Why was my WF quote so high?

[Ellen]

Date: 2/13/2008 6:17:40 PM
Author: Maisie
ooh dear! that came out rather large lol!!

I''d say!

 

[Maisie]

Date: 2/13/2008 6:22:47 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 2/13/2008 6:17:40 PM
Author: Maisie
ooh dear! that came out rather large lol!!

I''d say!

Well just take care my massive head doesn''t sit on your little slapping person and squash him!

 

[Loves Vintage]

Date: 2/13/2008 5:37:10 PM
Author: metro
LovesVintage - we have the same tastes in jewelry! Your ring is the ring I have in my fav''s folder and the picture I''ve been toting around with me!

6K is with the stone. They say it''s a 0.77 OEC I/VS - it''s beautiful with a teeny-tiny culet. I looked at it through a 20x microscope. No, they won''t sell just the semi-mount to me. Plus, she said the ring will not accomodate my size stone. I''d be all over it IF I had the money! Damn, I need to win the lotto!

Oh, yay!! It''s so neat to see a pic of a similar ring. Is the key-hole opening in the shape of a heart?????? Is there a fourth diamond on each of the sides, after the opening? I wonder if the same person made them. What a small world.

I''m sure the ring in your picture was handmade. As far as I can tell, when a "replica" ring is made from a mold, it is very difficult to replicate the delicateness of the setting. So, maybe this is a blessing in disguise. I am fairly certain that Singlestone hand makes all of their settings, so you should definitely check with them.

I think my setting was about $2,200. It is platinum. It had another OEC in it, which they swapped out for my stone (that we got from the same place). I have no idea how they come up with pricing, but since it is an old ring, it must be based in part on how much he took it in for.

I would love to see more pictures of that setting. I wish I knew more about my ring.

 

[coatimundi_org]

Date: 2/13/2008 4:43:47 PM
Author: Ellen
I agree metal prices have risen.


I also agree to make sure you're comparing comperable vendors in regards to their work.


I also wonder if strms statement might not ring a bit true on being a tad aggressive on pricing?


And, business is business.



I recently got a quote from them and another comperable vendor on a very simple custom setting. There was a $1000.00 difference, with WF on the higher bid. As much as I like WF, and wanted to work with them, I simply can't/couldn't justify that.



Lastly, glad to hear it wasn't just me, either.

Hiya,
I had a similar experience--well, two experiences. I had two custom jobs in mind and the two separate quotes were each about 1000.00 over the other online vendors I contacted.

Twas my first experience inquiring over at Whiteflash, and I thought I could get the same quality for less at another reputable vendor.

I see so many beautiful custom pieces on PS from Whiteflash--but my frugality always wins in the end.

I thought it was just me too!

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 2/13/2008 5:53:41 PM
Author: phoenixgirl
I think it's the invisible hand of economics at work. With their superior reputation, there is increased demand for their work, so they can charge more. Enough people are willing to pay higher prices that they are receiving just the right amount of work for their capabilities. Should they charge less just to receive more jobs than they can handle at their current capacity?

they run the very real risk of pissing off the very people that made them famous and losing that reputation, its a huge balancing act.
The PS shoppers are amoung the smartest shoppers in the world.

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 2/13/2008 6:48:04 PM
Author: strmrdr

Date: 2/13/2008 5:53:41 PM

Author: phoenixgirl

I think it''s the invisible hand of economics at work. With their superior reputation, there is increased demand for their work, so they can charge more. Enough people are willing to pay higher prices that they are receiving just the right amount of work for their capabilities. Should they charge less just to receive more jobs than they can handle at their current capacity?

they run the very real risk of pissing off the very people that made them famous and losing that reputation, its a huge balancing act.

The PS shoppers are amoung the smartest shoppers in the world.

i agree. and if there are $1000 differences in price quotes b/t two equally talented companies, PS''ers will catch on quick and their $''s will go elsewhere..

 

[Allison D.]

For me, this thread is really an essential example of what makes Pricescope so valuable and so unique. The quality of the input is really to be commended; so many of you have offered very thoughtful insights on the various factors that might influence the way custom pieces are priced.

Every vendor’s goal is pretty much the same: to structure his costs in a way that allow him to cover his expenses and realize a reasonable profit. It’s important to realize that costs can vary from vendor to vendor depending on their business models.

Labor costs will vary with the number of employees; it costs more to support 50 employees than to support 4. Administrative expenses will be higher for companies that offer various photos and technologies while less for those that don’t.

As Storm pointed out, experienced craftsman with a high level of expertise cost more than less experienced benchmen. This is true of most businesses, and I’m sure you gals who’ve gone to a “master colorist/stylist” will readily understand the concept.

I could get ‘a haircut’ at several different types of providers, but the price for that haircut will vary greatly depending on who I choose: a barber may charge me $8; Supercuts will charge me $14.95; the slightly more upscale salons may charge $45. A ‘master stylist’ in my city charges upwards of $200. It’s up to me as the customer to determine what services I value and choose the model that most closely aligns with those values.

