Do you think all of the recent increases in Tiffany, Van Cleef and Cartier will cause less people to make purchases of designer branded jewelry? Or will it make even more people want them and purchase from them? I think such high increases are making these brands totally unattainable for most. I could never purchase today all of the items I purchased in 2007-2009. Near $6,000 for a WG bangle from Cartier - who can do it? Even financing for a year - to me - sounds ridiculous!
price increases-less people buying?
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Yeah, I'd rather buy diamonds and antiques. I've set aside my LV bag and designer shoe and jewelry buying habits and have been scoping out decent priced diamonds to have turned into custom pieces, as well as antique jewelry. It's so much fun for me!! And keeps me occupied.
I'm not into brand jewelry, so those price increases do not affect me at all.
Locally (I'm in Athens/Greece) things are quite unpredictable so many ppl have stopped buying luxury goods, and I also am on hold until things are quieter and more safe. I think there will be many good opportunities for jewelry in very low prices (below retail price) in the next few months. Right now I would not buy VCA or any overpriced brand, but I would wait out for good once-in-a-lifetime opportunities with other jewelry.
Locally (I'm in Athens/Greece) things are quite unpredictable so many ppl have stopped buying luxury goods, and I also am on hold until things are quieter and more safe. I think there will be many good opportunities for jewelry in very low prices (below retail price) in the next few months. Right now I would not buy VCA or any overpriced brand, but I would wait out for good once-in-a-lifetime opportunities with other jewelry.
I so agree with you ladies! I've liked the Love bracelet for a few years, never lusted after it but liked it's solidness and that it came in small sizes. But now, as expensive as they are getting, I don't think I'll ever honestly go that route. I was shocked recently to see that Tiffany's rose gold bangle in their "Yours" collection is over $4000 as well.
I too think I'm more into antique jewelry and diamonds (and bargin gold finds) at this point in time. Nothing beat an amazing find that is unique.
I too think I'm more into antique jewelry and diamonds (and bargin gold finds) at this point in time. Nothing beat an amazing find that is unique.
I don't think it's just branded items. This was the status on the Good Old Gold Facebook page:
Just an idea of what we're experiencing on this end from suppliers. You all know we'll call in and review/publish/video diamonds for clients around the globe. Because of the market, if we acquire a diamond on Monday to show to a client on Tuesday, suppliers are calling us by Wednesday/Thursday to warn that if we don't give them a buying decision the price will go up by Friday if the market shifts, even a little.
Ie. the prices we give Tuesday through Thursday can *change* by Friday if you don't make a decision. I generally do not operate like that. I certainly don't with diamonds I personally *own* but it is a heartless and ruthless world out there when it comes to the buck.
Just an idea of what we're experiencing on this end from suppliers. You all know we'll call in and review/publish/video diamonds for clients around the globe. Because of the market, if we acquire a diamond on Monday to show to a client on Tuesday, suppliers are calling us by Wednesday/Thursday to warn that if we don't give them a buying decision the price will go up by Friday if the market shifts, even a little.
Ie. the prices we give Tuesday through Thursday can *change* by Friday if you don't make a decision. I generally do not operate like that. I certainly don't with diamonds I personally *own* but it is a heartless and ruthless world out there when it comes to the buck.
Have you noticed though how as a price increase is approaching all those "on the fence" people are rushing out and buying before the increase? I mean a TON of people on here alone went VCA crazy this week, Cartier Crazy last week, and Tiffany's crazy before that. SO is it possible that they are getting MORE sales because of these increases?
The increases are insane. If it was once a year that would be bad enough but 2 to 3 times is greedy. There are a few name brand pieces I am going to buy but I am trying to do it this year before it is just too high. I already stopped buying Chanel bags for this reason but I hope it doesn't become this way for VCA and Cartier since I would rather have jewelry.
Though how many posters on this forum claim they won't shop at certain brands because it is not "exclusive" or expensive enough? Or that a brand is too accessible?
It's a double edge sword. If an item is well designed and generally liked (like DBTY or the Cartier love charity bracelet) and accessible, then you'll have people that complain that the jewelry house is trying to cater down market and are diluting the prestige of shopping there.
But when the jewelry houses raise their prices by 20%, they'll complain that they can't shop there any more. It's like, which is it is? Would you rather spend less on things you want or do you want them to raise their prices to be more unattainable?
It's a double edge sword. If an item is well designed and generally liked (like DBTY or the Cartier love charity bracelet) and accessible, then you'll have people that complain that the jewelry house is trying to cater down market and are diluting the prestige of shopping there.
But when the jewelry houses raise their prices by 20%, they'll complain that they can't shop there any more. It's like, which is it is? Would you rather spend less on things you want or do you want them to raise their prices to be more unattainable?
I wouldn't spend alot on Tiffany or Cartier jewelry (not my favorite), however I do love David Yurman. Most of my jewelry has been no brand diamonds and rubies because I could get generic diamonds way less than at Tiffany's. You certainly get more for your money but the resale value will usually be stronger with branded items. When I sold some Tiffany jewelry a while back I had no problems selling it. The non branded stuff didn't move so quickly.
I agree with this. I'm sure everyone would agree people now generally spend less than they did say just a few years ago, which obviously impacts prices anyway. IMO, all this price increase nonsense is simply a marketing attempt to drum up sales. It encourages people who may be sitting on the fence to pull the trigger sooner rather than later because it makes them believe by beating the price increase they have gotten a good deal. I think brands such as those mentioned can no longer rely on walk-ins because people simply don't have the same money they used to - and if they do, they're scared to spend it. And those who have enough money to spend without caring about price increases are not a part of the target market these price increases are attempting to lure in!
Well, in terms of branded jewelry... I like only certain things from certain designers. I have my Cartier piece, my Tiffany pieces, and on my birthday (or christmas, depending upon, you guessed it! the next price increase!) I will get my one VCA.
Honestly, that is all I can afford. I am just lucky that I got stuff when I did... I understand price increases, due to global increases, but I wish it was only once a year, like Tiffany's.... That seems more fair to me.
I don't like it when I am rushed. I know that I will be paying more for my VCA when I get it, but I just do not have enough saved right now to get it, and I would have to use a credit card, which right now I am working on paying off my Cartier card. One card is enough to pay off.
Honestly, that is all I can afford. I am just lucky that I got stuff when I did... I understand price increases, due to global increases, but I wish it was only once a year, like Tiffany's.... That seems more fair to me.
I don't like it when I am rushed. I know that I will be paying more for my VCA when I get it, but I just do not have enough saved right now to get it, and I would have to use a credit card, which right now I am working on paying off my Cartier card. One card is enough to pay off.
I understand that price increases are like death and taxes. I understand that everything is more - except for my take home pay. I don't like it, but I accept that you do have to pay for raw materials and quality workmanship.
What I don't understand, and don't have patience for is the fact that I see quality going down even as I see prices going up. I remember when (and now I am showing my age) you could purchase the Tiffany DBTY - and the stones came with certs. And they weren't scrawny.
I remember when the backs of John Hardy pieces were as beautifully worked as the faces. And they were made out of a heavy metal.
I can accept price increases if I actually receive pieces that are as good as I used to get
But I can't accept paying more for less.
What I don't understand, and don't have patience for is the fact that I see quality going down even as I see prices going up. I remember when (and now I am showing my age) you could purchase the Tiffany DBTY - and the stones came with certs. And they weren't scrawny.
I remember when the backs of John Hardy pieces were as beautifully worked as the faces. And they were made out of a heavy metal.
I can accept price increases if I actually receive pieces that are as good as I used to get
But I can't accept paying more for less.