pricescope price

[Susiecushie]

Hi Everyone,

I was reading through the threads and it was mentioned a few times that pricescopers get a good deal on diamonds. I just bought a diamond with GOG and feel like I got a good deal. But was I suppose to ask for a pricescope price? Was I suppose to try to negotiate?

How do you all know when to haggle and when to not haggle?

Susan

 

[Gypsy]

I think GOG's "PS pricing" is just their wire discount, but I could be wrong.

To answer your more general question about when or if to haggle, it depends on the piece you are buying.

If you are buying a diamond you can compare prices with the "Resources" tab under Diamond search by putting in the stats and seeing what similar diamonds are going for at different vendors. Then ask for price matching or a price reduction by sending links to similar stones (you need to make sure they are very similar... cut quality, certification, color and clarity.)

If it is a setting, you can scope out different settings on different sites then follow up and ask for diamond and metal wieght where applicable to make sure you are comparing apples to apples.

If it is a 'stock' item that the jeweler just keeps on hand... like IDJewelry Online's pieces or Pearlman's pieces you can mention you are a PSer and ask for their best price. Or just ask for their best price and see what you think. Custom orders, even of stock pieces, can typically cost more than pieces in current inventory. Or there might be a discount the vendor is willing to offer on a piece in inventory that they wouldn't be able to offer on a piece they have to order in for you.

It's not okay for a vendor to give you anything of value in return for your posts, recommendations, or anything of that sort. So if a vendor ever says... well, I can give you a better price if you post on Pricescope raving about me, you need to report the vendor to PS. But they can give you a price break for being a member (like James Allen does)... the same price break they would give any member, regardless of whether or not you post positively about your purchase.

I don't really "haggle" with PS vendors and I am a negotiator by trade. If I want something I usually know what I am willing to pay for it depending on my research which will usually turn up a reasonable price range for what I want. If the vendor qoutes me a fair price and I like what they are offering, then I have a decision to make. If they don't, then I may say something like... "well, that sounds a little high, my budget, based on research (and I may describe what the research was) is about X. Can you work with that and what, if anything, would I have to compromise on to make my budget work?"

With 'regular' jewelers, the conversation is very different. I usually only use BMs for repairs. But if I am curious, I ask for their best price. Of course I usually walk away anyway, but you never know when someone is going to have a good deal for something.

 

[Susiecushie]

Thank you. I was wondering about that. I do feel like I paid a decent price but it was hard to compare because I got the august vintage so I didn't know exactly how to compare with other diamonds.

I did use the wire price so that was great.

Susan

 

[Gypsy]

I personally feel the August Vintage are just lovely, so CONGRATULATIONS! But they do come with a 'branded diamond' premium. It's also a convenience premium and a peace of mind premium. If you went for a 'real' vintage stone it might take a WHILE to find the right one, and even then the light performance might not compare to the August vintage, or the girdle could be really thin, or the grading unreliable. On the other hand you might pay less per carat for the stone. So it's a trade off and only you can decide where you stand on it. I know MANY long time PSers who have August Vintage stones so they clearly thought that the trade off was worthwhile. I know others who scour ebay, pawn shops and vintage stores looking for a vintage stone with a 'used diamond' discount. Only you can decide what's worthwhile to you. But I don't think the premium GOG prices at for these is outrageous.