Buying engagement ring... shady pricing?

[triumphtriple]

Hi everyone!

I'm trying to find an engagement ring for my amazing gf. We have known each other for 9 months and she is everything good I want to be. We are that couple that you want to yell at for holding hands all the time.

I went to Jewelers Row in Philly and had a odd experience, let me know what you think is the best way to handle this.

I went to a jeweler that I will leave unnamed for the time being. I only went to a few stores due to it being a Sunday and most were closed. I went to two long time dealers and one hole in the wall which I couldn't wait to get out of. Anyway, I went to one of the well established jewelers and found the perfect ring. I already have a 1.28 ct diamond that is being handed down from my mother. I luckily didn't expect this so I have way more money to spend on the ring. Its also a really high quality diamond.

So the gentlemen who helped me was very nice and easy to deal with, real down to earth and didn't seem like a used car salesmen. He wouldn't let me take a picture of it to show my mom, who just wants to be involved which is very understandable. Fine whatever, they have rules but seemed silly since none of the 8 jewelers I have been to ever had a problem. I was quoted a price that included setting my stone. I walked out very happy and excited to call my mom so we can go back next week to pay for it once she gives the OK.

Sorry for the back story and rambling but here is the problem. I was quoted $3700 for this ring. I went online to look up reviews on this jeweler and research them. Also to check prices. I went on their website and found the ring using their reference number and its listed as $2750 for the same exact ring!!!! I know you have to haggle for a better price but come on. I guess it costs $1000 to set the stone, lol. I am going to leave my thoughts to myself until I hear from everyone.

Here are the specs:
14K white gold diamond halo engagement ring with two princess cut side diamonds and round brilliant cut diamonds on top and sides, weighing a total of 1.08cts.

BTW: I really like this ring and it seemed perfect but I am not letting my emotions get in the way of getting a good price.


THANKS!!


https://a248.e.akamai.net/origin-cdn.volusion.com/moczd.yntdj/v/vspfiles/photos/P2R0231-2.jpg?1333025695

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Well, I wouldn't trust that jeweler for telling you an inflated price, first of all. Second, I am not sure about the quality of that ring, and I think you can get better quality for $3700 for sure. And you should be getting platinum or 18k white gold for that kind of money, and especially for an engagement ring.

I want to think of some fine quality brands that you might be able to find at a retailer in Philly that carries them.

First, the Vatche Grace is a beautiful and very fine quality ring and is only around $2200 in 18k white gold and $3000 in platinum.

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/grace-diamond-engagement-ring-by-vatche-256.htm (used this site for the pictures, but you'd go to the www.dvatche.com site to find retailers in your area)

Another brand that carries gorgeous antique style halo rings is Beverley K:

http://www.beverleyk.com/ (their site is not working correctly right now and I can't open the engagement rings to link some for you)

Then another brand with nice halo settings is Gabriel and Co., and these you can get in white gold or platinum. There are pages and pages of halo settings, and I think they look like better quality than the one in your picture. I am also quite sure there will be jewelers in Philly who carry this brand.

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/styles?style=Halo&per_page=72

 

[Enerchi]

http://www.tacori.com/Engagement-Rings
Have a look as well thru this site - you may find something similar and then under Where to BUy, post your zip code to find retailers in your area.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I love Tacori, too, but just so you know, those will cost considerably more than Vatche, Bev K, or Gabriel and Co.

I do encourage you to consider platinum, too.

 

[bagelboy]

I hope you already know that diamonds can be chipped during the setting process. I think you can get a jewelry insurance during the setting process so you can have it covered should something not go right. I would look into this while you are looking for a setting online.

 

[triumphtriple]

wow thanks for the help. I will be looking into those jewelery designers and finding where to get them. Any other suggestions of designers?

BTW that dealer was Safian & Rudolph Jewelers.

 

[triumphtriple]

I have another questions since I was looking at some designer rings but didn't find exactly what I was looking for on sunday. I was quoted a price and was told designer rings are not discounted and will not be. Is there any truth in this?

 

[Madison2]

I think for the price he quoted you can go elsewhere and get a Platinum Setting with Diamonds.
Good luck and let us know what you choose.
Another option would be to go to someone who can make the setting to match the designer ring and save money too!

 

[denverappraiser]

I have another questions since I was looking at some designer rings but didn't find exactly what I was looking for on sunday. I was quoted a price and was told designer rings are not discounted and will not be. Is there any truth in this?

