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IntlSet · Oct 2nd, 2008, 12:01 PM

My SO and I originally thought (okay, *I* originally thought since he won't do any research himself) we would go through an independent broker to get a diamond without the designer mark-up. However, I'm having different thoughts now, especially because some of the designs I love are proprietary (like the Tiffany Legacy collection) to the company.

I was told by a trustworthy friend that at Tiffany, if you ask "if this is best you can do," they are willing to knock 10 percent off the listed price. I've also heard to the contrary: that the prices are completely non-negotiable (though I also heard that when I got my Cartier watch, and it turned out not to be true).

Any experiences?

I would hate to pay an extra $X because I didn't bother asking.

kathyinjapan · Oct 2nd, 2008, 12:09 PM

I don't believe T&Co negotiate on prices. If you want a percent off then I would suggest purchasing in a state which has no sales tax (i.e. Oregon)

ling0882434 · Oct 2nd, 2008, 01:26 PM

was told by my cartier sa that he can waive the tax for u if it's a big purchase

diamond_lover · Oct 2nd, 2008, 01:33 PM

I could have sworn that I read somewhere in one of the e-ring threads on Harry Winston that they give "discounts".

queenvictoria2 · Oct 2nd, 2008, 08:27 PM

Check out pricescope.com loads of info there

jayjay77 · Oct 2nd, 2008, 08:41 PM

Yes pricescope implies that HW will give discounts.

I can't really speak to E-rings, but I just got a great deal on a Cartier watch from an authorized dealer. I was thinking of buying grey market but the authorized dealer made it worth my while. The economy is doing really poorly, so I think if you and your SO have cash to spend you will find that you will get some deals without even asking. Good luck!

tweetie · Oct 2nd, 2008, 09:58 PM

My e-ring and our wedding bands/eternity band are from Tiffany & Co - there was no negotiation, but honestly, I did not ask. I have never had a discount at Tiffany on any of my jewelry and I'm a regular shopper there.

Cartier is completely different... (I don't about e-rings through since I didn't seriously look at them). That brand is known for giving discounts on watched even as far back as when I was growing up with my mom. I think the reason is because Cartier is not just sold in Cartier boutiques. You can buy them everywhere from Costco to authorized retailers. Most are willing to knock 15% off the top just by asking IME but this is not through the boutique.

Honestly, if you want a Tiffany design, take the plunge. A lot of people get flamed from buying Tiffany, but I have been very happy with my ring and no regrets. The Legacy is a lovely piece and it would bother me to get a knock-off design.

TylerDurden · Oct 2nd, 2008, 10:16 PM

I've heard of people getting discounts on Tiffany's but only on significant purchases i.e. more than $50,000. Even then it is not as much as 10%. I've also heard that HW and Cartier give discounts but I think it depends on the market and how slow it is at the time.

catabie · Oct 3rd, 2008, 12:07 AM

when hubby and i purchased ering and wedding bands from Tiffany back in 2004, no discount was given and it's because we didnt think they would ever give and we didnt ask. Back then I never knew you could get a "discount" at a high end jewelry store like that.

fast forward 4 years and have spent countless hours talking to friends and sales, Tiffany did give 10% off to a 1 ct engagement ring a friend of mine bought.

i am not supposed to say this, I have been shopping at VC&A with at least a 10% off, unless it's an limited edition item.

So basically, it NEVER hurts to ask and negogiate, especially under this economy.

2manybags · Oct 4th, 2008, 01:53 AM

When my ex-fiance and I were looking at rings, Tiffany gave 10% off and Cartier gave about 17-18% off.

