How does upgrade work for international customers

[La2020]

Hi

Has any one with experience with upgrading after purchasing from an overseas seller?

Is it prohibitively expensive for an international customers to perform the upgrade for purchases less than 3k usd?

What is the process like? What fees did u pay?

Context of this question : I tried to perform an upgrade with an US based seller. Halfway through the discussion, the company refused to honor its upgrade policy and stated that I no longer qualify for an upgrade, despite knowing that it has assured me that the upgrade policy applies to international sellers. After I had undergone the tedious process of finding out how the GST payment will be handled for difference in value after the upgrade process, the company is still very firm in its reply and seemly states that it is doing this for my own good. Quoted from its reply:

" what you described is only a portion of the process for importing and exporting. There are many more fees involved which would be the responsibility of the customer, on top of the qualifying 50% upgrade cost from the credited amount. Which is why the decision was made that for international customers upgrading is not available. "

 

[CathB]

Hi

Has any one with experience with upgrading after purchasing from an overseas seller?

Is it prohibitively expensive for an international customers to perform the upgrade for purchases less than 3k usd?

What is the process like? What fees did u pay?

Context of this question : I tried to perform an upgrade with an US based seller. Halfway through the discussion, the company refused to honor its upgrade policy and stated that I no longer qualify for an upgrade, despite knowing that it has assured me that the upgrade policy applies to international sellers. After I had undergone the tedious process of finding out how the GST payment will be handled for difference in value after the upgrade process, the company is still very firm in its reply and seemly states that it is doing this for my own good. Quoted from its reply:

" what you described is only a portion of the process for importing and exporting. There are many more fees involved which would be the responsibility of the customer, on top of the qualifying 50% upgrade cost from the credited amount. Which is why the decision was made that for international customers upgrading is not available. "

Oh gosh I hope you're not talking about James Allen. I'm from Sydney and hoping to upgrade next year sometime ...

 

[lissyflo]

Hi

Has any one with experience with upgrading after purchasing from an overseas seller?

Is it prohibitively expensive for an international customers to perform the upgrade for purchases less than 3k usd?

What is the process like? What fees did u pay?

Context of this question : I tried to perform an upgrade with an US based seller. Halfway through the discussion, the company refused to honor its upgrade policy and stated that I no longer qualify for an upgrade, despite knowing that it has assured me that the upgrade policy applies to international sellers. After I had undergone the tedious process of finding out how the GST payment will be handled for difference in value after the upgrade process, the company is still very firm in its reply and seemly states that it is doing this for my own good. Quoted from its reply:

" what you described is only a portion of the process for importing and exporting. There are many more fees involved which would be the responsibility of the customer, on top of the qualifying 50% upgrade cost from the credited amount. Which is why the decision was made that for international customers upgrading is not available. "

The taxes are your responsibility, it’s not for the retailer to decide whether the tax levels are onerous or not as they are secondary, and completely independent, to your transaction with the retailer. It sounds to me very much like the retailer is trying to dodge out of honouring your upgrade.

 

[Ionysis]

Oh gosh I hope you're not talking about James Allen. I'm from Sydney and hoping to upgrade next year sometime ...

Same here!

 

[MillieLou]

I think it is James Allen from the OP's previous posts

I upgraded through Blue Nile just fine. They do have a UK branch but it was effectively an international upgrade as they are based in the Republic of Ireland. They calculated all duties, taxes, etc and I was presented with the bill. It did take a week or so to calculate but was straightforward once done. I had to pay the tax on the full amount (not just upgrade difference) but they told me that upfront.

 

[tyty333]

This might be the other part of the story...

Would be customers of New World Diamonds beware; international upgrade options removed and questionable after service customer service

Dear all, Just to highlight this to you especially if you are considering or have purchased from NWD. The context is that when I was enquiring on the 2x upgrade options with NWD, they decided to remove it since they were unable to answer some of my questions. I am quite surprised since I was...

www.pricescope.com

 

[MillieLou]

Oh yes - just seen it's New World Diamonds. I knew the OP had bought from James Allen previously so thought it might be them, but seemingly not.

Sorry, just to answer your question more fully OP, the process went like this:

- I found a diamond that was >2x the cost of my previous one (taxes excluded)
- I contacted Blue Nile. They put the new diamond on hold for me, sent me their full upgrade terms and conditions to read and approve, and set about calculating the full cost with taxes (as they collect everything directly)
- About a week later, they got back in touch with the full price. I was happy to go ahead with this. At this point, they sent me a returns label (that I paid for). I sent it back.
- About a week after that, I was notified my old diamond had been checked and approved for upgrade (ie no damage). At this point I paid the extra price with everything included.
- About a week later, I was sent my new ring.

All very smooth and well handled.

Having to pay full taxes on the whole cost of the new ring rankled but I knew that this is the government's decision and not Blue Nile's. They were totally upfront about this. They also let me re-use my old setting despite having to put a new basket head on it - they didn't charge for parts or labour.

