price increases-less people buying?

[lanasyogamama]

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?

I think there is something to this. People tend to shop for things that are barely in their reach, that they can afford, but someone making just a little less cannot.

 

[thimp]

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.

You said it so eloquently.

 

[ALLinTHEbag]

SO true!!! Couldn't have said it better!!

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.

 

[calisteph6]

Prices of diamonds as a whole are going up big time though. I think in june the price of diamonds went up 10-15%. This affects brands or just buying loose stones from white flash or blue nile. I don't know if T&co and Cartier have their own increase system, but obviously if diamond prices rise, their diamond lines will go up.

 

[amateurjeweler]

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.

The quality of all "affordable" luxury goods seem to be sliding. Jewelry held out longer but now it's getting as bad as Prada linings or LV monogram goods.