major dilemma with my upgrade

[ivanadiamond]

I need some help!

When my DH and I first started looking at engagement rings I fell in-love with a 2.23 RB beauty, sadly at the time my hubby was in law school and we didn''t have the cash for it, our jeweler did however give us an upgrade policy. Recently we went to our jeweler and were stunned to see the diamond was still there and it still made my heart go pitter patter. My DH wants to give me an upgrade for our 1 year anni coming up in August so we asked for the price. All of the sudden, the jeweler wants over double the cost of what he offered this diamond for 1 1/2 years ago- I don''t get it- I looked up similar diamonds from Pricescope vendors and all are comparable to the price the diamond was when we originally saw it- maybe 2-4K price difference, which is understandable given the increase in diamond prices. Our jeweler however wants 15K more

. I want to be able to trade my diamond in, but I think he is totally taking advantage of his upgrade policy. Any advice on what we should do?

 

[movie zombie]

shop elsewhere........

movie zombie

 

[FireGoddess]

Perhaps it has been there all this time? I''d be inclined to walk as well, but it would be worth telling the guy that you came in prepared to pay what he had quoted before, and are interested in the stone, but not at that much of a markup, particularly since it''s been sitting there and not recently acquired at a higher price point. If he wants to move it, he''ll deal somewhat. Otherwise, he can let it sit there another year and a half and see if it moves.

 

[Mara]

you have three options. #1 pay what he wants. #2 negotiate a better deal. #3 walk away.

no way would i pay $15k extra for a diamond that was a much cheaper price before. maybe he wants to sell it for what he can replace it for in today's more expensive market, but a $15k difference? that's just insane.

i would tell him hey we saw this diamond here a year ago and it was XYZ and now it's this...how about we meet somewhere in the middle here? OR sure you can sit on it for another year. hmmm cash in hand or diamond for another year.

anyway, you have some power here, power of the purse, but he also has power because he has your upgrade policy. so you may have to compromise, or go elsewhere. good luck.

 

[mrssalvo]

I guess I''d probably do what mara said. Walk in and say, you quoted me this price a year ago. I realize diamond prices have gone up and be willing to make him and offer for somewhere in the middle but 15K more is insane. will he give you a credit for what your stone is worth now?

I agree, you''re kinda stuck since he''s the only one will give you full price on your current stone. If he won''t come down in price, i''d probably walk. You can always look into consigning your stone or seeing what a PS vendor might give you on a trade. Demelza was recently talking to a few of them about a EC stone she wanted to get rid of. Who knows what they''d give you but it would be worth finding out what other options might be available.

 

[ivanadiamond]

Thanks so much for your great advice ladies. I think you are all right! I will see if a PS vendor is open to trading my ring in too- You made me feel so much better!

thank you!

 

[Gypsy]

I''d call some PS vendors and see about consigning your current diamond and walk away if he doesn''t come off that ridiculous price.

 

[blodthecat]

Forget the trade-in policy. Would you really want to do further business with this guy?

Walk away............

 

[Demelza]

If this guy is really going to charge you that much extra, it doesn't even seem like the trade-in policy is worth much anymore. You might end up breaking even or even coming out ahead if you worked out a trade in or consignment agreement with a vendor with more reasonable pricing. And then, depending on who you went with, you'd have a much better trade up policy for future purchases if you think you'll want to go bigger in the future. That jump is price is really amazing! I know diamond pricing has increased over the last couple of years, but not that much!!!! And if they really have, then he should give you more money for your stone!

 

[ivanadiamond]

thanks again everyone- Both my DH and I agree with all your sage advice. We will try to sell my ring on consignment or trade it in with a pricescope vendor if that is an option and start fresh. His price is so ridiculous and perhaps there is a reason the ring hasn''t sold in almost 2 years...some people just get greedy.

so I guess I am on the hunt for a 2.23 or something close, Mara are you putting yours on the market?

 

[bigE]

Ivanadiamond, I think yours is one of the coolest I''ve seen...I love it the way it is, but it''s your ring I''ve seen a lot of rings on PS and I like yours the best but I am partial to that micropave! Any recent closeup pics?