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Aggressive Ring Vendor - Help!

g3m5

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 5, 2019
Messages
3
Hi guys, long time lurker but first time poster here.

I was just hoping for some advice on a difficult vendor I’ve been dealing with in regards to a sapphire engagement ring that was bought off the shelf.

I purchased a sapphire engagement ring from a small store in Sydney on Thu 13 June 2019, and after getting it back from resizing noticed what appeared to be superglue all over the centre stone and setting. I took it to two independent jewellers for their opinion on whether that was normal, and they told me that it was poor workmanship and I should take it back for a refund.

On Tue 18 June I returned to the store to request a refund, but was told that a complete remake of the setting would resolve the issues, and the remade ring would meet expectations, and could be changed to a bezel setting in rose gold instead of white gold. I picked up the remade ring on Sat 29 June. After noticing some issues with the remade ring and visiting a bench jeweller for an expert opinion, I was told that there appeared (again) to be superglue beneath some of the stones, and that the setting was off centre and badly made with visible asymmetry and flaws:
  • Uneven gaps between the edge of the bezel setting and halo, which are evident to the naked eye
  • A distinct downwards slant in the halo
  • Unevenness in the basket of the setting – one side more rounded than the other
  • A blob of what appeared to (again) be superglue beneath one of the halo stones
  • A pave’ diamond in the ring shank had been drilled down too deep
I returned to the store on Wednesday 3 July to request a refund and left my contact details for the salesperson to pass onto the owner, as only the owner can issue refunds.

After hearing nothing back from the owner I returned on Thursday 4 July to follow up and was told that the owner refused to issue a refund, and wanted to have the ring ‘fixed’ again by the same jeweller as it had already cost them money to fix it the first time.

I called Fair Trade NSW for advide and was told to issue the vendor with a ‘Letter of Demand’, requesting a refund in writing. After trying multiple times to contact them via their listed phone number and email address, and having my letter bounce back three times, I went to Centre Management and asked for them to deliver my letter to the owner.

On Fri 5 July at 1:17pm, the store owner called me from a blocked caller ID, and proceeded to shout at me, saying that he would see me in court, nobody had “forced” me to buy the ring, and that he refused to provide a refund on the grounds that I had gotten Centre Management involved.

On the advice of friends and colleagues, I went back to Centre Management to let them know that one of their tenants had just called my personal number to shout at me aggressively. It was super awkward because I was crying like an absolute freak and struggled to explain very well.

Centre Management called me back later and said that during their phone call the owner had been unrelenting in his decision to not issue a refund, and that I should lodge a complaint with the Dept. of Fair Trading. Interestingly the Centre Manager said that the owner had admitted that the ring was glued, but that was because it had been “made in a rush”.

Unfortunately I only have one photo of the original ring, and no photos of the issues with the remade setting as I honestly didn’t think this would be happening or that I would need to. In the photo you can see how the prongs dont cover the stone at all, and the ring head appears jagged and uneven. Since the image quality is low you can’t quite make out the superglue, but it was all around the centre stone prongs and beneath the halo stones.

While the remade ring had been made to a better standard than this it still looks rough and uneven, and I can’t trust any piece of ‘fine’ jewellery that had any superglue stuck to the underside of any of the stones.

I am at a loss for what to do, as at present I have neither my money nor the ring.


Ring.jpg
 

Bron357

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jan 22, 2014
Messages
6,532
I’m so sorry, words fail me.
NO jeweller uses Super Glue in a ring!
NO jeweller.
Did you pay by credit card? If yes, you can dispute the charge “goods not as described/ not received”.
How upsetting for you. That is the crappiest excuse for a ring I’ve ever seen. Blind Freddie could have done a more professional job.
If you paid cash or Cheque you will have to go through the Small Claims Court or Fair Trading. It might take some time unfortunately.
I’m in Sydney. If you need a reputable, trustworthy jeweller, visit Jarrett Jewellery in Town Hall Arcade (end near Sydney Town Hall). They do all my jewellery making.
 

missy

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jun 8, 2008
Messages
53,978
Gosh how awful. I am so sorry. How did you pay? If you used PayPal or a credit card call them and explain what happened and do a charge back. I hope you can find a satisfactory resolution to this and get your money back and start over with perhaps the jewelry @Bron357 recommended. If she recommends them I would trust them. Good luck.
 

g3m5

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 5, 2019
Messages
3
I’m so sorry, words fail me.
NO jeweller uses Super Glue in a ring!
NO jeweller.
Did you pay by credit card? If yes, you can dispute the charge “goods not as described/ not received”.
How upsetting for you. That is the crappiest excuse for a ring I’ve ever seen. Blind Freddie could have done a more professional job.
If you paid cash or Cheque you will have to go through the Small Claims Court or Fair Trading. It might take some time unfortunately.
I’m in Sydney. If you need a reputable, trustworthy jeweller, visit Jarrett Jewellery in Town Hall Arcade (end near Sydney Town Hall). They do all my jewellery making.

Thanks so much, I was starting to worry that I was being crazy or overreacting.

Unfortunately I paid via debit card and it cost half of the savings we have. It really looks like this will be going through Fair Trading with the owner digging in his heels to fight this to the end.

I actually bought the ring from a vendor at the Strand Arcade, as I stupidly assumed that the tenants there would be reputable...

Thanks for the recommendation, hopefully if this is ever over I’ll be able to get something that hasn’t been glued at all.
 

g3m5

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 5, 2019
Messages
3
Gosh how awful. I am so sorry. How did you pay? If you used PayPal or a credit card call them and explain what happened and do a charge back. I hope you can find a satisfactory resolution to this and get your money back and start over with perhaps the jewelry @Bron357 recommended. If she recommends them I would trust them. Good luck.

Thanks :)
Unfortunately I paid via debit card and the vendor is arguing that the issues are minor and acceptable as it is a handmade ring. I’ve never had to go through Fair Trading before, but fingers crossed that the process doesn’t kill me.
 

Lisa Loves Shiny

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Nov 1, 2007
Messages
4,687
This is horrible. Especially since you used half your savings hoping for a piece that would bring you joy for years to come. Crossing my fingers that you get your well deserved refund.
 

OoohShiny

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Apr 25, 2014
Messages
8,228
It could be worth speaking to your bank, even if you paid on a Debit Card - you never know, they might have similar dispute processes as those for credit cards.
 

GliderPoss

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Sep 25, 2008
Messages
2,936
OMG seriously in the Strand Arcade!? Yikes, I know it's touristy but I would have thought fairly safe spot to purchase anyway. :cry2: I'm so sorry, I'd definitely keep chasing a refund as no way that is what you paid for. The only reason the owner keeps being so aggressive is he KNOWS he is in the WRONG! Call Fair Trading asap...
 
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