why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good deal?

[RockyRacoon]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

...and that's how you keep customers coming back.

Great job, JA!

 

[icenoob]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

whoa!

I will send my contact info immediately.

 

[babs23r]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

Let us know what happens!!!!!! We're rooting for you!

 

[RockyRacoon]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

It seems like it was a significant error though. It would be gracious of them to offer a discount (and a wise choice if they want to sell the diamonds that the O/P was considering) but I think it is unfair to expect them to take a loss of that magnitude. My house was listed in the thousands instead of hundreds of thousands. I should have given it away? Mistakes happen.

There is an obvious distinction here:
You own a single house, you are not in the business of selling houses.

If your realtor made that huge error, I would certainly fire the realtor and hire a real professional. That is incompetence and lack of attention to detail - two things you don't want in someone showing your property.

Mistakes *do* happen - it's how you respond to them that matters.

JA has done a great job of responding here, and that is the distinction that separates the businesses people recommend from the ones they speak badly about. Who wouldn't feel good purchasing from JA when you know they care and are willing to go the extra mile to make things right? That is how you bring in new business and earn repeat customers!

 

[Laila619]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

While it would be nice of JA, they certainly do not have to do anything, nor would I fault them for not doing anything. Most websites state at the bottom that they reserve the right to change prices or fix mistakes, and that they cannot honor pricing errors. JA is a great vendor. Mistakes happen.

That said, hope you can work something out, icenoob!

 

[Niel]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

This reminds me of a law we have in michigan where, something along the lines of, they have to charge what the item is advertised for, and if they dont, you get refunded the difference. If its clearly marked and an automated teller charges more, something like that. Called the Scanner law or something. Thats for cans and stuff, but you get the idea haha

 

[kenny]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

Let us know what happens!!!!!! We're rooting for you!

Not me.
I'm not rooting for either "side", and this is not some sporting event.

I do not see an evil monster or a harmed victim here.

 

[babs23r]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

Kenny,
Where is your spirit of good will? I think that JA is reaching out to a distraught customer and is trying to make them happy.
A chill pill or a nice glass of wine may help!!!!! ( just kidding)......

 

[kenny]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

Kenny,
Where is your spirit of good will? I think that JA is reaching out to a distraught customer and is trying to make them happy.
A chill pill or a nice glass of wine may help!!!!! ( just kidding)......

Picking sides and rooting is not goodwill.
Goodwill would be graciousness to both parties involved.

This is an unfortunate human error, and I'm sure JA will do something gracious like they and other PS vendors have done before.
What else can they do?
They were caught with their pants down on the Internet.
The Internet has brought PS vendors tons of business, but issues brought out in public is the other side of the coin.

Also I'm sure JA will reexamine their processes to prevent future costly and embarrassing booboos.

Now, I'll take a nice glass of Pinot Noir, please.

 

[babs23r]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

I prefer to think of it as David vs Goliath, but all in good fun of course. I am a JA fan and will keep them in mind when my "cushion dream" becomes a reality!!!!!

One glass of Pinot Noir will be delivered. Where do I send it?

 

[RockyRacoon]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

People (whether corporations or individuals) need to take responsibility for their actions.

It didn't seem like anything was being done about it, so a number of people spoke up.

JA stepped up to the plate and offered a solution [something that could (and probably should) have been done initially, to avoid this whole discussion].

Regardless - Kudos to JA.

 

[Laila619]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

This is on their website (and nearly ALL other jewelry vendor's websites):

While James Allen makes every effort to ensure that our products are described and priced accurately, in the event that an item is deemed to be priced incorrectly, James Allen reserves the right to refuse sale that item. If the pricing error is discovered after payment has been finalized, James Allen reserves the right to cancel the sale and refund the transaction in full.

So JA is being more than kind and fair about this.

 

[kenny]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

One glass of Pinot Noir will be delivered. Where do I send it?

