Korean Job Discussion Forums

siborg69 · Joined: 06 Nov 2007

so i dont really want to buy a ring here in korea as they dont really go for the whole engagement ring thing.....only place i can think of is tiffanys but obviously you wont really get your moneys worth there. im looking at rings from home and the place i want to get it from asked me how safe the postal service is here......so what do you guys think? has anyone else done this before?? also, i have a few friends in the military, so would it be safer to get it mailed there? any advice would be appreciated!!

conbon78 · Joined: 05 Jun 2008

I wouldn't trust it. Not for something that valuable and/or that expensive. My husband and I went shopping in the jewelry section of insadong and found all the same stuff you can buy in America, except its more custom made. Prices weren't too bad, depending on what you want.

mayorgc · Joined: 19 Oct 2008

Rings here are overpriced. You should get it from the states or something.

But, if you buy the ring from a retailer who ships to korea, you'll have to pay duties and customs taxes.

The taxation rates increase incrementally. You end up paying tax on top of tax if your ring is expensive. So for example, if your package has a retail value of 5,000,000 won, you'll pay up to 2,000,000 in taxes.

siborg69 · Joined: 06 Nov 2007

ok, thanks for that! i guess i'll try insadong....or as it turns out, i might have a friend coming back to korea sometime next month so might get it mailed to him and get him to bring it back over! but if that doesnt work out, insadong it is. thanks!

summer33ny · Joined: 10 Aug 2006

My fiancee had my ring sent here from the US and proposed to me in Thailand. It is definitly doable! Like someone suggested it is best to have the ring sent to someone who can then forward it to you or bring it with them so you don't get hit with all the taxes & fees. Mine had his sister send it in package--took a week and a half to arrive and she forgot to get insurance on it.! So needless to say, he was very worried that week till it got here.

Don't do Tiffany's. Overrated. I know a lot of people like to use BlueNile. He got mine at Overstock for a great price and I love it!!! And don't forget to do a coupon code search too because you can save an easy $50 or more that way!

By the way--make sure you know her size first! Or order a size up and have it resized later. Returns are not going to be easy.

mosesmoses · Joined: 22 Nov 2007 Location: Edae, Seoul

in korea, your choices are pretty much sketchy places where the diamonds might not even be real or tiffany's and cartier. if you have a friend on base who is willing to buy it for you and then you pay him back, that's the best route. i know people who have done that. then you can order from a mid-line store in the states like zales or kay. but be sure to do it hush hush as using someone else's apo isn't really allowed.

siborg69 · Joined: 06 Nov 2007

thanks for all the info! forgot that a friend of mine from home is leaving soon and back in march, so i think i'll get it sent to him and get him to bring it back.

as for the size....i have a size chart but the only rings she has right now are on her fingers!! no idea how to get one of them without her noticing.......but we'll see what i can do

thanks for the help again, greatly appreciated

madoka · Joined: 27 Mar 2008

I know it's popular to rag on Tiffany's as they are very expensive and they are not for everyone. However, there are some reasons to consider them.

- They will send you a nice certification, both from GIA (not the cheaper EGL) and one from Tiffany's (for insurance purposes as it lists the value of the ring).

- They will clean the ring for life for free. Everytime you pass by a Tiffany's you can drop the ring off to get cleaned without the worry of someone swapping your diamond out. I find this convenient and reassuring.

- You can trade in once to upgrade your ring. So say you buy a $5,000 ring and later in life you make your fortune. You can trade up the old ring for the $5000 you paid for it on a new one.

- Shop around and Tiffany's can have some reasonable deals. Some rings are outrageously expensive. The one I got was a 1.5 carat that wasn't that much more than similar quality diamonds from wholesalers.

- Buy in Oregon. They don't have sales tax and there is a Tiffany's about 30 minutes from the airport. Depending on your budget, you can save a substantial amount.

- Never forget the power that pretty blue box has over women.

- Lastly, your future spouse (and all her friends & family) knows you didn't cheap out. Twisted Evil