I had the store bring in a stone for me to look at (required a 500.00 deposit to do so). When I showed up, the store reversed the charges for the deposit before we ever discussed the deal. I'm in the market for a 1.04 to approx. 1.20 heart shaped E to H VS2-SI 1 eye clean). Few stores have them in house because they are not popular. I did some research and found out that I could get the same stone for up to 1000.00 cheaper from a vendor on this site (out of state no less). When I informed him of other's prices ( three had it listed for cheaper) he insisted that they must be different stones. When I provided the Cert # and told him where the inclusions were (it was clear that he had never seen the Cert) he huddled with his 'team' and admitted that it was in fact the same stone. He made some calls and eventually agreed to come down on price. We eventually agreed on a price that was fair to both of us (with me taking about a 300.00 hit, not to mention sales tax, for the sake of sealing the deal and for the services that he would offer post purchase).
We then tried to come to terms on a setting. I wanted a Simon G that had to be modified to accomodate the heart shape. He tried to sell me on a custom that he could put together that was very similar because he wasn't sure that Simon G would modify it and if he could/would it would be 'much more." I told him that I would give it some thought and get back to him the next day. The setting was to be white gold. When we returned the next day, my wife questioned him about the content of the white gold and expressed fears about it turning yellow. Mind you, this was after he brought out the stone for me to look at one final time.
At that point he got up and went to talk to his manager. Then the manager came over and told me that he had some bad news. He told me that he had sold the stone for their original asking price. I asked him why he would have me sit there for over an hour reviewing the stone and discussing the content of the setting, if he had already sold the stone. He replied by saying " we did retrun your deposit." I said that was an unethical move and simply left. Needless to say, I don't believe that he sold the stone, highly doubt that he bought it for their collection, and will be looking for it to pop back up in virtual inventories in the near future.
What I learned- If you truly want the best price, you would be a fool not to strongly consider buying online. You can't rush the deal- be patient and do your research because they more you know, the more unlikley you will be to fall for the 'razzle dazzle."
We then tried to come to terms on a setting. I wanted a Simon G that had to be modified to accomodate the heart shape. He tried to sell me on a custom that he could put together that was very similar because he wasn't sure that Simon G would modify it and if he could/would it would be 'much more." I told him that I would give it some thought and get back to him the next day. The setting was to be white gold. When we returned the next day, my wife questioned him about the content of the white gold and expressed fears about it turning yellow. Mind you, this was after he brought out the stone for me to look at one final time.
At that point he got up and went to talk to his manager. Then the manager came over and told me that he had some bad news. He told me that he had sold the stone for their original asking price. I asked him why he would have me sit there for over an hour reviewing the stone and discussing the content of the setting, if he had already sold the stone. He replied by saying " we did retrun your deposit." I said that was an unethical move and simply left. Needless to say, I don't believe that he sold the stone, highly doubt that he bought it for their collection, and will be looking for it to pop back up in virtual inventories in the near future.
What I learned- If you truly want the best price, you would be a fool not to strongly consider buying online. You can't rush the deal- be patient and do your research because they more you know, the more unlikley you will be to fall for the 'razzle dazzle."