Leon Mege's new pricing key

[Maisie]

Now he is using cars as a way of letting customers know how expensive a setting is. I don't think its very useful at all. A basic setting is a 'Mini Cooper' while a blingy intricate setting is a 'Rolls Royce'. It still doesn't give a good idea of how much the starting price is going to be. I don't understand why he can't say 'Pricing for this setting starts at $2000' or whatever.

 

[MrsDrP]

I'm wondering the same thing! The setting I like says "Porsche"...I really hope that setting isn't as much as a porsche!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

If it says Rolls Royce, I know for SURE I don't need to ask the price!

 

[yssie]

'Pricing for this setting starts at $2000' or whatever.

Well, that would take away from the Mystique and Intrigue, wouldn't it? And we can't possibly have that!

I've noticed that a lot of vendors of stones and settings do this... and I'm with Kenny on this one - if there's no price (or at least some suggested price scale) posted odds are excellent I'm moving on and not looking back.

 

[rosetta]

Er, I find this sort cars-as-prices thing rather crass

To each his own I guess

 

[VRBeauty]

The boy just wants to have fun.

As a (proud!) MINI Cooper owner, I take no offense at this... and the pricing scale is probably pretty accurate on what I'd want to pay for bling.

But it is less than clear, not really jewelry-related, and I do see how someone could find it off-putting.

 

[MrsDrP]

I'm still confused.

Is he trying to say that the particular setting I like which he prices as a porsche is actually $90,000? (I know this cannot be true)

Cars and rings are two completely different things....why can't he just be like the Disney Dining Plan and use $, $$, $$$, $$$$? I get that he's trying to have fun, but this is more confusing to me than funny!!

 

[SomethingClassic]

I'm still confused.

Is he trying to say that the particular setting I like which he prices as a porsche is actually $90,000? (I know this cannot be true)

Cars and rings are two completely different things....why can't he just be like the Disney Dining Plan and use $, $$, $$$, $$$$? I get that he's trying to have fun, but this is more confusing to me than funny!!

While I think it is a little confusing as well - from a marketing perspective maybe he is looking at the lifestyle angle:
Are you a mini cooper owner (stylish, cool, well to do, but not breaking the bank), a Porsche owner (more flashy, wealthy, likes to show off), Rolls (rich and wants everyone to know it).

That's just my take - I think he should have just gone with the prices and left it at that.

 

[Maisie]

If it says Rolls Royce, I know for SURE I don't need to ask the price!

me too!!

 

[Maisie]

'Pricing for this setting starts at $2000' or whatever.

Well, that would take away from the Mystique and Intrigue, wouldn't it? And we can't possibly have that!

I've noticed that a lot of vendors of stones and settings do this... and I'm with Kenny on this one - if there's no price (or at least some suggested price scale) posted odds are excellent I'm moving on and not looking back.

I agree. It would also save him a lot of time and effort if he would give a clue about pricing. That way he could save sending so many price quotes. He is expensive and a lot of people probably can't afford him but ask on the off chance.

 

[ruby59]

I was reading his price quote page. Apparently he used to use stars. He explains why he does not price each specific item.

I was surprised to see that he has a best price, where he will match competitors.


Edited to add - at the bottom was that ever present * with a note that "certain restrictions apply."

Probably similar to trying to use a Macy's coupon.

 

[backwardsandinheels]

I don't like the new pricing. I'm a Ferrari in Leon's world, but I know a Ferrari and a Rolls Royce can be comparably priced. If we have to ask....we can't afford it, probably.

 

[MrsDrP]

I get that he can't give prices because most of his work is custom and the actual price is based off of the centerstone size, finger size, metal type, pave, etc....but he could at least give us a ball park figure! Like someone else said, give a "starting at $$$$" price and make note that it varies! How am I supposed to start saving up for one of these if I don't know how much I am saving up for???

 

[Skippy123]

If it says Rolls Royce, I know for SURE I don't need to ask the price!

super weird but kind of funny!

yeah or add a range 3-5k (I guess that one he would call a ford fiesta). lol

 

[Dancing Fire]

i wanted a "Yugo" setting...he hung up the phone...

 

[NOYFB]

This is yet another reason I will never buy anything from this man.

 

[Blue-Seeker]

Is it supposed to appeal to men? Because it sure doesn't appeal to me, as a woman. But perhaps men buying engagement rings would find this amusing? Edit: And if he's interested in selling to the Chinese market, he'd better add a "Buick" category, because I read recently that the Buick is preferred over BMWs and Mercedes by newly wealthy, young Chinese! ttp://red-luxury.com/2011/11/22/luxury-car-brands-and-their-chinese-stereotypes/

 

[Skippy123]

i wanted a "Yugo" setting...he hung up the phone...

