Scott Kay Pricing Question

[ATLJ]

I have been shopping for a Scott Kay ring that my gf really likes and the stores I like have been quoting me 15% off of the list price. I go in to buy the ring today and they tell me Scott Kay contacted them because another store I visited that wouldn''t budge on the price had called them complaining that other stores in the area were discounting the ring so Scott Kay wouldn''t sell it to this store unless they showed them that I paid the list price. I agreed since I didn''t have time to deal with it and go to other stores but is this common practice? I am considering writing a letter to the owner/manager of the store that complained and to Scott Kay voicing my opinion even though it probably wouldn''t help or did I get tricked and taken for 15% more than I should have?? Luckily I read the forums and used all of the wonderful knowledge on the site to save a lot on the center stone so overall I still did very well. It is just very disappointing to deal with this type of non-sense for something I will be doing once my entire life and up until this point it has been fun learning about diamonds and trying to find the perfect ring.

Thanks,

J

 

[D&T]

hmm, when I was looking at a particular scott Kay ring, I found one online jeweler but I had to call in for a quote for the metal that I wanted, then I went to Jareds they carry scott kay as well, and they were actually under just by maybe $50 what pearlmans quoted me (granted that I would have paid sales tax as well) but that sounds odd that you had 15% higher. Maybe because you seemed rushed that he got away with it?

 

[ATLJ]

All of the stores have had the same price off the bat...for example let’s say $6,000 but would sell it for 15% off so it would be $5,100 + tax. When I went in to buy it and they told me about the complaint I had to pay $6,000 + tax instead of the quoted $5,100 + tax. I have never heard of a vendor mandate something like this in electronics, automobile or the computer industry so was thrown off and should have probably walked out but it is too late now. I know many times a store can''t advertise below a set price with the manufacturer but they can sell it below the price. Just curious if anyone has knowledge of Scott Kay''s practices and if this is normal or not?

 

[mrssalvo]

most designers do set the pricing for vendors and will remove their line if vendors get caught discounting. so, there is probably some truth. Some vendors will discount in other ways, taking more off a diamond therefore giving you a better price on the complete package. I'd call Pearlmans (they are the only Pricescope vendors who carry scott kay) for a quote, they do have a pricematch policy and at one time would give an additional discount if you could find the same item priced lower. if you aren't in MI you can save on the upfront salestax as well.