price diff. btwn online and b & M

[shminbabe]

My preliminary checking shows no significant cost variation between stones offered by online vendors than those I''m comparing them to it the independent, local (not mall) jewelry stores. I guess I expected the prices to be significantly less by ordering stones online.

What has been your experience? I was a little surprised when prices seem to be pretty much in the same ballpark. I do have to dig a little deeper but so far the difference is not quite enough to make me purchase online, where I can''t compare a few stones at once.

What am I missing?

jeanie

 

[Sledneck27]

Date: 7/12/2007 2:24:41 AM
Author:shminbabe
My preliminary checking shows no significant cost variation between stones offered by online vendors than those I''m comparing them to it the independent, local (not mall) jewelry stores. I guess I expected the prices to be significantly less by ordering stones online.

What has been your experience? I was a little surprised when prices seem to be pretty much in the same ballpark. I do have to dig a little deeper but so far the difference is not quite enough to make me purchase online, where I can''t compare a few stones at once.

What am I missing?

jeanie

After extensively searching online, I''ve found the prices to be significantly less online, in some cases 1000''s. Are you sure youre matching same cut, color, clarity, Polish, symmetry, etc.....? So far my favorite online vendor for diamonds is James Allen.

 

[Regular Guy]

Are you also seeing diamonds with certificates from either GIA and/or AGS?

And, are you seeing anything like the range / amount of selections, for a price / carat point, you would otherwise have?

Price & selection are two biggies. If you have them locally...local is good.

Do you really have these. Give us the name of the stores!

 

[avlis]

ya, what they said...

be sure you are comparing apples to apples, at lest AGS000 to AGS000.

 

[jcl49er]

In my recent experience, I found online prices to be significantly lower for high quality stones. I think if you are only looking at carat, color and clarity, then I can see where you may feel local prices are on par with online. But where I noticed the biggest contrast in price was when I started looking at how well the stones were cut. Sure, you can get a 1.02CT, G, VS1 locally for around the same price as online. But I''m guessing it won''t be cut nearly as well. And if it is, it''s gonna cost you a lot more at a B&M.

 

[MWG]

I have bought from B&M and online and I found the best quality and price are the diamonds from the PS Vendors.

All diamonds are not created equal.........Cut is the difference.

I have bought 1 carat diamonds for $2000 dollars from B&Ms. Yes, it is a diamond, but cut quality is not there and it does not reflect light like it shouild. You can definitely see the difference in a well cut diamond and one with an average to below average cut.

MWG

 

[shminbabe]

I was able to compare some real stats w/ a b & m store today, with something I''ve got from an online vendor. With the stats nearly identical (we don''t know crown height in either case), the price difference was over $6,000 between online and brick and mortar.

Also the online''s color grade was one better!

When I asked about "wiggle room" she said there might be some but I can''t imagine they''d go down $6k, do you???

I''ve called another b & m store and gave them the same stats that I gave the online, and the other b & m store - upfront with all about my shopping around. Not having anyone "call in" a stone until I decide who I want to really buy this thing from.

I''m feeling more sure of my desire to go online.

I just feel confused about the whole issue of getting a setting sight unseen; what if I hate it once I try it on?

I need to find out where I can try on the Danhow Meno setting somewhere. I have one that I absolutely love.

I''m going for the Emerald shape, too! I think I''m finally deciding.

jeannie

 

[MWG]

We all understand your feelings about buying "sight unseen." But, PS vendors have a great return policy, just ask your vendor about their return policy. PS vendors have high reputations and they cannot afford to lose it by providing you with bad jewelry or service. From what I have experienced and seen, I believe PS vendors offer the best service and value for your jewelry dolloar.

MWG