Jenna51580 · Oct 4th, 2008, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by kathyinjapan

I don't believe T&Co negotiate on prices. If you want a percent off then I would suggest purchasing in a state which has no sales tax (i.e. Oregon)

New Jersey also has not sales tax as well. I know because when I purchased my diamond I sent mine to my Aunt's house and saved several thousand.

aquablueness · Oct 4th, 2008, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by TylerDurden

I've heard of people getting discounts on Tiffany's but only on significant purchases i.e. more than $50,000. Even then it is not as much as 10%. I've also heard that HW and Cartier give discounts but I think it depends on the market and how slow it is at the time.

for Tiffany's, probably so in this instance.

wonder if my DBF would spend more than 50K on me...LOL

LaurieLou · Oct 5th, 2008, 04:51 PM

Tiffanys did not offer my fiance a discount and the price was way, way crazy. He went through a private broker, which we thought would be more expensive. The broker found us exactly what we wanted at a phenomenal price and had a jeweler custom make my setting. this may be a good way to go. We saved about $9000 according to our appraisal.

lorihmatthews · Oct 6th, 2008, 12:23 AM

Annie, don't do it! Go to a wholesaler, you'll get SO much more for your money! I got a great ring for 1/3 of the cost of what it would have been at Tiffany. My DH and I went to Tiffany and Cartier here in SF. And once that ring is on your finger, no one is going to think better or worse of you if you've got a branded ring or not. Save your money for a down payment for a house!

Heck, fly out here to SF and I'll take you to the wholesalers here!

IntlSet · Oct 6th, 2008, 09:32 AM

LOL Hey Lori! My fairy godmother showed up!

Thank you -- I think we're going to look at both. I realize this is beyond irrational, but I have this horrible fear of getting scammed by a broker. Maybe it's because Chicago's huge jeweler's row is pretty, umm... shady looking? I visited once and bought a diamond eternity band. It seemed like a lot of bargaining was required and I'm not so hot at that. I will really, really have to educate myself before I go!

Oct 2nd, 2008, 12:01 PM	#1
IntlSet OP Bonjour! Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 12,990	HW, Cartier, Tiffany, and the like, for engagement rings... negotiable? My SO and I originally thought (okay, I originally thought since he won't do any research himself) we would go through an independent broker to get a diamond without the designer mark-up. However, I'm having different thoughts now, especially because some of the designs I love are proprietary (like the Tiffany Legacy collection) to the company. I was told by a trustworthy friend that at Tiffany, if you ask "if this is best you can do," they are willing to knock 10 percent off the listed price. I've also heard to the contrary: that the prices are completely non-negotiable (though I also heard that when I got my Cartier watch, and it turned out not to be true). Any experiences? I would hate to pay an extra $X because I didn't bother asking.
	__________________ www.drinkmorechampagne.com

Oct 2nd, 2008, 01:26 PM	#3
ling0882434 Member Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 819	was told by my cartier sa that he can waive the tax for u if it's a big purchase
ling0882434 Member Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 819

Oct 2nd, 2008, 08:27 PM	#5
queenvictoria2 psalm 25:4 Joined: Sep 2006 Location: In a Shoe .... Posts: 4,299	Check out pricescope.com loads of info there
	__________________ Wishlist: A Cure for Cancer

Oct 2nd, 2008, 09:58 PM	#7
tweetie Member Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,624	My e-ring and our wedding bands/eternity band are from Tiffany & Co - there was no negotiation, but honestly, I did not ask. I have never had a discount at Tiffany on any of my jewelry and I'm a regular shopper there. Cartier is completely different... (I don't about e-rings through since I didn't seriously look at them). That brand is known for giving discounts on watched even as far back as when I was growing up with my mom. I think the reason is because Cartier is not just sold in Cartier boutiques. You can buy them everywhere from Costco to authorized retailers. Most are willing to knock 15% off the top just by asking IME but this is not through the boutique. Honestly, if you want a Tiffany design, take the plunge. A lot of people get flamed from buying Tiffany, but I have been very happy with my ring and no regrets. The Legacy is a lovely piece and it would bother me to get a knock-off design.
tweetie Member Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,624	__________________ Highlights of tweetie's collection

