I know I shouldn't be offended but...

elvis86

Lotus-eater wrote: »

Rubbish It was an advertising campaign by De beers in the 20's or 30's which suggested the 2 (?, 3?) month wages by the man. They hoped to sell more diamonds. It must be one of the most cost effective marketing campaigns ever.

It's advertising! You've been brainwashed into the man spending more money and we've been forced into keeping up with the neighbours by the brainwashed women!

A man who haggled on his wife's engagement ring would say that!:D (I jest - I don't blame you!)

I still think that if you're going to buy into the tradition, a cheap ring is a bit of an insult. If he spends £75 on the most symbolic gift he will ever buy you, it doesn't bode well for future birthdays/Christmasses.:(

BMSrachael

coolcait wrote: »

I would have worried that he thought I was so materialistic that an inflated price tag would be important to me :eek:

I've said, several times, it doesn't matter to me. I was just surprised, given his actions.

Lotus-eater

elvis86 wrote: »

A man who haggled on his wife's engagement ring would say that!:D (I jest - I don't blame you!)

I still think that if you're going to buy into the tradition, a cheap ring is a bit of an insult. If he spends £75 on the most symbolic gift he will ever buy you, it doesn't bode well for future birthdays/Christmasses.:(

Heh, I haggle over everything
The money saved on her wedding ring, which I got online instead of the local shop, paid for my ring and half the wedding meal.
The money saved on her engagement ring, paid for a night out in the pub to celebrate.

If I told you the numbers you'd laugh, but the numbers don't matter, the deeds do.

But I will reiterate, I don't often talk of the value of things I buy her, but if I do, I don't lie and make them out to be something better than they are.
Or maybe a tiny bit sometimes, for hoped for sexual favours :rotfl:

edmund_blackadder

Just tell him you found the receipt and ask did he mean to throw it out? That way he'll know you know and you can clear the air.

NickyBat

I'm wondering why after asking here yesterday you still haven't said anything to him?

burnoutbabe

if you don;t ask and clear it up, then for the rest of your marriage, whenever anyone comments on the ring, you will feel bad. And when he boasts about the saving up for it, you will feel bad. and same for every future present (did he actually pay full price for this or is it a cheap substitute?)

Now, there may actually be no reason for it, the receipt may be wrong. But you won't know. it will always niggle at you.

BMSrachael

NickyBat wrote: »

I'm wondering why after asking here yesterday you still haven't said anything to him?

I asked him about the 9ct/ 18ct thing. Just said I'd noticed the hallmark. He said it was labelled as 18ct, and the jeweller told him it was when he bought it! He seemed genuinely surprised/ upset so I don't know. The jewellers have shut down now so I guess we'll never know.

I don't want to make a big issue out of the price to him, it doesn't really matter after all, its the thought that counts isn't it. I don't want to belittle him or embarrass him. Plus he said he paid half in cash, half by card, so possibly the receipt I saw was only half the price anyway.

I've got it out of my system on here now anyway!

VfM4meplse

Lotus-eater wrote: »

In fact when I bought my OH an engagement ring, we picked it together, then I haggled with the jeweller and got a good amount off. My family told me off for haggling.... like it means less because I paid less.....? I've never understood this attitude.

I've got no issue with haggling if it means you get more for less. But I would expect a minimum 3 carat solitaire, and they don't come cheap.

Lotus-eater

VfM4meplse wrote: »

I've got no issue with haggling if it means you get more for less. But I would expect a minimum 3 carat solitaire, and they don't come cheap.

I don't know if you're joking, but if your not, then that's pretty sad.

purple.sarah

mrcow wrote: »

In fact, I'd probably ask if we could rebuy the engagement ring. Tell him you'd like white gold instead as you're going to have to wear it every day and you'll help him choose it.

If he says that he's already spent a fortune on the ring, tell him that you know he didn't as you have the receipt.

Pick a ring, and let him do the rest. If you leave yourself festering on this, it's going to turn into even more of a "thing"

If I bought someone a gift and they dug out the receipt and asked if we could "rebuy" it and they'd "help" me choose a more expensive version then I would reconsider the relationship. I certainly wouldn't buy them anything again! Sorry but this just makes you sound like a gold digger! But not just any gold, it has to be white gold!