8 replies to this topic

[north27]

Hi Everyone,

I got the go-ahead from my girlfriend's parents this morning so the search for a ring is on. Actually, I've been playing around with bluenile.ca for a few days now and really like it, but I think I'm somehow not confident enough that the ring I choose has to cross the border and I might get slapped with some heavy customs charges. (I'm Canadian and I've had some bad experiences buying things online from the US in the past, especially when it comes to customs...)

Any Canadians out there who can reassure me that they've had no problems dealing with bluenile.ca?

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[north27]

Well, I haven't heard from anyone but I decided to bite the bullet and order from bluenile.ca anyway. I'm expecting the diamond very soon! I must say they have great customer service. Their associate on the phone answered all my questions and reassured me that everything would be fine.

[Bails]

north27, on Wednesday, Apr 23 2008, 09:59 AM, said:

Well, I haven't heard from anyone but I decided to bite the bullet and order from bluenile.ca anyway. I'm expecting the diamond very soon! I must say they have great customer service. Their associate on the phone answered all my questions and reassured me that everything would be fine.

You'll have to let us know how it goes. I've also been checking out that site as it seems to be one of the more reputable sites and also offering the best prices. I've talked to jewelers who say they have a very tough time beating BlueNile's pricing.

thanks.

[north27]

hey bails,
i've been checking on the status of my ring and it's "on the jeweler's workbench" as we speak. it's a good feeling to know that their online tracking system is updated frequently -- makes the process that much better. the diamond should be shipped tomorrow! i'll let you know how it goes once i get it.

[north27]

The ring arrived today! Just in time! I am absolutely thrilled with it and would definitely use bluenile.ca again. It even came with an appraisal that can be shown to the insurance people and my eyes popped when I saw that the appraisal value was MORE THAN DOUBLE what I paid for it. Will upload pics soon!

[denverappraiser]

north27, on Friday, Apr 25 2008, 01:27 PM, said:

It even came with an appraisal that can be shown to the insurance people and my eyes popped when I saw that the appraisal value was MORE THAN DOUBLE what I paid for it. Will upload pics soon!

Congratulations North,

This appraisal is not the good news you are thinking. The problem isn’t with the ring or the deal, it’s with the appraisal and the insurance. With most insurance companies, what happens in the case of a loss is that they will have their expert shoppers look for another ring of ‘like kind and quality’ to the one that you lost. They know about bluenile too, and they can get at least a good a deal as you can. Remember, these are full time professional shoppers backed with enormous buying power. Who cares? The premiums you pay to your insurance will be based on a percentage of the bottom line value of the appraisal you submit while their behavior in the case of a loss will be based on how much it actually costs them to replace the piece. By submitting an appraisal for more than double the cost of the piece, you are more than doubling your insurance rates while getting nothing for it in terms of better coverage.

Sometimes a 'free' appraisal can turn out to be one of the most expensive parts of the whole deal.

Neil

[north27]

denverappraiser, on Friday, Apr 25 2008, 02:31 PM, said:

north27, on Friday, Apr 25 2008, 01:27 PM, said:

It even came with an appraisal that can be shown to the insurance people and my eyes popped when I saw that the appraisal value was MORE THAN DOUBLE what I paid for it. Will upload pics soon!

Congratulations North,

This appraisal is not the good news you are thinking. The problem isn’t with the ring or the deal, it’s with the appraisal and the insurance. With most insurance companies, what happens in the case of a loss is that they will have their expert shoppers look for another ring of ‘like kind and quality’ to the one that you lost. They know about bluenile too, and they can get at least a good a deal as you can. Remember, these are full time professional shoppers backed with enormous buying power. Who cares? The premiums you pay to your insurance will be based on a percentage of the bottom line value of the appraisal you submit while their behavior in the case of a loss will be based on how much it actually costs them to replace the piece. By submitting an appraisal for more than double the cost of the piece, you are more than doubling your insurance rates while getting nothing for it in terms of better coverage.

Sometimes a 'free' appraisal can turn out to be one of the most expensive parts of the whole deal.

Neil

WOW. Thanks Neil. Indeed, I am naive. I wonder then if I should go and get it appraised somewhere else to have an unbiased opinion?

[denverappraiser]

If BN gave you a reasonably detailed sales receipt, you can usually bind a policy using that and it'll be for the amount of the transaction. Ask your insurance agent. If not, yes I would recommend getting a real appraisal.

Neil

[arsoncarson]

north27

I 've been very satisfied with Blue Nile.ca. I've purchased twice from them and service and quality and price have been very good. Here is what i have learned: Alberta's Duties and taxes are lower - ship it to a friend or relative in AB (save $470 duties on $6400 ring) and then ship it to BC (less than $50) etc..., Call and speak to a rep - ask them nicely for any promo codes that you could use (10% off), returns for full refunds are a breeze - just ship it back and once they finish their Quality Control you get the credit back.

oh yeah, try getting a quote from diamond.ca. They were reasonably priced for the same diamond, but they took a week to quote for my Cushion cut, Certified canadian, 1 carat, F colour diamond. Shop CDN if you can or makes sense.

Good Luck!
ArsonCarson

Edited by arsoncarson, 11 October 2008 - 06:05 AM.