 

[dani13]

You are talking about a man who at one point (don't know if he still does) gave discounts to professional football players. I was shocked when I found this out!! When I met him I asked if he gives discounts to nurses and others with jobs where they are giving back to others everyday and doing very important work, he just looked at me like I was an a** for asking and said, "NO" very matter of factly.

I don't think I will ever be purchasing from him.....lol

 

[minmin001]

I know nothing about cars...

 

[Rhea]

You are talking about a man who at one point (don't know if he still does) gave discounts to professional football players. I was shocked when I found this out!! When I met him I asked if he gives discounts to nurses and others with jobs where they are giving back to others everyday and doing very important work, he just looked at me like I was an a** for asking and said, "NO" very matter of factly.

I don't think I will ever be purchasing from him.....lol

I remember reading in his policies about the football player thing! I was so off-put by that. I get that he probably wants the status of having made some famous person's ring, but these are guys who make more money than god. Love the designs, dislike the designer.

 

[SomethingClassic]

You are talking about a man who at one point (don't know if he still does) gave discounts to professional football players. I was shocked when I found this out!! When I met him I asked if he gives discounts to nurses and others with jobs where they are giving back to others everyday and doing very important work, he just looked at me like I was an a** for asking and said, "NO" very matter of factly.

I don't think I will ever be purchasing from him.....lol

I remember reading in his policies about the football player thing! I was so off-put by that. I get that he probably wants the status of having made some famous person's ring, but these are guys who make more money than god. Love the designs, dislike the designer.

To be fair to Leon, I think he specifically mentioned members of the New York Giants who had just won the Superbowl - it was not all football players. So maybe he is a fan of the team and proud that they won, you can't really argue with that - he does live in NY.

I remember seeing it when I bought my wife's engagement ring and I did not think it was a big deal. The car thing is a little over the top but the football thing is nit picking imho.

It has been said many times that Leon is a businessman with a disposition that turns certain people off. There are a lot of people like him in NY, and I imagine a lot of the snooty people who purchase his jewelry are just as bad. I think its a little strange that there seems to be so much controversy about him in these forums.

 

[ame]

His attitude that a paying customer is not good enough regardless of their "station in life" is a big part of why I can't bear to buy from him. I also haven't purchased from him because he will deliberately set your stone low and put pave on a donut to prevent you from wearing it with another ring, despite the fact that there's no structural reason for him to do so. If I am paying you to make something for me, make it how I asked for it, and don't be a diva about it. And don't argue when I receive it and it's not to the specifications we discussed. This isn't my first rodeo. I know that setting it higher than you want to is not gonna be unsafe. If I tell you I think super low settings look silly and don't let the stone shine it's best, don't just do it anyway. I also know that I am PAYING YOU, YOU WORK FOR ME, not the other way around. Make it how I asked please. Further, make it to withstand actually being worn. And worn beside another ring. Because like most women, I want to wear my rings together. And I want them to last more than a week.

 

[nkarma]

I get that he can't give prices because most of his work is custom and the actual price is based off of the centerstone size, finger size, metal type, pave, etc....but he could at least give us a ball park figure! Like someone else said, give a "starting at $$$$" price and make note that it varies! How am I supposed to start saving up for one of these if I don't know how much I am saving up for???

You can always ask him for a quote. He doesn't like if you ask him a bunch of times, but you can say you are seriously looking into getting a setting done by him and would like to get a ballpark for like 3 of his settings. From the quotes, I have received from him and seen on here, most settings that involve pave are $3000-$5000. My guess is the mini is less than $2k, the BMW less than $3k, the next less than 4, and so on.

Hope that helps!

 

[MrsBettyBoop]

Yea, BMW starts @ 3K

 

[Imdanny]

Juvenile.

 

[MissStepcut]

As a consumer I have no patience for pricing ambiguity. If I had $100m in the bank I would still expect to see price tags on my potential purchases. I understand that custom work can change the prices, but that's where the term "starting at" comes from. I wonder if jewelers who price like this tolerate ambiguity when they're shopping...

 

[Emeraldcutlover]

Hi: This is to Aim - did LM reset your ring for free? I just received mine and it's also different than expected and he will only help alter it (for basically a new setting fee)..... ugh! Any suggestions? Thanks.