This is quite the story. They won't match discount prices online prices from THEIR OWN website?!! Are they saying the web price is an error? Can you 'buy' online and then pick it up at the store? There just has to be more to this. It doesn't make any sense.

Anyone who wants to can call themselves a designer, they are welcome to charge whatever they want, and they can make whatever discounting policies they wish with regard to their retailers. Mind you, you don't have to care. There are no blanket rules and you are under no obligation to pay their asking price. You can always head for the door....

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Some designers require their jewelers to charge a standard price with no discount. We are talking about big name ring brands such as Tacori, etc. But there are vendors who discount, you just have to find them.

 

[triumphtriple]

I have another questions since I was looking at some designer rings but didn't find exactly what I was looking for on sunday. I was quoted a price and was told designer rings are not discounted and will not be. Is there any truth in this?

This is quite the story. They won't match discount prices online prices from THEIR OWN website?!! Are they saying the web price is an error? Can you 'buy' online and then pick it up at the store? There just has to be more to this. It doesn't make any sense.

Anyone who wants to can call themselves a designer, they are welcome to charge whatever they want, and they can make whatever discounting policies they wish with regard to their retailers. Mind you, you don't have to care. There are no blanket rules and you are under no obligation to pay their asking price. You can always head for the door....

let me clear that up for you. I went in person to this jeweler and found the ring I liked. He quoted me $3700 for the ring and to set my diamond center stone. I was not allowed to take pictures of the ring, since its their policy. I then went home and on the back of the business card a reference number was written. I searched the jewelers website and found the ring using the reference number. I then found pictures and a price of $2750 for the same ring. This is not a designer ring btw.

https://www.safianrudolph.com/product_p/p2r0231.htm

 

[Enerchi]

Would you consider purchasing online instead of from your local jeweller? He seems to have some ... "flexible"... pricing strategies that seem to favour him not you! Maybe he's actually a super business to deal with, but my gut is saying - go elsewhere. I've bought local and online and it can be stressful going online until you've really investigated the vendor, but for me, I'd only purchase online from here on.

PS was an amazing resource to learn from and my online purchases are probably better than the ones I've bought from B&M. Just throwing it out there for further consideration!

 

[Christina...]

You seemed to really like this person at first, so I don't think that I would run for the door just yet. Have you had a chance to ask him about the price discrepancy? If I really liked this particular jeweler and wanted to work with him, I would drop by or give him a call and ask him why there was such a large price difference between his online price and store price. Perhaps it's truly just a simple error. However, if he starts to sputter a bunch of nonsense, then I would take my business elsewhere. It would be an unfortunate mistake on his part as it puts him in sort of a sketchy light but out of fairness and if I were interested in working with him and his reviews were favorable, I'd at least allow him to explain and rectify the situation.

 

[triumphtriple]

You seemed to really like this person at first, so I don't think that I would run for the door just yet. Have you had a chance to ask him about the price discrepancy? If I really liked this particular jeweler and wanted to work with him, I would drop by or give him a call and ask him why there was such a large price difference between his online price and store price. Perhaps it's truly just a simple error. However, if he starts to sputter a bunch of nonsense, then I would take my business elsewhere. It would be an unfortunate mistake on his part as it puts him in sort of a sketchy light but out of fairness and if I were interested in working with him and his reviews were favorable, I'd at least allow him to explain and rectify the situation.

Thats the plan. I am going back to jewelers row tomorrow when all of the stores are open. I'll let him explain. It might have been a honest mistake but thats a big mistake to make. I am going to be looking at designer rings more closely. Thanks

 

[Christina...]

You seemed to really like this person at first, so I don't think that I would run for the door just yet. Have you had a chance to ask him about the price discrepancy? If I really liked this particular jeweler and wanted to work with him, I would drop by or give him a call and ask him why there was such a large price difference between his online price and store price. Perhaps it's truly just a simple error. However, if he starts to sputter a bunch of nonsense, then I would take my business elsewhere. It would be an unfortunate mistake on his part as it puts him in sort of a sketchy light but out of fairness and if I were interested in working with him and his reviews were favorable, I'd at least allow him to explain and rectify the situation.

Thats the plan. I am going back to jewelers row tomorrow when all of the stores are open. I'll let him explain. It might have been a honest mistake but thats a big mistake to make. I am going to be looking at designer rings more closely. Thanks

Good plan! Be sure to let us know how you make out and what you decide to do!