 

[Ionysis]

Phew! Not counting my chickens but it would be nice to be able to avail the JA upgrade option at some point.

 

[diamondhoarder]

Oh yes - just seen it's New World Diamonds. I knew the OP had bought from James Allen previously so thought it might be them, but seemingly not.

Sorry, just to answer your question more fully OP, the process went like this:

- I found a diamond that was >2x the cost of my previous one (taxes excluded)
- I contacted Blue Nile. They put the new diamond on hold for me, sent me their full upgrade terms and conditions to read and approve, and set about calculating the full cost with taxes (as they collect everything directly)
- About a week later, they got back in touch with the full price. I was happy to go ahead with this. At this point, they sent me a returns label (that I paid for). I sent it back.
- About a week after that, I was notified my old diamond had been checked and approved for upgrade (ie no damage). At this point I paid the extra price with everything included.
- About a week later, I was sent my new ring.

All very smooth and well handled.

Having to pay full taxes on the whole cost of the new ring rankled but I knew that this is the government's decision and not Blue Nile's. They were totally upfront about this. They also let me re-use my old setting despite having to put a new basket head on it - they didn't charge for parts or labour.

That sounds quite smooth. One thing I wondered about when reading your post - did you get chance to inspect your new diamond in person before committing to the upgrade?

I have returned a few loose diamonds in the past (fancy cuts) because they didn't quite live up to expectations in person, and when buying outside of an upgrade the returns policy is certainly a big factor for me. If spending double the original amount I feel like I would want to see the new stone in person before committing to the upgrade. How did you feel about this aspect?

 

[MillieLou]

That sounds quite smooth. One thing I wondered about when reading your post - did you get chance to inspect your new diamond in person before committing to the upgrade?

I have returned a few loose diamonds in the past (fancy cuts) because they didn't quite live up to expectations in person, and when buying outside of an upgrade the returns policy is certainly a big factor for me. If spending double the original amount I feel like I would want to see the new stone in person before committing to the upgrade. How did you feel about this aspect?

Good point - no, I didn't - this wasn't an option. And it was made clear to me that once the upgrade process was started, there would be no option to reverse it - ie the original stone would be gone. I would also not be able to get a refund (even of the difference between the upgrade and original). However, I would have the option of an exchange for a stone of equal or greater value.

In theory I could have bought the new diamond outright, inspected it, and then returned it and asked BN to hold it while initiating the upgrade process. I expect they would probably have accommodated this (they want to make a sale after all) but it would not have been guaranteed.

I was OK with this as between buying the first stone and upgrade I had learned to evaluate ECs and could clearly see that the new diamond was overwhelmingly more likely to be better than the original. But, yes, bit of a leap of faith...

Here is the full email they sent me when I enquired about the upgrade. It might be helpful as it isn't on their website.

I am pleased to confirm that your new diamond selection, stock number LDXXXXXXX, has been placed on reservation while we wait for our vault to confirmed availability of the diamond.

Before we set up your diamond upgrade, we would like you to review the information below and reply with your confirmation that you understand and agree to the terms and conditions of our diamond upgrade program.

Diamond upgrade orders are not eligible to be returned for refund under any condition. Of course, you may exchange for another diamond of equal or greater value once should you be unhappy for any reason within 30 days of your diamond upgrade order ship date.

Your original diamond must be returned in the same condition as originally shipped, and its grading certificate must also be returned, and in restockable condition to receive a full credit toward your exchange. If you no longer have your diamond grading certificate, or it is not in restockable condition, we will withhold the replacement cost of $150 from the credit which is non-refundable.

Our jewelers go to great lengths to use the utmost care when removing diamonds from its setting. Of paramount concern is maintaining the safety and security of the diamond however possible. This helps ensure we can provide you a full credit toward your upgrade. There is a high likelihood that the process of removing your diamond from its current setting will render the head of the setting in need of work to accommodate another stone or in some rare cases beyond use in the future [depending on the style and construction]. If you would prefer to receive a credit for material value of the setting, we can apply that to your diamond upgrade order instead of sending you back the setting. If you are uncomfortable with this potential for any reason, we recommend that either you do not proceed, or you discuss with your jewelry professional on how best to approach this important step.

Once complete, your original diamond will no longer be available and there is no opportunity to change your mind.
After receiving your agreement to these terms and conditions, we can provide you with detailed return shipping instructions and a return authorization number for your current ring should you wish to proceed.

If you need to reach out to me, please feel free to email or call in!
Thank you so much,

 

[La2020]

This might be the other part of the story...

Would be customers of New World Diamonds beware; international upgrade options removed and questionable after service customer service

Dear all, Just to highlight this to you especially if you are considering or have purchased from NWD. The context is that when I was enquiring on the 2x upgrade options with NWD, they decided to remove it since they were unable to answer some of my questions. I am quite surprised since I was...

www.pricescope.com

Thank you! Yes, this post is from New World Diamonds.

I am glad Blue Nile honor their policy. I wonder if James Allen allow for overseas purchase update.