Jeweler''s cost $1500 over internet-same exact stone

[JerseyWoman]

I have been lurking for awhile and have really learned so much from this website. It has certainly helped educate me on buying a diamond. I went to a jeweler that I trust completely and have used in the past. I told them I was looking for a radiant and they called one in for me. I found the exact, and I mean exact same measurements, size, grading report, everything is the exactly the same as I found on line. The B&M was $1500 higher than on line. I do want to go through my jeweler. How do I approach them about negotiating? I realize they have rent to pay, etc. and they have always been fair to me.

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Hey Jersey, welcome to PS

I would flat out tell your jeweler that you found a stone of like quality online for $1,500 less than what he is asking for his stone (don't say that they are the exact same stone, because no two diamonds are exactly the same). Tell him that you'd hope he could at least match the price because you'd prefer to give him the business as opposed buying online. See what he/she says. If he can't match it, then you'd be a fool to overpay just for the sake of working with him or her--you can always order your stone online and have your jeweler do the setting, or at least set the stone in a preconstructed setting.

Either way, give him/her the option to earn your business...or the option to lose your business. I'll bet he matches the price, by the way!!

 

[NelsonValley]

Well, I too have found the exact same stone but with two different online vendors, however, both would price match if I gave them the exact URL and called them on the phone but since then, I have now opted to purhcase my Diamond from Whiteflash.com as soon as I can decide on a carat weight... Anyhow going back to your post.. Can you just print out the information from the online vendor, and perhaps take it to your Jeweler and see what he can do? The only thing that I can see that he may say is that he will be purchasing the stone maybe for a little more than the online vendor could... Also he may just say that it might not be the exact stone, unless it has a certificate with it. The other part is, say he could get you a price break, I bet he won''t be able to give it to you for $1500 off maybe a few hundreds? it also depends how your relationship is with your jeweler? do you feel loyalty? or obligated to buy from him? Are you sure it''s the exact stone? crown % pavilion? EVERYTHING?

 

[oldminer]

Your situation is something retailer, B&M, jewelers face daily. There really is no way for a store to get their costs down to Internet vendor costs, but a store that wants your continued business may well accept a compromise versus no sale and a zero profit. Ask politely and show them your evidence. I imagine they will cave in a bit on their asking price. If the relationship with this jeweler has value to you, you will see if it has value to them very shortly by testing it. Good luck!

 

[CaptAubrey]

My guess is that they will come down but not by much. Margins these days on loose diamonds are pretty thin because of all the competition, and they have probably already come down about as far as they can afford to. Since your jeweler is working with a supplier that allows its lists to be displayed online (many jewelers will not, these days), they no doubt--as Dave says-deal with this every day and will have a standard response for you.

 

[niceice]

Date: 2/27/2008 2:29:17 PM
Author:JerseyWoman
I found the exact, and I mean exact same measurements, size, grading report, everything is the exactly the same as I found on line. The B&M was $1500 higher than on line. I do want to go through my jeweler. How do I approach them about negotiating? I realize they have rent to pay, etc. and they have always been fair to me.

This is something that retail jewelers have to deal with all the time, educated consumers who research their purchases prior to making them are a real hassle

I''m assuming that when you say "exactly" that you mean "exactly" and not similar... Same measurements, same lab report, everything is exactly the same. You''re just looking at the diamond in two different places. It happens because most jewelry stores get their diamonds from the same suppliers that the online vendors do, the marketing approach is the only thing that is different - along with the prices. Hey, those chandeliers cost money! $1,500.00 was the average cost of our store insurance on a monthly basis! Expect to pay more if you''re buying in a traditional B&M environment, simply because it costs more to conduct business that way.

At the end of the day, you have to do what works best for you... If paying $1,500 more for the exact same diamond that you found online is better for you, so be it. But then again, don''t complain when there is nobody around to change your watch battery in five years. Ever read the Wal Mart Effect? It was interesting, but I still buy most of the stuff I need online (I can change my own watch battery)