Tiffany is suing one our our very favorite stores, COSTCO, over the engagement rings sold… wrongly labeling them as “Tiffany”!
From the ChicagoTribune:
“… The trademark lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court also calls on Costco to forfeit profits from the ring sales, plus damages of $2 million per infringement.
Tiffany said it believes hundreds, if not thousands, of Costco members bought engagement rings they believed were authentic Tiffany products but were not.”
NOTE: We know that Housewives also love Costco!!! One of the OC Housewives was the subject of this National Enquirer blind item back on January 11, 2012:
The answer to the not-so-blind-item was, OF COURSE, the HoneyBooBoo of the OC…
Tamballs Barney… admitted that she was the Costco-browsing Housewife two months after the blind item was mentioned:
Tamra: This is a funny story and the first time I have ever told it publicly. Eddie and I are big Costco fans and go together once a week. Everyone knows that the jewelry is right when you walk in. For the past year, I would look and try on the rings, and he would always drag me away telling me if I didn’t stop he would actually buy me a Costco ring one day. I told him I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Guess what? He did! The best part is, it came in bulk! We often joke that we will get married at Costco. I love my ring and it is the exact ring I had been looking at for the past year. However, I am having my jeweler at Nuggets and Carats design two pave eternity wedding bands to go on each side of the ring.
We love Costco!!
And, again, thank Camille Grammer for thinking of us during one of her last visits!
WHERE’S DD????
Cute Camille family photo.
I’m curious to see if Tiffany will win the case. I’ve looked at the rings a few times and never thought they were from Tiffany’s since I was in Costco at the time. I guess we’ll see where it goes. Since the corporate office is local, I’m thinking the local media will keep up with this story.
I’m wondering if Costco had the Tiffany logo or box or anything that would make you think it was an authentic Tiffany ring??? As a sidenote, I just heard something on the news, saying that Costco is now supplying everything for a wedding, including bridal gowns, flowers, etc. Interesting.
“Investigation revealed rings in a display case at the Huntington Beach Costco labeled with the Tiffany brand, and a salesperson referring to them as Tiffany rings when they were not, according to the lawsuit. Tiffany also discovered that Costco was not using the Tiffany trademarks online for the same products to avoid detection, according to the lawsuit.”
This was not an individual store doing this, it was a corporate decision. It was also not the first time that Costco has been caught selling counterfeit merchandise. They will write a check to Tiffany’s to make the lawsuit go away, in my humble opinion.
Wow. I’d NEVER think that Tiffany would agree to sell their jewelry anywhere. I think most people would be able to tell by the logo and blue box. If they copied that too, they’re in big trouble. That’s terrible.
Yep! I saw a new Kiosk for this at my local Costco.
Really?????? I’ve seen so many “Tiffany-like” or “Tiffany-esque” lines of jewelry, especially in Chinatown and such (NY), but no one has ever tried to pass it off as the real deal. Wow.
I’m in Kirkland, Washington which I believe is the site of the first store so we are a good place to test new things.
As an aside I used Costco’s auto program to buy my car a 1.5 years ago, and got a pretty good deal.
They do have some good programs!
The prices of the supplements on their website are fantastic. Even for pets. Especially the Glucosamine Chondroitin for dog’s joints $30 for 300 tabs. Free shipping and I don’t think you have to be a member to order.
Done, While one is in the “planning” mood at Costco….they can go down a different aisle and pick up their casket at a discounted price as well!
Ooh man! Yeah, I saw that too!!! They could also book a honeymoon before that.
done: Costco has been doing bridal for a few years. Dresses are only available in limited states. TFC!! SH
Ahh, I didn’t know that! They never had bridal things at mine in NY or NJ. Interesting, SH. Thanks. I have to say that I did my own wedding 2 years ago at our co-op and bought most of my items at Sam’s (flowers, food…). I didn’t get my dress from there though.
I’m really surprised to read this because Costco is known for its superior quality control. I don’t think it is true, its probably a ring that looks identical to a Tiffany ring setting, which costs thousands less.
(of course I meant Tiffany costs thousands more than the Costco knockoff, sorry)
Actually the stones Costco gets of are pretty darn good quality. They may not carry the Tiffany name, but they are respectable diamonds.
When I see “tiffany” rings, I know what they mean is the age-old tiffany setting, in other words, a solitary round stone with multiple prongs on a thin band. Just like the brand name “Kleenex” now is used for all tissues, etc. I’m not defending Costco here, but I’d be willing to wager that their diamonds may be of a higher quality than the true Tiffany’s stores. The diamond market is one of the dirtiest and most corrupt ever, and silly consumers waste their money on a little blue box or that ghastly New York diamond market.
I agree with you 100%.
A Tiffany one caret Diamond ring according to the news goes for around $11,000.00. No one would spend that for one in Costco. It’s like the Rolex you buy for $10.00 from the guy on the street in NY.
I disagree. To say any one carat diamond goes for around $11K is inaccurate. It all depends on the clarity (internally flawless vs. inclusions), color, etc. A one carat stone could cost thousands less, or thousands more. Tiffany’s, like any other diamond dealer, offers stones with varying quality. In fact, there was an expose some years ago that revealed Tiffany’s stones to be of lesser quality than they indicated their stones to be. Costco’s diamonds are not counterfeit–they are real and likely high quality (and I’ve seen them offer stones for tens of thousands). Everyone gets sucked in by the Tiffany name and silly blue box. The diamond trade is a dirty deceptive business, whether it is Tiffany (the worst value for your money ever) or the New York diamond district (where un-savvy buyers and tourists think they’ll get a good deal, but they are ripped off every time by the diamond “merchants” there.
Costco should never be considered equal to anything sold on the street, they sell top quality goods including diamonds, and do so at the best price possible because they buy in bulk and can therefore get the best prices possible. Have you looked at their website? Each diamond is graded and certified for color and clarity just as it would be from any reputable diamond merchant. Costco is not Walmart, but in a class all their own.
Is anybody watching the Nascar race? Big wreck already and none of them even know who started it. I do
I know it. Jeff is a nice guy. I think Tony Stewart races dirty though. He’s a little punk.
I agree but Jeff will come back
Martin Truex lives in my town Manahawkin, in fact there is a Blvd. named for him.
Well that’s neat! I think it’s nice how he grew up working so hard with his dad and fishing for oysters. They’re very close. You’re right about Jeff. He’ll come back. He always does!
Manahawkin, NJ? How are you all since Sandy hit? I love LBI – had a house there for 30 years. Have been wanting to come down for a visit to see how everything is doing.
LBI is faring better than Ortley and some of the other towns. Work is going fast and a lot of places are open already;. Fantasy Island opened last weekend. As for the homes well that’s another thing. There is a new FEMA flood map and it’s going to be rough on some. A lot now have to rebuild on stilts at an approx. cost of $30,000 or more. LBI will be business as usual but with most likely less rentals. Come on down it’s there.