Need you ask?
Of course I'm staying at the $65,000 per night Royal Penthouse Suite, Hotel President Wilson, in Geneva, Switzerland.

"There's nowhere better to stay than the Royal Penthouse Suite at the Hotel President Wilson Hotel, which has panoramic views of Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc.
With bulletproof doors and windows, it’s the perfect safehouse for visiting heads of state, or privacy-conscious celebs, like Kenny.

Taking up the entire top floor of the hotel, the suite has its own private elevator to whisk guests to an apartment with 12 rooms, which hold a Steinway grand piano, billiard room, library and private fitness center."

Doesn't everyone live here?

 

[Christina...]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

I don't live in neilseel state, but in Maine if there is a typographical error then the individual or company has the right to correct it and it's clearly stated at the bottom of every advertising flyer. I think this is fair. Mistakes happen TO EVERYONE!! I certainly wouldn't want to be held responsible for an error that a printing agency made, nor do I think that a business should have to. If I incorrectly list my diamond for $600 instead of $6000 on diamond bistro, should I be held to that error or should I have the right to correct it? Why are larger companies held to a different standard?

As far as the David and Goliath comment, I think that you would be surprised by the margins that JA and similar companies work on. Holding them responsible to cover any errors will only raise the price of products for the rest of us. I'm personally not willing to do that simply because someone wants a deal that even they had questioned. I'd refer you back to the title of this thread "why is this engagement ring + wedding set so cheap?' OP obviously felt that something wasn't quite right, but yet wants the company to come good for it.

While I admire JA for committing to work with the OP, I certainly don't feel that they have a responsibility to, and I certainly don't feel that if they decide not to that it should reflect upon them negatively. They remain an HONEST and TRUSTWORTHY vendor that appears to go out of their way to make their consumers happy...as I feel all PS vendors do. I believe it was unfair to put JA on the carpet for this on a consumer forum and insist that the only correct way to resolve the issue is to honor the error.

 

[Christina...]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

One glass of Pinot Noir will be delivered. Where do I send it?

Need you ask?
Of course I'm staying at the $65,000 per night Royal Penthouse Suite, Hotel President Wilson, in Geneva, Switzerland.

"There's nowhere better to stay than the Royal Penthouse Suite at the Hotel President Wilson Hotel, which has panoramic views of Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc.
With bulletproof doors and windows, it’s the perfect safehouse for visiting heads of state, or privacy-conscious celebs, like Kenny.

Taking up the entire top floor of the hotel, the suite has its own private elevator to whisk guests to an apartment with 12 rooms, which hold a Steinway grand piano, billiard room, library and private fitness center."

Doesn't everyone live here?

Only if they mis-advertised the cost per night at $65.00

 

[Christina...]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

It seems like it was a significant error though. It would be gracious of them to offer a discount (and a wise choice if they want to sell the diamonds that the O/P was considering) but I think it is unfair to expect them to take a loss of that magnitude. My house was listed in the thousands instead of hundreds of thousands. I should have given it away? Mistakes happen.

There is an obvious distinction here:
You own a single house, you are not in the business of selling houses.

If your realtor made that huge error, I would certainly fire the realtor and hire a real professional. That is incompetence and lack of attention to detail - two things you don't want in someone showing your property.

Mistakes *do* happen - it's how you respond to them that matters.

JA has done a great job of responding here, and that is the distinction that separates the businesses people recommend from the ones they speak badly about. Who wouldn't feel good purchasing from JA when you know they care and are willing to go the extra mile to make things right? That is how you bring in new business and earn repeat customers!

But you still wouldn't sell your house for a thousand dollars right? Who's to say that JA doesn't contract out and pay someone else to list items on it's website? Is it still JAs fault or the company that incorrectly listed the price? If you aren't responsible for an error on your realtors behalf why should JA be responsible?

 

[RockyRacoon]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

It seems like it was a significant error though. It would be gracious of them to offer a discount (and a wise choice if they want to sell the diamonds that the O/P was considering) but I think it is unfair to expect them to take a loss of that magnitude. My house was listed in the thousands instead of hundreds of thousands. I should have given it away? Mistakes happen.

