Leon Mege or local B&M?

[pannini]

So if you've followed me at this thread : https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/partita-in-san-francisco-custom-design-concerns-and-pave-workmanship.115911/ you will understand that I've been confronted with the dilemma of going with a local B&M who does wax casting for their designs or going with Leon Mege for a design that was inspired by his collection.

The final alternative is going with Brian Gavin for a wax cast design that the B&M would've done.

The problem is, the ring from the B&M is different from the Leon Mege ring. Both would be a pave setting (shared prong for B&M and mushroom pave for Leon). Bf will definitely try to negotiate the price down for the brick and mortar fyi....

local B&M:
specs:
shared prong
graduated shank
4 prong
peekaboo stone on the side
wax cast

cons:
$4200 quote (too steep for our budget)
not my original design idea, but sometimes seeing a ring in person changes all your preset ideas!

pros:
local
friendly and supportive salesteam
will always be there to fix, clean, replace lost diamonds in melee

Leon Mege:
specs:
http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=462&mode=search
similar to linked image, but mushroom pave
handmade!

cons:
long distance
communicating ideas or preferences may be difficult
not knowing of the design process (no images, etc until the end result)
repair, etc won't be easy to take care of by Leon

pros:
Leon's work reputation
it was the design i've been ogling for a long time
the mushroom pave is my first choice (but it could be the same thing as shared prong, i just wouldn't know if it's the same as the shared prong work at the B&M)

 

[mrssalvo]

I already commented on your other thread but I voted to go with Leon.

 

[pannini]

Btw if you vote for BGD or someone else to do handmade, please post who and/or why!

 

[kevind]

Leon is providing exactly what you want AND for less. You can use the $1000 difference to overnight ship the ring back and forth several times to get any diamonds replaced should they fall out. This is coming from someone that went the B&M route. I like having the store close but the difference is too much, in this case and the design exactly what you dreamed.

 

[purrfectpear]

Leon, ONLY if you want to buy a standard ring that he has already made and photographed. If you are thinking of making ANY changes, I do not think that you and Leon are going to be a good fit.

In your previous thread about B&M shopping you are quick to be offended "how dare she", etc. That is NOT a good personality trait for someone planning on working with Leon. Might as well save you the next post about how shocked you are with Leon

 

[Gypsy]

For me 4200 for a CAD and cast setting as simple as that one is RIDICULOUS!

3200 for Leon (are you sure that includes everything including the stones, just double check) is definitely better. And if you can hold onto your temper and deal with a Prima Donna Artist. This is going to be my vote. But I would call and talk to Leon first, and make sure you can deal with the Leon of it all.

If you CAN''T deal with Leon''s personality. I suggest BGD. I would call them up for a qoute anyway, just to see where they are at, talk to them and see what your comfort is with them, etc.

But the local folks are OUT for me. No. Freaking. Way.

 

[pannini]

Date: 5/26/2009 2:58:54 PM
Author: purrfectpear
Leon, ONLY if you want to buy a standard ring that he has already made and photographed. If you are thinking of making ANY changes, I do not think that you and Leon are going to be a good fit.


In your previous thread about B&M shopping you are quick to be offended 'how dare she', etc. That is NOT a good personality trait for someone planning on working with Leon. Might as well save you the next post about how shocked you are with Leon

hi Purrfect,

thanks for your candid input. as for previous B&M lady- i actually was offended in her tone of voice, she was grumpy with me and treated me like i was a child. the current B&M that we are considering is sweet and enthusiastic for our business. as for changes to Leon's rings, they are changes that are basic: such as his stock image is v-cut pave, and i requested mushroom pave, which he does on any of his other stock rings. so basically it's a specification limited to width (2.0 mm) and pave style (mushroom). i don't know if this is considered as making changes to his work if they are all his work from two different rings.

please let me know if that is something from your experience, as unacceptable standards for Leon. i am not really going to be shocked by Leon's treatment towards me if it is "difficult," only because i'd be expectant/prepared for it. (hopefully, LOL)

cheers.

 

[pannini]

Date: 5/26/2009 3:02:37 PM
Author: Gypsy
For me 4200 for a CAD and cast setting as simple as that one is RIDICULOUS!


3200 for Leon (are you sure that includes everything including the stones, just double check) is definitely better. And if you can hold onto your temper and deal with a Prima Donna Artist. This is going to be my vote. But I would call and talk to Leon first, and make sure you can deal with the Leon of it all.


If you CAN''T deal with Leon''s personality. I suggest BGD. I would call them up for a qoute anyway, just to see where they are at, talk to them and see what your comfort is with them, etc.


But the local folks are OUT for me. No. Freaking. Way.

thanks Gypsy, saw your previous comment on previous thread. it is pretty steep, isn''t it?! so bf will try to negotiate it, but have no clue the likelihood of them budging. we don''t want to offend them because we appreciate their kindness. if they can''t meet an acceptable rate (perhaps compare to BGD), then we will narrow it down to BGD or Leon. whew. will this EVER end? am i just unusually cautious?

 

[AprilBaby]

A Leon for me would be a ring of a lifetime! He seems worth the price.

 

[purrfectpear]

I don''t know what to say about Leon. For me, he''s always been polite, responsive, and darn affordable in quotes. I''ve not actually had him make a ring as I seem to be a procrastinator

The thing is, he can get a "tone" and he can get what some consider attitude (though I''ve not experienced it yet). If you happen to be at the catching end of that, well...you may feel it''s completely unwarranted and get upset. Then neither you nor Leon will be happy campers.

I have a thick skin, and I don''t care if I get along with people as long as I get what I want in the end.

If you go into it knowing what you want, can explain it clearly, blow off any attitude you may perceive, accept his pricing without a lot of questions, then I think you can have the setting of your dreams.

 

[icekid]

If it were me, Leon Leon Leon

 

[CharmyPoo]

Go with Leon and then stay out of his hair.

If I can make a suggestion, it will be easier on the regulars here if you just keep to one thread per topic in the future. There isn''t a need to start multiple threads on the same topic - your search for a jeweler.

 

[pannini]

Date: 5/26/2009 9:56:47 PM
Author: CharmyPoo
Go with Leon and then stay out of his hair.


If I can make a suggestion, it will be easier on the regulars here if you just keep to one thread per topic in the future. There isn''t a need to start multiple threads on the same topic - your search for a jeweler.

Thanks CharmyPoo, I''m a little embarrassed. Sorry to everyone on PS about the multiple threads, I am new but I am a bit "topic-happy" and "topic-compuslive" perhaps.

Duly noted, I will keep it to a minimum on multiple threading. (gah, so embarrassed, but glad you called me out on it now than never)

Thanks again everyone....

 

[CharmyPoo]

I hope I didn''t come off as mean - it was not my intention. Please don''t be embarassed at all. It was just a suggestion so we can keep track

 

[pannini]

No no not at all Charmypoo, I appreciate the tips. It''s the "newbie" in me! Gonna go call Leon now with my boyfriend, wish us luck, lol.