The same is true of jewelers. Every vendor has different strengths to offer (including quality of stones/workmanship, level of expertise, customer service, warranties, trade-up policies, buy back policies, inspection periods, etc. There are enough different models to offer something for every type of consumer; we encourage you to pick the one that’s right for you.

 

[Maisie]

So I take it I won''t get a better price because I am lovely?

 

[Ellen]

Date: 2/14/2008 1:05:08 PM
Author: Maisie
So I take it I won''t get a better price because I am lovely?

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

Date: 2/13/2008 5:48:11 PM
Author: Maisie
I am even looking at jewellery designers in the UK to see if they are less expensive. They aren't usually but its worth a try.

They aren't in my experience! I got a quote from three bench guys here, none of them high end or well known even locally. All three were higher than the quote I got from Leon (and I know his work will be exquisite!)

And you do get a slightly better price for being lovely (well, for being a PSer, anyway!)

Jen

 

[Maisie]

Date: 2/14/2008 1:26:19 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 2/14/2008 1:05:08 PM
Author: Maisie
So I take it I won''t get a better price because I am lovely?

Ow!

 

[Maisie]

Date: 2/14/2008 1:31:25 PM
Author: Mrs Mitchell

Date: 2/13/2008 5:48:11 PM
Author: Maisie
I am even looking at jewellery designers in the UK to see if they are less expensive. They aren''t usually but its worth a try.

They aren''t in my experience! I got a quote from three bench guys here, none of them high end or well known even locally. All three were higher than the quote I got from Leon (and I know his work will be exquisite!)

And you do get a slightly better price for being lovely (well, for being a PSer, anyway!)

Jen

I am waiting with some trepidation to see what the quotes will be.

In some ways it would be easier to get the setting here, but then again, if its less expensive to get a Leon then maybe thats what I should do

 

[Dreamer_D]

I have never worked with Whiteflash nor have I "shopped around" much, but I do have experience with a bargain setting made by a benchman that my jeweler contracts out to, and my experiences have been frustrating to say the least. Although my jeweler will fix any problems with the pieces he makes until I am happy (sort of. I have given up trying to get things done perfectly to my taste from this person who is not a perfectionist!), sometimes it takes three tries before it is not sloppy and error filled! (I know, won''t be working with him in the future).

Now I have come to the conclusion that I am willing to spend more to have the peace of mind of knowing that my finished piece will be perfect and the craftsmanship will be top notch... of course, if there are companies other than WF that can give you that peace of mind for a lesser cost (e.g., Quest?) then I would go with them... but when it comes to jewelry and custom work, I am now of the mind that I would rather save for a while and then pay a little more and get something that meets my perfectionistic standards, than pay less immediately and deal with less than stellar craftsmanship.

Let us know how your search works out and who you work with and how it goes! I''ll be really curious!

DD

 

[metro]

Thank you all for your thoughtful and insightful replies. I am very interested in the price trend and will be watching it carefully.

I am gathering a few more quotes, however, I''ve made up my mind it getting my new setting done locally is the best way for me to go. I feel a face-to-face best for me to feel secure in knowing that all is done as I envision.

I''m confidient that WF isn''t the only great craftsmen in Houston, and that I know I willl find someone who will work within a competivie price scale for the type of design I want. I have two meetings tomorrow.

I''ll keep you all posted.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

At least they got back to you with a quote....oh well...I am sure they are busy.

 

[Maisie]

I guess they must be, I am waiting for one too on another ring.

 

[Allison D.]

Date: 2/14/2008 4:43:00 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
At least they got back to you with a quote....oh well...I am sure they are busy.

Tacori, are you waiting on a quote? I''d be happy to lend a hand and look into it for you.

Maisie, I''ve already looked into your, and I''m fairly certain you have a reply in your inbox.

 

[Maisie]

It just arrived - I keep forgetting that Celina doesn''t work every day now.

 

[Kath1609]

Date: 2/13/2008 6:19:19 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
I have a different take on it. WhiteFlash is not a jewelry store. They are diamond sellers primarily. They offer settings primarily for the diamonds they sell. The profit is in selling a lot of diamonds and not in custom ring making. They can price custom projects high because that is not where their primary income comes from. In contrast, a jeweler like Quest is more of a regular jeweler that does a lot of custom settings. I am sure they depend on that income as part of their business model. That is why when someone buys a diamond from another vendor, I don''t recommend that they go look at settings at another online vendor. You may as well go buy a setting locally if you can''t find one with your diamond vendor because there are few discounts on settings other than perhaps at Pearlmans. For custom settings, I''d really look at the people who do that as their primary business.

I would have to agree. I recently got a quote from WF for a semi-custom setting. They gave me two prices - one if I bought the stone from them, and a higher price if I didn''t. Truth be told, I didn''t really shop around. WF seems to have an excellent reputation, and I didn''t feel that the quote was higher than prices I had seen for similar rings elsewhere.