There is an obvious distinction here:
You own a single house, you are not in the business of selling houses.

If your realtor made that huge error, I would certainly fire the realtor and hire a real professional. That is incompetence and lack of attention to detail - two things you don't want in someone showing your property.

Mistakes *do* happen - it's how you respond to them that matters.

JA has done a great job of responding here, and that is the distinction that separates the businesses people recommend from the ones they speak badly about. Who wouldn't feel good purchasing from JA when you know they care and are willing to go the extra mile to make things right? That is how you bring in new business and earn repeat customers!

But you still wouldn't sell your house for a thousand dollars right? Who's to say that JA doesn't contract out and pay someone else to list items on it's website? Is it still JAs fault or the company that incorrectly listed the price? If you aren't responsible for an error on your realtors behalf why should JA be responsible?

If JA farms out their listings, they better fire that company, because their only job is to get pricing right - and they failed. JA has to take responsibility for whatever goes on behind the scenes because they are the 'store front.'

Incidentally, I definitely don't think this is what JA does, as this would be a pretty poor business model and would greatly diminish quality control.

I am not saying they have to honor the price. I am simply saying they should make it right. Whether this be or discount, or some other incentive to ease the consumer's mind. This is basic, good business practice. No one is telling them they have to do anything.

This is Business 101.

 

[RockyRacoon]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

I think that you would be surprised by the margins that JA and similar companies work on.

I think you might be surprised to discover the actual margins, based on volume. There's a reason people enter this business and it's a concept Economists call 'normal profits.'

 

[icenoob]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

Wow, lots of replies!

So the reason I posted is because I don't know anything about jewelry. I can barely tell a good deal from a bad one. But, one thing I've learned is that its very easy to buy something essentially broken. I know that Diamonds have inclusions, but I'm not sure how the rings work so there was a side of me believing that there's something wrong with it physically. I mean, if I knew it was a good deal I wouldn't ask lol.

I was so naive
"Does the engagement setting look great for someone on a budget?"

Anyway, I'm talking to them offline and seeing if something can be worked out. I am surprisingly leaning towards the Ritani. I had just realized my girlfriend had a reaction some metals before, and the Ritani is very cheap when even made in Platinum. Platinum with only Iridium and no Nickel would set aside all fears. I mean, $700 for a great ring in Platinum? Hard to pass on.

http://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/tulip-airline-solitaire-engagement-ring-in-platinum/5660

 

[VRBeauty]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

Icenoob - Nice setting, very elegant head and prongs!

 

[Christina...]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

I agree, it's a beautiful solitaire, and looks very well made. I love the lines on the head and the prongs.....

 

[babs23r]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

I love the setting also. Really looks substantial and is so classic!

 

[Niel]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

I love the setting also. Really looks substantial and is so classic!

Yes I love ritani so well made. If I go solitaire that's going to be my setting.

 

[jmarshall]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

I can understand selling a customer a can of corn for the incorrect price of 59 cents, instead of the correct price of 79 cents, but not when a product costs hundreds or thousands of dollars.

... and I think it's not cool to use the Internet to bully a vendor into doing YOUR interpretation of what's 'right'.
I think it's fine to bring up an issue, but then the vendor can respond as (s)he sees fit.

I've eaten mistakes in the range of $10K before. It happens.

 

[icenoob]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

How sold is everyone on the Head vs the Prongs?

What if, for example, I try to go with this from Jamesallen:
http://www.jamesallen.com/#%21/engagement-rings/solitaire/18k-white-gold-double-bevel-knife-edge-engagement-ring-item-7850

and ask for the Prongs replaced with split prongs? is that equivalent in prettyness? because I really like the one Diamond from Jamesallen, that I can't find in similar pricing at Whiteflash/Ritani:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/3-ideal-scopes-in-need-help-choosing.186276/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/3-ideal-scopes-in-need-help-choosing.186276/[/URL]

that 184425 is something like $2850:
http://www.jamesallen.com/?q=comfort%20fit#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.92-carat-K-color-SI2-clarity-sku-184425

Its essentially cheaper for me to stick with JA. As I fear I'd be losing Diamond quality going to Ritani or Whiteflash.