Oct 3rd, 2008, 12:07 AM	#9
catabie expecting again! Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,474	when hubby and i purchased ering and wedding bands from Tiffany back in 2004, no discount was given and it's because we didnt think they would ever give and we didnt ask. Back then I never knew you could get a "discount" at a high end jewelry store like that. fast forward 4 years and have spent countless hours talking to friends and sales, Tiffany did give 10% off to a 1 ct engagement ring a friend of mine bought. i am not supposed to say this, I have been shopping at VC&A with at least a 10% off, unless it's an limited edition item. So basically, it NEVER hurts to ask and negogiate, especially under this economy.
catabie expecting again! Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,474	__________________ visit my daily blog: http://fashion-food-fabulous.blogspot.com/

Oct 2nd, 2008, 12:09 PM	#2
kathyinjapan No longer in Japan.. Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 1,022	I don't believe T&Co negotiate on prices. If you want a percent off then I would suggest purchasing in a state which has no sales tax (i.e. Oregon)

Oct 2nd, 2008, 01:33 PM	#4
diamond_lover Member Joined: Aug 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 1,508	I could have sworn that I read somewhere in one of the e-ring threads on Harry Winston that they give "discounts".

Oct 2nd, 2008, 08:41 PM	#6
jayjay77 Member Joined: Nov 2006 Location: New York Posts: 1,616	Yes pricescope implies that HW will give discounts. I can't really speak to E-rings, but I just got a great deal on a Cartier watch from an authorized dealer. I was thinking of buying grey market but the authorized dealer made it worth my while. The economy is doing really poorly, so I think if you and your SO have cash to spend you will find that you will get some deals without even asking. Good luck!

Oct 2nd, 2008, 10:16 PM	#8
TylerDurden Member Joined: Sep 2008 Location: Hawaii Posts: 567	I've heard of people getting discounts on Tiffany's but only on significant purchases i.e. more than $50,000. Even then it is not as much as 10%. I've also heard that HW and Cartier give discounts but I think it depends on the market and how slow it is at the time.

Oct 4th, 2008, 01:53 AM	#10
2manybags Member Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 890	When my ex-fiance and I were looking at rings, Tiffany gave 10% off and Cartier gave about 17-18% off.
2manybags Member Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 890

Oct 5th, 2008, 04:51 PM	#13
LaurieLou LV and Diamonds! Joined: Jun 2008 Location: NY Posts: 808	Tiffanys did not offer my fiance a discount and the price was way, way crazy. He went through a private broker, which we thought would be more expensive. The broker found us exactly what we wanted at a phenomenal price and had a jeweler custom make my setting. this may be a good way to go. We saved about $9000 according to our appraisal.
	__________________ Check out my collection! http://forum.purseblog.com/louis-vuitton/my-bag-collection-328745.html NO MORE SHOPPING....until the house is remodeled!

Oct 6th, 2008, 12:23 AM	#14
lorihmatthews Fall is here! Joined: Oct 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 11,049	Annie, don't do it! Go to a wholesaler, you'll get SO much more for your money! I got a great ring for 1/3 of the cost of what it would have been at Tiffany. My DH and I went to Tiffany and Cartier here in SF. And once that ring is on your finger, no one is going to think better or worse of you if you've got a branded ring or not. Save your money for a down payment for a house! Heck, fly out here to SF and I'll take you to the wholesalers here!

Oct 6th, 2008, 09:32 AM	#15
IntlSet OP Bonjour! Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 12,990	LOL Hey Lori! My fairy godmother showed up! Thank you -- I think we're going to look at both. I realize this is beyond irrational, but I have this horrible fear of getting scammed by a broker. Maybe it's because Chicago's huge jeweler's row is pretty, umm... shady looking? I visited once and bought a diamond eternity band. It seemed like a lot of bargaining was required and I'm not so hot at that. I will really, really have to educate myself before I go!
	__________________ www.drinkmorechampagne.com

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