Questions about appraisals and bragaining for a newbie (buying from Cartier)

[sapx2]

hello,

So I''ve posted a few times before, and have received fantastic feedback. This site really is a blessing! Even after all of my research, I plan to buy a ring for my gf at Cartier. I know that I can get a similar stone cheaper online, but i really like the setting, and having a Cartier would mean alot to her. And, since she doesnt want a huge stone, I can get a .75 ct there thats within my price range... I just dont want this post to turn into a "you can get a better deal online" thread.

Anyway, with my purchase, I will receive both a GIA cert, as well as an independent appraisal. Prior to insuring the ring, should I get another appraisal, or is their appraisal really "independent"? If I should get another appraisal, can anyone recommend an appraiser in the boston area? And what is the approximate cost?

Also, does anyone have any experience bargaining with Cartier? I brought it up a little, but I still had a few places to look, and wasnt planning on buying that day. They are shipping some loose diamonds for me to view this week, and if I like one of them, I will most likely buy it (and they will set it in a their 1895 setting). Do I have a shot at getting some $$$$ off if I am ready to buy?

Thanks in advance for your help! THis is truly one of the best web forums I''ve come across.

Sean

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/20/2008 1:02:32 PM
Author:sapx2
hello,

So I've posted a few times before, and have received fantastic feedback. This site really is a blessing! Even after all of my research, I plan to buy a ring for my gf at Cartier. I know that I can get a similar stone cheaper online, but i really like the setting, and having a Cartier would mean alot to her. And, since she doesnt want a huge stone, I can get a .75 ct there thats within my price range... I just dont want this post to turn into a 'you can get a better deal online' thread.

Anyway, with my purchase, I will receive both a GIA cert, as well as an independent appraisal. Prior to insuring the ring, should I get another appraisal, or is their appraisal really 'independent'? If I should get another appraisal, can anyone recommend an appraiser in the boston area? And what is the approximate cost?

Also, does anyone have any experience bargaining with Cartier? I brought it up a little, but I still had a few places to look, and wasnt planning on buying that day. They are shipping some loose diamonds for me to view this week, and if I like one of them, I will most likely buy it (and they will set it in a their 1895 setting). Do I have a shot at getting some $$$$ off if I am ready to buy?

Thanks in advance for your help! THis is truly one of the best web forums I've come across.

Sean

Hi Sean!

How wonderful, to give your fiance a Cartier e-ring!! I guess it depends on your comfort level, I don't know how detailed a Cartier appraisal would be, although I would be inclined to think it should definitely be sufficient for insurance purposes and so you can replace like with like, should a claim ever be necessary. Perhaps one of the experts may be more familiar with a Cartier appraisal, and can chime in to help you.

Should you feel you would prefer an independant appraisal, here is a tool you can use to find an appraiser in the Boston area. It appears that Jeff Averbrook ( Modifiedbrilliant) who sometimes posts here, works in your area, he is a great guy!

http://www.pricescope.com/appr_list.aspx

I wish you luck with your purchase, and I hope we can get some pics of the ring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Dreamer_D]

As usual, Lorelei has answered your question perfectly! Don''t be surprised if you don''t get any more replies!

 

[anemone]

There is no shame in asking for a better price if you have the stomach for it. The most helpful attitude I have found is being ready to walk away. You may be 100% set on that Cartier but if they know that you are finished. There is RARELY room for bargaining if you do not carry dollar bills.

This is hardest with luxury brands. I''d play Cartier off of Tiffany or say "I''d love stone X, but I''d rather it cost the same as Y."

At the very least you should get 10% off if you pay in cash, but I don''t know the specific policies of the jeweler.

My style of bargaining is pretty direct and I''m satisfied with the results. It lets the seller know that I am not there to waste his time and appreciate his candor. I return these favors (and low prices) with loyalty and referrals, though too much loyalty means you are not prepared to walk.

That said, I never bargain with my tailors, contractors, or other personal services.

 

[IronMikey]

Just curious as to what city you were shopping in? I wanted a 1.7ish ct stone and the sales rep only searched for rings already set because she said that''s how they do things.

