Help on engagement ring costs

Idiophreak

murie wrote: »

However, Idiophreak, please consider that any savings that are made by the Op (and everyone else) is undoubtably going to be ploughed back into the UK economy in one way or another- be it in the form of other wedding services, the ailing travel industry or even allowing a larger deposit on a mortgage (long term). I agree that our high streets have become rather desolate places, but there is more needed for the economy than an abundance of expensive shops that people bankrupt themselves buying from. (Dont know how old you are but look back to the consumersim of the 80's).

It's not just about high end goods, though, and it's not about where the money goes in the economy. It's just about paying for a service.

Like I said, my trainers is a good example. I've three options.

1) I can buy from a store, where they'll have me run on the treadmill, analyse my gait, recommend suitable shoes for me, let me try them on, let me try them on the treadmill, comment on the fit and so on.

2) I can buy online, read some articles so I'm fairly sure what kind of shoe I need, read some reviews. Pay my money, take my choice.

3) I can use all the facilities of 1, then buy from 2.

My shoes might be, what? £100 online / £120 in store...So I'm not going to bankrupt myself either way.

Personally (like I said, it is personal), I don't believe it's particularly ethical to go with option 3. If people want the prices of option 2, I think they should accept the limitations of it. If people want the service of 1, I think they should be prepared to pay for it.

murie

I agree, if you have the money and wherewithall to pay for a first class service then go for it-it is after all a unique experience, BUT, the point of this site is about encouraging us to be more savvy in our approach to the consumer choices we make.
I am glad that you are in a position to be able to pay for the services you require, but please dont think that just because others choose not to pay such prices that they are moral and ethical skinflints. Each to thier own.

Idiophreak

murie wrote: »

I agree, if you have the money and wherewithall to pay for a first class service then go for it-it is after all a unique experience, BUT, the point of this site is about encouraging us to be more savvy in our approach to the consumer choices we make.

I am glad that you are in a position to be able to pay for the services you require, but please dont think that just because others choose not to pay such prices that they are moral and ethical skinflints. Each to thier own.

This site often walks a very tight ethical line, personally, I like to think it's not about money saving at the cost of all else...There are often moral dilemmas come up (hell, we have whole threads dedicated to MMDs)...Some real-forum examples: Is it ethical to buy every copy of a game you see that's a good price, then sell them on ebay? Can you go into starbucks and just take the napkins to save buying tissues at home? Is wombling ethical? etc etc

It's all about treading a line between "savvy" and "greedy", between making informed buying choices and plain exploiting stores.

Your last paragraph has somewhat a broken logic. You mention that I'm "able" to afford the service, but then said I shouldn't think worse of people who "choose not to pay such prices"...really, whether I'm able to pay is neither here nor there. When I'm "unable" to afford to pay for service I still opt for my option 2) above, rather than option 3), as I wouldn't feel right using somebody's service with no intention to reward that service with a sale.

(as an aside, a good deal of running shops now charge for gait analysis and so on, as so many people abused the system. Means well intentioned people like me are charged if we genuinely can't find shoes we like )

LEJC

we got to this because the OP asked in her original post

I am being silly to think we can negotiate down the price?

Furthermore shes narrowed her search down to 3 rings and is awaiting delivery of her OH's choice of ring....lets not forget its about her engagement ring....and for once unite and wish her lots of luck in her wedding planning....

Congratulations jax...

murie

As I said -I am happy that you are in a position to be able to afford to pay for such services and that you have a code of ethics that you maintain regardless of your financial situation (no sarcasm intended here).

Again I agree that there is a very tight line between being savvy and greedy, but I feel that it is up to the individual to get the best deal for their hard earned cash, and that it doesnt necessarily go hand in hand that they are greedy or have no ethics simply because they "shop around".

On a positive note, I am glad to see that we can debate as adults without it resulting in tit for tat bickering that I have seen on a few threads.:beer:
To the Op- I hope your ring is as beautiful as you dreamed it will be- I am sure it will be.:)

Scotsbride

Idiophreak wrote: »

So if Beaverbrooks *had* allowed you to design your own ring, you'd have bought it from them, would you? As they provided you excellent service, a nice store, a good range of things to try on etc?

Or would you still have gone and ordered it from a frontless online store to get the cheapest possible price?

I suspect it's the latter, otherwise your contribution to this thread is a little random.

Out of curiosity, when your DD is trying on jeans, does she have any intention whatsoever of buying them? Or does she head to ebay afterward to buy some knock-offs?

I thought this site was about been a MSE! ebay and other other online sites aren't necessarly knock offs! I don't think getting ideas and shopping around is a waste of anyones time. In this day of age shops need us customers more than we need them it's up to them to offer that best possible service and quality at afford prices.