I have a good idea of the parameters I'm looking for in an RB for an e-ring (which I hope to buy in the next 30 days or so). Without going into all the details, I've honed in on stones close to the 2ct mark. I've browsed the stock of several large vendors (James Allen, Whiteflash, Brian Gavin, Bluenile) and have noted 13 stones which satisfy my criteria. I will be getting the setting at a brick & mortar (probably London Jewelers or Michael C. Fina) and am wondering if it makes sense to try and source the stone from them (or another vendor in the diamond district) rather than through one of the online vendors. I work very close to the diamond district, so there are plenty of B&M options to explore (I can even set up at appt. at James Allen (which has 3 stones I'm interested in), which I'll likely do regardless). However, I'm not really interested in going to all the trouble of dealing with B&Ms if it is unlikely that they'll be competitive with the online vendors.
In PSer's experience, how likely is it that:
1. B&Ms will be at (or very close to) online vendors' prices from the start?
2. In the event that B&Ms do not generally offer prices similar to online vendors from the start, they will be competitive if I produce documentation for the 13 stones I've noted?
As a related matter, are B&Ms generally receptive to discussion regarding pricing available from online vendors, or are they likely to take offense?
Thanks for your continued help!
In PSer's experience, how likely is it that:
1. B&Ms will be at (or very close to) online vendors' prices from the start?
2. In the event that B&Ms do not generally offer prices similar to online vendors from the start, they will be competitive if I produce documentation for the 13 stones I've noted?
As a related matter, are B&Ms generally receptive to discussion regarding pricing available from online vendors, or are they likely to take offense?
Thanks for your continued help!