Ring Shopping!?

[goincrazy]

My bf told me this weekend (during a related discussion) that his time frame for popping the question was between now and my b-day (end of May) (yay!). He told me to start looking for rings and to give him a few ideas. I mentioned that I had been looking on-line (James Allen/Blue Nile) but he wasn''t that thrilled about the on-line idea. My questions are: do you think the chain/mall jewelry stores are rip offs? I''m new to this area (Eugene, OR) and don''t know of anyone to ask for suggestions on jewelers. Any ideas on research?
I would love any/all suggestions you can throw my way.
Thank you,

 

[cellososweet]

Hey
Congratulations on the time frame. Woohoo! I personally am not thrilled with online either because I like to see things before putting the equivalent of half the price of a new car on the table. I''m sure someone will be able to help you with store where you live, as I am not familiar, but i will say that I definitely think mall stores are rip offs. If you look at the specs, they usually arent'' that great of quality. Of course i''m sure you could find a good one somewhere. . .but i would steer clear if i were you. Once again, Yay! for the time frame.


~cellososweet

 

[firebirdgold]

I''ll ask my bf tonight if he has any suggestions. He use to live in Eugene, still visits a couple times a year for *cough* work, and has a friend there who just got engaged. So worst case he can always ask his friend.

How do you like Eugene?

 

[esguy27]

I just wanted to add my $.02 to your question.

Within the past 4 months or so, I decided that I was going to propose to my gf. I stumbled across PriceScope by chance and the more I read, the more I opened up to the idea of buying online. I was exactly of the same mindset as you at first...there was no way I was going to buy something of such expense and significance online. So I simply hung around and educated myself on PS, all the while thinking I would end up buying at a B&M store. I went to mall stores, free standing jewelry stores, Robbins Bros, and even a trusted family jeweler. What I found was the stones I was being shown were not cut as nicely as the ones I had seen online....AND they were a couple thousand dollars more!

So, I opened up to at least considering buying online, and I''m very glad I did. I ended up getting an ideally cut diamond (1.0 on the HCA), more carats than I thought I could afford, and paid a great price for it. Renee at Whiteflash was very patient and helpful with me until I found the one I wanted.

If you think about it, you actually get more information about your diamond through online vendors (at least through WhiteFlash) than you do from B&M stores. Good luck getting them to show you an Ideal Scope image or to tell you what the pavillion and crown angles are. Most online vendors have images available of the stones at high magnification. And all the trusted online vendors have 100% return policies (number of days vary), so there really isn''t a whole lot of risk. I suppose the worst that could happen is a bit of inconvenience should you receive a stone you don''t like and have to return it. But I think in the end, you''ll end up with a nicer stone, at a better price.

Believe me, I know it''s a little scary buying something like this online, I''ve been through exactly what you''re feeling. But I couldn''t be happier about the decision. I guess my advice would be, go out and shop some B&M stores, get as much info as you can (including price), and then shop some of the online vendors. Compare them and I think it will be obvious which route to take.

Good luck, and congrats.

 

[GGLW]

I think a good way to get your BF to be more open to online shopping is by taking him shopping to see what his money can buy at the B&M stores, then comparing the prices for the same thing online. Once he sees how much more he can get online, he may be more willing to consider that option.
Good luck and congrats on the upcoming engagement!

 

[goincrazy]

Thanks all. Appreciate the advice. Will definitely shop/compare on-line w/local retailers. I have a feeling I will reach the conclusion that on-line is the way to go.

Wren: would really appreciate any leads you bf could give me re: Eugene jewelers. Eugene is ok. I grew up not too far from here but have spent the past 8 years in sunny Cal (which I love). My bf is from WI and hated Cal. I hated WI so this was our compromise state. I miss the sun/good shopping.

 

[esguy27]

Yeah, the weather doesn''t get much better than it does in CA. It''s 84 degrees in Los Angeles today. My condolences to all those on the East coast right now

 

[sunkist]

I forget how far Eugene is from Roseburg, but one of the Pricescope vendors is there - niceice.com (aka Treasures by RJ). I''d check that out!

 

[E B]

goincrazy,

I''d suggest online buying 110%. If it was risky, why would there be message boards dedicated to doing it this way? Buying nline will save you a ton of money and most if not all of the recommended online vendors give you a viewing period...if you don''t like it, send it back!