How much can you negotiate with Jewellers?

patface

Hi,

Am a newbie to these forums, despite recieving the weekly email.

Just have a question regarding the flexibility of high street jewellers to negotiate on the price of rings.

Basically, have decided its the right time to pop the questions to the better half. We have been together for 5 years this weekend and have talked about getting engaged previously and today actually went looking at rings.

She found the ring which is "the one" at Beaverbrookes and I really want to get it her, but the RRP is £1400 which is a fair wedge over my initial budget but I am going to make sure I get it, but want to get it as cheaply as possible. I have had a look round to see if it is common practise to be able to knock down jewellers but cant really find much info and guess people on the wedding section of here would know!

Is there a particular percent off the retail price I should be aiming to get it down by?

Thanks for the advice in advance!

Pat

withabix

Look online (but not a Hinds, Goldsmiths, Samuels etc etc). If it is £1400 at Beaverbrooks, you will probably be able to get it for about £500 elsewhere.

Maysie

I got 10% of in samuels i had cash with me. She asked for a deposit and i said is there any chance of discount if i pay it all in cash right now. They offered 10%. This lead to my finance getting £35 quid off the bridal suite at a hotel to try and outdo me.

TamVilla80

Have you thought about maybe going to an independent jeweller and getting it made? Probably cheaper and a bit more personal, as you could maybe change it a bit (if thats what your good lady wants of course). Beaverbrooks is probably not the most cash efficient place to get it from. Fortunatly we live not far from Birmingham jewellery quarter which is excellent for getting a good deal - if you can get here then it's well worth a visit.

patface

Thanks for all the suggestions so far, much appreciated.

Not close to the Jewellry Quater unfortunaltey and dont really want to visit some of the jewellers near me as they seem a bit dodgy! Would rather buy from a bigger brand and dont really want to get anything else but "the one"!

I have the cash to pay upfront, so even if they could knock 10% off, its still a good amount saved. If I could get more it would be a result.

LEJC

Typically high street jewellers will be flexible up to about 10% although its not guaranteed so it may be a case of the price you see is the price you pay,its very dependant on the store and the chain you use...and the tactic in negotiation!...ive never haggled with Beaverbrooks but I have with other similar high street jewellers...you could possibly get free cleaning on your ring over the lifetime of it and an additional 10% off a future purchase of your wedding rings...but I think that would be the maximum you could realistically achieve with a high street chain jeweller.
Have you also checked online to see if via the beaverbrooks website it is slightly cheaper?

I do know that a lot of jewellers on the high street now offer interest free credit over 36 months as an incentive to buy ..I think beaverbrooks may also do this so it may not be an option to haggle the price down as they will consider that the interest free option affords you a discount so you may need to negotiate hard to secure a cash discount.....


If you were to go to an independant jeweller then the discount on a bespoke ring would probably be more.

As another poster suggested you really should try an independant as you have a very good budget and the ring you could get for that money after discount would be of a very good quality...

Every independant jeweller is different and as such they set their own own prices as they are usually much smaller set ups than the likes of Beaverbrooks...I have bought many pieces over the years independantly and have usually negotiated discounts of up to 25%.

Another option for you to consider is the antique ring or preloved...not everyones taste I know for an engagement ring but they really do represent very good value for money as they are exempt from VAT ....secondhand is a really good way to buy jewellery as you get far more for the money....get that on a good day and the discount you can achieve can be very substantial.

Maysie

Have you got a picture of "the ring" and perhaps someone has seen a similar quality but at a better price?

Cezzabelle

hi

i got my ring in beaverbrooks, it was £1800, we had budgeted about 1000 (ok i had, OH was hoping for less) I only asked to look at rings 1000 and under. Nothing felt "right" assistant asked what i thought i wanted, I described and she brought "it" over.

Instantly "knew" but as soon as she told me price i took it off. They then "tag teamed" us. One took me to mirror to look at how it would look to other people (weird! who cares) and other one talked OH into it. Came over and said "he says if its THE ONE, you can have it" i stood firm and said it was but we couldnt afford that. They said theres always some wiggle room and we got it for £1400.

Dont know if that helps, but just wanted to post as it was Beaverbrooks.

patface

Thanks for all your suggestions so far, much appreciated.

I did consider going down the independent jeweller route, but dont really want to tinker with it, even if they could make an exact copy of it.

Great to know that Beaverbrooks can be negotiated down by about 20% though. I am going to get on the blower to them now and see what I can do.

I think if I can go from £1400 to £1000 I would be very happy. Thing is, when I explain I want it, but its out of budget, they realise its "the one" so can dig their heels in a bit and hold out on the price so is a toughie to negotiate!

Will keep everyone posted!

patface

Just spoke to them now and the "lowest" price they can do it for is £1150 so a nice little discount.

Said I would sleep on it and let them know. Think I might call them tomorrow, said I have thought about and then explain I would want to pay £1000 and see what they say. The worst they can say is no I suppose.

MrsDrink

I know it's a bit too late but just for anyone reading this in future.

Would it be possible to cost the exact same ring from a few places -including independent retailers and bespoke services? You could then go back to Beaverbrooks and say such and such will do the same ring for x amount and ask what they can do it for?