY area. I understand from recent posters that JA is not doing that anymore.

:wavey:
 
Thank you so much for your input so far Gypsy, you seem to be so helpful to everyone here!

It's probably not worth going deeper into details before it's time, then I can select vendors and stones and see what suits best at that time. But since I started thinking about it I just had to ask. 8) For now it's time to save some money for the purchase, and of course I hope I can get it in person, I really want to visit "over there" as soon as possible, show my husband your country (he has never been in the US) and visit my relatives. I think I have all reasons to go. :D
 
Sorry, one more question popped up in my head. As far as I know the sales taxes may differ a bit in different states. Would there be any advantage on finding a vendor in another state than in NYC (if visiting different places)? The places I probably would visit (except New York) would probably be Raleigh (North Carolina) and Florida (since I have friends living there). Does it matter?
 
So I think you only declare if it was over 10k USD but I would double check on that.


Honestly I would just buy it online and have it shipped to your family members, but do it right before you visit them so if something is wrong you are still within your return window. If you buy from GOG and have it shipped to an address in NY state you will pay state tax, in NC there would be no tax. I think JA is outside of NY so if you buy online and ship to NY or NC you will not pay tax.

Hope that helps.
 
TabitaW|1395308958|3637817 said:
Sorry, one more question popped up in my head. As far as I know the sales taxes may differ a bit in different states. Would there be any advantage on finding a vendor in another state than in NYC (if visiting different places)? The places I probably would visit (except New York) would probably be Raleigh (North Carolina) and Florida (since I have friends living there). Does it matter?

Different states do have different % sales taxes. But, for you it should not matter as you can get a tax-refund at the airport when you would return to Europe.
You pay US state taxes if pick up the diamond in the actual store (say in NY). If you have the diamond store ship the diamond out of their state (and to a state where they don't have a physical presence) you will not pay US state taxes. US residents are supposed to declare their purchases though on their annual tax filing. Foreigners who pick up a diamond in a store (say NYC) can get the US tax refund at the airport when they leave the country. But, they will have to declare their purchase at customs upon arrival in their home country. So, in your case, buying a stone in NY, and having it ship to NC or FL will save you the hassle of doing the tax-refund at the airport when you leave the US.
 
If GOG ships within NY, our sales tax here is 8.75 percent. So you can ship it to one of your relatives in one of the other states you listed. I love dealing with GOG, they are ACES....and also have heard amazing things about ERD as well. Good luck with saving and with your trip-sounds exciting!
 
Google "US sales tax table" and you can find charts like this one:
http://www.salestaxinstitute.com/resources/rates
Those rates would apply to a purchase made locally. The total sales tax is the state rate plus whatever the local rate is. Some locales have a local tax, some don't.
 
Many thanks to all of you for helping me, this is very useful information! :read: :-)
 
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