However, I will have the head of the JA, not the Head of the Ritani.

 

[Niel]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

Well you definitely wouldn't lose diamond quality going with whitedlash . Also gold old gold sells ritani. What was your total budget? And I'm sure this is too late in the game to ask but, does it have to be a round?

I ask only because good old gold could be an option if your budget was around 4k like you said in a pppost
All under 4k
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10281/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10387/ (faces up different but i know a lot of ladies strive for that "its a ct" feeling)
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10163/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9900/

 

[icenoob]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

Well you definitely wouldn't lose diamond quality going with whitedlash . Also gold old gold sells ritani. What was your total budget? And I'm sure this is too late in the game to ask but, does it have to be a round?

Hi nielseel,

I really only chose round because I'm shopping this blind and her friend is really keen on round. I've seen my girlfriend look at Tiffany rings/diamonds which were the standard round type, but then tell people she'd be fine with a $500 ring as long as I propose at some point this lifetime

She knows I'm on a budget and couldn't afford a Tiffany. All this strategizing and searching, learning from you experts here, has put me in a position to buy these 0.9 carat quality at a fraction of tiffany's price yet similar in quality to a degree. Its going to certainly destroy anything we've seen local by leagues, as we only have overpriced items in Canada.

I really want to surprise her, catch her off guard, and impress her with my choice. Without any hint to her.

Of what I'm looking for, something around here:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/3-ideal-scopes-in-need-help-choosing.186276/#post-3393838#p3393838']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/3-ideal-scopes-in-need-help-choosing.186276/#post-3393838#p3393838[/URL]

If you're not keen on round, why and what's your alternatives ?

 

[Niel]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

Well i am a unique kind of gal, and though rounds are the easiest to find and the most " sparkle", they jsut seem to "typical" for me. I your girlfriend loves classic, then stick with around, but rounds are usually the most expensive, and you could probably branch out and get a larger ctw stone i you look at emerald or asscher cuts. Or ovals, and those face up larger per ctw too. I dont mean to throw you off, im just saying theres a whole world out there, and fancies are something good old gold is really good at (and they sell that setting)

if you think she would appreciate something more unique ,its a good route to look at

 

[RockyRacoon]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

I can understand selling a customer a can of corn for the incorrect price of 59 cents, instead of the correct price of 79 cents, but not when a product costs hundreds or thousands of dollars.

... and I think it's not cool to use the Internet to bully a vendor into doing YOUR interpretation of what's 'right'.
I think it's fine to bring up an issue, but then the vendor can respond as (s)he sees fit.

I've eaten mistakes in the range of $10K before. It happens.

Just part of running a business that customers can rely on.

I'm sure you have a lot of repeat customers, with many referrals.

Sometimes mistakes are expensive, but they're way more expensive if you don't learn from them!

 

[jmarshall]

Re: why is this engagement + wedding set so cheap? good dea

I can understand selling a customer a can of corn for the incorrect price of 59 cents, instead of the correct price of 79 cents, but not when a product costs hundreds or thousands of dollars.

... and I think it's not cool to use the Internet to bully a vendor into doing YOUR interpretation of what's 'right'.
I think it's fine to bring up an issue, but then the vendor can respond as (s)he sees fit.

I've eaten mistakes in the range of $10K before. It happens.

Just part of running a business that customers can rely on.

I'm sure you have a lot of repeat customers, with many referrals.

Sometimes mistakes are expensive, but they're way more expensive if you don't learn from them!

I have a ton of repeat business, and about 75% of new customers hear of us through referrals.