How do online retailers react to a customer asking "for the absolute lowest price"?

[Zoologico]

I''ve noticed that most online diamond retailers list a wire tranfers price as well as a credit card price.

This is great, but I would really hate myself if I didn''t ask for a better price than what is listed.

I don''t like to feel pressured NOT to ask either.

My experience is that most vendors will entertain your request, and be straight about what they can do.

Is this common practice?

I''d like to avoid making any faux pas when it comes to this process for it will be my first time and I think the 2 vendors I am currently considering will hopefully turn into a long term relationship.

Thanks in advance for your input and experiences.

 

[Patty]

I don't know which vendors you are considering, but SuperbCert does not discount their diamonds. I know 'cause I asked.

 

[hoorray]

I think it is reasonable to ask nicely if that price is the best they can do. Some will price match other vendors if it is a brokered stone. Others give a pricescope discount. Some don't discount since they are already squeezing their margin. It never hurts to ask if you accept the answer graciously.

 

[valeria101]

If you do not select the stone first, you would probably be shown the lowest quality stone around given the seller's assumption that you are already prepared to make compromises. I would expect that certain merchandise is harder to sell based on certain detracting points in no matter what shop, and that's what you are likely to be offered if you declare that price is a majo argument for you.

This is just a lesson from off-line shopping. Asking for a discount on already selected merchandise is rather usual, and I would no refrain from asking easily, unless some huge poster in the shop advertises "no bargaining". There's always a polite way to put it, I guess... What seller would not know that his customers would always be happier with a smaller price? You would probably be just as shocked as I am to hear what people bargain for!

 

[Nicrez]

I have been corresponding with so many internet dealers, that I was shocked to see an already low priced dealer write to me, "The prices that are shown on the list are flexible and if there is room to go lower I certainly will" All the stones where all quality colorless, VS1 stones with GIA certs, so color me impressed! It was www.usacerteddiamonds.com, anyone know if they are reputable? They are based out of Canada (and offer the Canadian mined Polar Bear diamonds), but can show diamonds in NYC, and "most large cities"... I say always ask, it doesn't HURT!

 

[Hest88]

It's conventional to bargain when it comes to big ticket items, though some vendors will have already presented their rock bottom price. It doesn't hurt to ask politely and if they say no, no harm done.

I've never used usacertdiamonds, but a lot of people have bought from them and so far I haven't heard anything negative.

 

[Shappy]

Hmmmm-when I asked usacerted diamonds if they could show diamonds in Los Angeles they acted like they'd never been asked that question before. When I said I saw it on your web-site, something was mumbled about having to "correct the web site". Bottom line--unable to show in Los Angles-maybe not a "larger city" LOL

 

[hoorray]

I purchased a stone last summer through USACerted, and had is shipped to an appraiser in downtown LA for evaluation before I purchased it. They were professional to deal with, they price matched the lowest listed price, and worked with me very well through the process of shipping it to evaluate before paying for it with an appraiser in LA. This was a case where it paid to ask about price. Their listed price was higher than some other vendors, and they matched the lowest price, no questions asked. (It was a brokered stone).

 

[Shappy]

Usacerted said they won't do this anymore in Los Angeles, talked to them last week. I was very surprised, and kind of shocked when they acted like they didn't know the web site offered to do this.

 

[niceice]

It's always okay to ask "is this the best price?" but the reality is that most of us selling in volume on-line have already cut the profit to the bone in order to maintain a fast turnover of our inventory so quite often there really isn't room to budge if you expect the dealers to be in business five years from now... The reality is that everybody wants the best price they can get, but the dealers also have to turn a profit in order to continue to provide you with the services that they do. So does it hurt to ask? No, but in most cases on-line, expect to discover that the advertised price is already the lowest price possible.

If USAC won't ship to L.A. perhaps they would be willing to ship the diamond to an independent GIA G.G. in another area for verification and evaluation...? Or how about San Diego? Yes, we know that it's a four hour drive from L.A., but Thom Sorenson-Underwood is an excellent resource there, a verified and trusted G.G., and it might be neutral common ground for you and USAC to meet upon.

 

[Nicrez]

usacerteddiaomnds DID have a contact for me in NY who was actually very useful. I have not bought anything yet, but Martin, the owner called me and spoke with me for a while regarding what I was looking for and getting the star treatment by this NYC company who was shoing me some diamonds. I was impressed so far.