Anyway...as to your question, based on my reading here some people have been able to negotiate at cartier. I know from personal experience that Cartier will negotiate in general which T and Co won''t do. Knowing this, and knowing that sales reps likely work on commission, you can use the old "is this the best you can do" to try to get something accomplished. If you walk out nobody wins but as far as the sales rep knows only he or she doesn''t win.

I''m still up in the air as to whether to purchase a 1.75 ct cartier or a 2+ ct from an online vendor. Please post a follow up after your attempts to negotiate!!! Best of luck.

 

[sapx2]

Thanks for all of your responses. In response to a few of your questions, here goes...

I am shopping at the Cartier in Boston. The rep looked for loose stones because they didnt have any in my price range to my liking that were already set in a small enough ring. Apparently they wont size up/down a ring more than 2-3 sizes, because it could compromise the integrity of the setting.

I follow up with my bargaining success (or lack thereof). I am of the opinion that in the current econmy, I have a decent chance of getting at least a few hundred dollars off. I will completely play the "Cartier vs Tiffany" card, because I have the copy of a Tiffany cert for a diamond with the exact same specs as Cartier''s... only it was close to $1000 less.

Oh, and just to throw me for a loop, my gf was talking today about how cool a custom ring would be... if i''m not 100% in love with the stones I see at Cartier, i think i may go that route!

Thanks again for all of your help!

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Hey, Sapx2, I was just at the Boston Cartier today and was admiring the lovely solitaire in the 1895 setting they have in the window. So pretty. (I was also admiring the tri-color pave rolling bracelet...GORGEOUS!) Anyway, I bought a Trinity One--the rolling ring with pave on the white gold band--from that Cartier about a year and a half ago. I promptly canceled the order when I had buyer's remorse, but I did try to negotiate (I think at the time the ring was just over $6k) and they wouldn't negotiate at all. They certainly might be more flexible on pricing with their e-rings, but I just wanted to let you know my experience.

Also, if it's just the setting and name you love, you might consider this Signed Pieces ring. This stone is right at 1 carat and is in the 1895 setting:

http://www.signedpieces.com/item.cfm?item_id=4960

ETA: I know you said you weren't going to consider buying online, but I'm not sure if you've ruled out Signed Pieces. Also, this ring is a size 4--it sounds like your gf has teeny fingers

 

[sapx2]

So I just wanted to give a quick update, and of course a huge thanks, to everyone here! I went to Cartier Boston on Thursday afternoon, and was shown 2 loose stones... both were G VS1, ex/ex/ex in sizes of .73ct and .81ct. Both were beautiful stones. The sales rep even allowed me to run them through the HCA on their computer, and I was a little surprised at the results. The .81 had much more sparkle and fire than the smaller one, yet scored much lower on the HCA (it scored 3.6, and the .73ct scored 1.2). I ended up going w/ the larger stone, as it was absolutely beautiful, and it is now being set in NYC, and will be ready in 2-3 weeks, although i could have gotten it sooner if necessary.

However, I was not able to negotiate the price at all! They do, however, offer interest free financing for 1 year, with a 12 month equal payment plan. That alone was a perk, considering that some of the other B&Ms I went to did not offer very competitive financing, and even my credit cards could only go as low as 4% for 1 year (for any online purchase).

So once i figured in all of the finance charges, going interest free w/ Cartier wasnt much more expensive than shopping elsewhere, and I get the setting and service that I wanted for my gf. And I was very happy that they brought some loose stones in for me to look at. After all of the time and effort i put in, i am happy with my purchase, even though I may have been able to get a slightly larger stone at GOG or WF. Hopefully my gf will be just as excited in a few weeks. I will post some pics as soon as I get the ring, but below are the stats. Thanks again!

Sean

Cartier 1895 Solitaire
$8975
0.81 ct - G - VS1 - ex/ex/ex
Depth = 62.5%
Table = 56%
Crown = 36 degrees
Pavilion = 40.8 degrees
Culet = none


Thanks to everyone on PS!