Price Match

[3cd4her]

Anyone know if vendors price match and how well other than what''s noted on the diamond search page? For instance if a certain stone is listed by several vendors.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/4/2009 2:09:22 AM
Author:3cd4her
Anyone know if vendors price match and how well other than what's noted on the diamond search page? For instance if a certain stone is listed by several vendors.

I think if you find a diamond which is listed with multiple vendors and one is offering it at a lower price than the one you prefer to buy from, a price match might be possible, just ask in your particular case.

 

[shannon_dimendSCAASI]

I would add that every diamond is different. For example we have two 1ct G VS1 round brilliants here. Both are great quality and very pretty, but one is from a specialized production so it is several hundred dollars more. On paper there is very little difference, so why the price difference people ask. Well, if I take you around to different lighting and rooms you will start to see why. If you look at them in ASET and hearts & arrows scopes you immediately see why. Cut quality figures greatly into price, even when diamonds have same grades on paper.

Another thought. Sometimes sellers may quote you on the same diamond if they are working from a supply list. In that case you may want to look at all the extras and guarantees included in the purchase. They could be worth a little more depending on what you want.

 

[Allison D.]

If you ask for price-matching, are you willing to agree to service-matching too?

When a vendor''s prices are lower, it''s often because he''s been able to lower his costs by providing less in service. Drop-shippers are a classic example; they don''t incur the additional labor expenses involved to visually evaluate stones or to produce ASET/40x mag images, Idealscopes, etc. They often don''t offer return/buyback, etc. policies typically offered by full-service vendors, either.

Most full-service vendors won''t be able to price-match if they are offering these evaluation tools and better after-sale services.

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 2/4/2009 11:20:19 AM
Author: Allison D.
If you ask for price-matching, are you willing to agree to service-matching too?

When a vendor''s prices are lower, it''s often because he''s been able to lower his costs by providing less in service. Drop-shippers are a classic example; they don''t incur the additional labor expenses involved to visually evaluate stones or to produce ASET/40x mag images, Idealscopes, etc. They often don''t offer return/buyback, etc. policies typically offered by full-service vendors, either.

Most full-service vendors won''t be able to price-match if they are offering these evaluation tools and better after-sale services.

Great point.

 

[strmrdr]

It is a case by case decision.
Some vendors may offer to price match with downgraded services if the profit margin is to low and some may decline.
In other cases the profit margin may be reasonable enough to offer full service.

 

[Blinginator]

What about bargaining? Are the prices listed online negotiable? Has anyone had much experience in negotiating online prices for less than the posted amount?

 

[Judah Gutwein]

3cd4her,

It really is a mixed bag.

An important point for your consideration, it to compare all vendors on an even playing field.

As mentioned previously, there are vendors who add real value with the full service (before and after the sale), as well as the comprehensive level of documentation and information which they provide. These vendors may be less inclined to price match with a classic "drop-ship" vendor who simply attaches a database from the wholesaler and has the diamond shipped from them to you. The drop shippers have less invested in making a sale than the full service vendors.

At the same time, even if you are working with a full service vendor who does supply you with a high level of information, if you subsequently see the same diamond listed elsewhere (from a drop shipper) at a lower price, you shouldn't feel like you cannot ask for a price match, thus enabling you to secure the most information at the lowest possible price. You are entitled to ask and they are entitled to decline....free enterprise! In fact, you may just be doing the full service vendor a favor by informing them that you have seen the diamond for less elsewhere and giving them an opportunity to match the price. Indeed, nobody likes to do the grunt work and provide you with added value, only to lose the sale to a drop-shipper. It isn't pretty when a vendor feels like he's worked for a competitor to make the sale...

All vendors are completely cognizant of the fact that they share data-feeds of similar/identical diamonds from their respective wholesalers. They make a choice to drop ship or to provide full service. They also make a choice as to whether they are willing to price match under the given conditions within which they operate.


Best of luck!

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 2/4/2009 2:25:27 PM
Author: Blinginator
What about bargaining? Are the prices listed online negotiable? Has anyone had much experience in negotiating online prices for less than the posted amount?

doesn''t hurt to ask just don''t be upset if the answer is no.
If buying with a setting there is sometimes room to move a little in other cases their isn''t.
The margins are already very low on diamonds so there isn''t a lot of room to move on them.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/4/2009 3:05:55 PM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 2/4/2009 2:25:27 PM
Author: Blinginator
What about bargaining? Are the prices listed online negotiable? Has anyone had much experience in negotiating online prices for less than the posted amount?

doesn''t hurt to ask just don''t be upset if the answer is no.
If buying with a setting there is sometimes room to move a little in other cases their isn''t.
The margins are already very low on diamonds so there isn''t a lot of room to move on them.

In a nutshell!