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Never heard of the store! As far as whether or not that is a good price... it really depends on a couple things but I'm going to lean towards no. Here are the variables to look at:
- Is the ring gold or platinum? Platinum is going to run maybe 500-1000 more than gold
- How big is the center diamond? Although the total weight stays the same, the bigger the main diamond the more expensive it will be
- What is the quality of the center diamond? Once again, higher quality = more money.
Now... if the bands you're talking about are VERY thin and we're talking about maybe a .6ct perfect diamond + .4 split between the other three bands I think that price is probably good. If you're looking at something like a 1/3 ct with the bands though, I do not think that is good.
Keep in mind too: NEGOTIATE. The price on the tag is not the price you should pay. This weekend FI and I looked at wedding bands and the total sticker price for the two we were looking at was over $3,000. Without even trying to bargain the guy knocked the price down to $1,500. I am sure we could have gotten a bit more off that even.
WHERE did you go that you could negotiate!!?? I have never heard of that!! hehe
Im just trying to find my perfect vintage ring at an affordable price :(
Everything from everywhere seems so overpriced!
I've heard very good things about Ben Bridge. A lot of my friends and family have gone with them. We would have actually gone with them as well, but found a small, private jeweler who was able to give us a better deal.
@osakagrl-- umm every jewelry store?? haha. I mean I don't know I haven't bought too much jewelry but in my limited experience with a few different stores it is the norm. When my dad went in to buy my mom an anniversary ring I went with him and he talked them down over $2,000. When I went in to buy myself some diamond earrings they were falling all over themselves to give me a better deal so i'd buy sooner. Then when we went in to look at our wedding bands, as I said the list price was something like $3,200 for both and he offered us $1,500 when we said we wanted to think about it. I think if we would have stayed to chat I could have gotten at least another 100 or so off.
I have heard that mall stores tend to be more expensive because they're covering for their rent, and if you want to find someplace where you can negotiate and find lower prices, to look for local jewelers. However, I've never heard anything bad about Ben Bridge! On a side note, we have a friend who works at Ben Bridge and he could have gotten us 20% off (for his friends and family) but we found one we liked better elsewhere. If you know someone who works there though, that's one way to get a lower price without having to negotiate for it :)
I found a beautiful e-ring/band set that I really wanted at Ben Bridge. Unfortunately, someone had already bought it. It had 3 round side stones on either side of the center stone & a matching band w/7 stones. The center stone on the e-ring was a dummy--you'd have to select that stone. But, based on the total carat weight and the platinum band, it wasn't outrageous. Ultimately, I did't get it because they didn't have it any more. I think the set I looked at was about $3600. I believe that even chain stores will give you 10-15% off the list price.
*sigh* anyone have any tips on how to negotiate? Im so terrible with these things because I dont want to come off rude or tacky. :(
http://www.benbridge.com/bb_store/product.php?productid=8649&cat=0&page=1
This is the set that I really want! But I also dont want to be ripped off either. I hate that more then anything!!
What do you guys think? Is this reasonable?
I don't want to appear cheap either when I go in. Usually, I'll ask, "So, is that the best price you can give me?" Sometimes they'll volunteer to give you a discount.
I believe that Ben Bridge is a West Coast thing. In my experiance we've found them extremely pushy and always upsell you. Thus, we've never bought anything from them.
I would look around at some non mall jewelers and see what their prices for 3 ring stones are before you commit. Also, Blue Nile is a good online resource since you can "build your own" ring and select the 4 C's.
That is a beautiful set! Also, I am with iswimibikeirun, my standard phrasing is something like: Well this is a really beautiful set, so lets talk about price. Is this the BEST you can do on this?
If they say yes say you need to think about it and walk away. If they let you walk away then they aren't going to negotiate and if you really want it, get a coke, take a break, and buy it in 20 min. But generally they will negotiate. Good luck!
My e-ring is from Ben Bridge. My experience with the store has been top notch. My FI bought me an ideal-cut solitare IKUMA ring from there. It was too big when he gave it to me, so they downsized it half a size. Then it was too small. The woman helping me personally drove the ring to be re-sized up a quarter of a size for me. She then went and personally picked it up for me so that I could have it back for our engagement dinner. Their service is absolutely top-notch. They don't work on commision so they aren't pushy, and their prices are great.
We did ALOT of research. I knew I wanted an ideal cut diamond because quality was the most important thing to me. For the quality of the diamond I have, I believe we got the best price. We looked at every major jewlery dealer, and Ben Bridge had the best prices and customer service. My diamond is also Canadian, so I know that it is not an African blood diamond.
I would reccomend buying from Ben Bridge. My FI and I are planning on buying our wedding bands from them as well because our experience has been so positive. We will probably also buy our wedding jewlery from them as well. We didn't negotiate on the price because we thought we were getting a good deal and my FI is so non-confrontational I could never imagine him bargining on the price of my e-ring. I guess you could try to negotiate.
Here is a pic of my beauy. I wish you all the best with your e-ring buying experience.
e-ring.jpg (31.8 KB, 66 downloads) 2 years old
Oh, btw, my ring ended up coming from Blue Nile. It isn't exactly the one I tried on at Ben Bridge, but it's similar. I'm glad I went to BB though, b/c until then, I had no idea what I really wanted. We had gone to Bailey Banks and Robbins Brothers before that too to get an idea.
@MissChirpie: Wow thank you so much for your story! It makes me a lot more confident in my choice. I see a lot of people complaining of the staff there being pushy and rude, but the woman who helped me was so sweet and not pushy at all. she knew that when i walked in i wouldnt be buying anything because my boy wasnt there, yet she spent so much time with me. she never took her attention off me despite other customers being there. that really made my jaw drop as i am used to people being so rude to me JUST because I wasnt buying that day!
Does Ben Bridge clean your ring for free? I know that when you purchase a ring in order to keep your lifetime warranty in tact you have to get it checked every 6 months. could they clean it at that time??
Keep those stories coming!!! I really need the feedback otherwise i go crazy!!
Every time I am in the mall, I bring my ring in to get cleaned, and they are always happy to do it for me. And, it is always free! 
Goodness! NOW I am excited! : )
I really loved the ring, and they seemed so friendly and nice.
Your definetely making more confident in my decision ^^
I also had a fab experience at Ben Bridge -- we have them in Texas. I fell in love with my ring (it was in a store window, hee) long before the boy and I ever talked about getting engaged and after we got serious, I went in without him to try it on -- just so I didn't make a fuss over something I'd wind up not liking. The associates were great, really nice and when we went there together they were the opposite of pushy. And yes, they do clean it for free, whenever you ask, though I'm supposed to take mine in at least every six months to avoid invalidating the warranty.
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Hello Everyone!
So a little bit of backround, i am wearing a temporary ring right now (as my wedding band) because my FI/Husband and I have to save our money to pay for immigration proceedings. but next year i will be able to upgrade to my actual ring of choice. hence my search!
I had a quick question for everyone. I was in my local mall the other day and saw Ben Bridge. I thought, "What the heck? Lets take a look!" I was greeted by a wonderful associate there who was so excited to help me pick out a ring. I described wanting a vintage inspired ring and she said she had just the thing! I saw the ring and fell in love!
Its a 3 band set. 2 bands are just bands of small diamonds and the middle band is a stone with smaller diamonds on the side. Its BEAUTIFUL and I was so excited!
Overall it was about 1 ct adding all 3 bands. and it is 3000 with tax and everything. Is that expensive? What is the quality of this store? Has anyone bought from them before???