AnastasiaBeaverhausen
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2013
- Messages
- 2,496
It all started with me buying a 4.09ct blue sapphire from CeylonSapphireGems on Instagram. I took a chance because his prices were nearly half of US vendors. Also, other PSers seemed to have good experiences buying from him. Unfortunately, the sapphire ended up being a lot darker and grayer than I expected, so I requested a refund per his "100% satisfaction guaranteed" policy.
However, the seller would not send me a return shipping label. So I created one myself for the very first time. BIG MISTAKE. I did everything right except I put the seller's name instead of "CeylonSapphireGems." This error caused the package to bounce back from FedEx to customs, because his name was not registered with VAT system.
Initially, the seller wouldn't go to pick up the package, because he said he would have to pay higher VAT fees if it is not under his company name. Once I realized he really wasn't going to go, I offered to cover the difference if he would just go get the package. When he finally went, we then found out that the package could not be released until the name was fixed. FedEx would have to send him some paperwork to make the name change.
Days pass. The seller claimed his "handling agent" had contacted FedEx to get the paperwork. But he never got them so there was nothing he could do. I asked if he tried contacting FedEx himself. The seller literally responded with, "Plz tel me how." So I actually had to find the phone number for their office (in Sri Lanka, where he is based!) and forwarded it to him. Oh look! Two days later, the paperwork was delivered to him.
Initially, he blamed these delays on him never having someone request a return from him in the 16 years or whatever that he has been in business. Then never mind, he actually had one before but it was years ago. Then no wait, I'm the second return he'd ever gotten. Hold on, make that 3. All happening right now. And all from first time buyers. Huh, how bout that.
Furthermore, he kept using the "never had a return before" bit as an excuse for why he made little effort to make things right even though he really wanted to! So I, as the client and a foreigner to his country, researched banking regulations, phone numbers for businesses, etc. etc., trying to get this all sorted out.
Eventually, the package was released after a 4-week delay.
Phew. Ok, let's get the refund going now! Or so I thought...
After the seller received the package and confirmed that the sapphire was in the same condition as when he sent it, he promised to wire my refund within a day or two.
Note: When I first requested to return the stone, he told me that the only way to move $ out of Sri Lanka was through a black market money exchange agent. I did some research and learned that Sri Lanka has some of the most restrictive laws regarding sending money out of the country. So at the time I thought, "Alrighty, do what you gotta do."
But after 2 business days had passed, I asked him for an update. He responded that he won't be making the wire transfer after all.
After more excuses and delays, CeylonSapphireGems finally admitted he didn't want to wire $ thru his black market money exchange agent, because he'd lose a lot $ on the exchange rate. Instead, this whole time he was waiting for a client to buy a stone from him and have that client send me the money directly. Wait what?
Then one client suddenly became two. After a while and I hadn't heard anything from either client, CeylonSapphireGems eventually agreed to personally wire me my refund and take the loss on the exchange rate if his clients hadn't Zelled me my money by the end of the week. Friday passes. No money to be seen.
CeylonSapphireGems reneged on his word, again. He decided he still wasn't going to complete the wire transfer himself, because of how much money he would supposedly lose. I mean, I understand that exchange rates fluctuate. But isn't this an expected risk when doing business with international clients? And why does he keep saying it's a valid reason to withhold thousands of dollars from someone?
So he continues to insist on waiting for a client to pay me directly. To date, he has sent my personal info (including my full name and home address) to four randos. Well, four that I know of. Awesome.
As of now, CeylonSapphireGems has had the returned item in his possession for 3 whole weeks as well as all of my money. Meanwhile, I'm left with nothing.
So that's the long and the short of it. I hope this post will be helpful to anyone who is considering doing business with CeylonSapphireGems.
Now excuse me while I continue to wait for this next client of his who "will send money today." Although, he's been saying this for the past 5 days so...yeah… Wish me luck!
However, the seller would not send me a return shipping label. So I created one myself for the very first time. BIG MISTAKE. I did everything right except I put the seller's name instead of "CeylonSapphireGems." This error caused the package to bounce back from FedEx to customs, because his name was not registered with VAT system.
Initially, the seller wouldn't go to pick up the package, because he said he would have to pay higher VAT fees if it is not under his company name. Once I realized he really wasn't going to go, I offered to cover the difference if he would just go get the package. When he finally went, we then found out that the package could not be released until the name was fixed. FedEx would have to send him some paperwork to make the name change.
Days pass. The seller claimed his "handling agent" had contacted FedEx to get the paperwork. But he never got them so there was nothing he could do. I asked if he tried contacting FedEx himself. The seller literally responded with, "Plz tel me how." So I actually had to find the phone number for their office (in Sri Lanka, where he is based!) and forwarded it to him. Oh look! Two days later, the paperwork was delivered to him.
Initially, he blamed these delays on him never having someone request a return from him in the 16 years or whatever that he has been in business. Then never mind, he actually had one before but it was years ago. Then no wait, I'm the second return he'd ever gotten. Hold on, make that 3. All happening right now. And all from first time buyers. Huh, how bout that.
Furthermore, he kept using the "never had a return before" bit as an excuse for why he made little effort to make things right even though he really wanted to! So I, as the client and a foreigner to his country, researched banking regulations, phone numbers for businesses, etc. etc., trying to get this all sorted out.
Eventually, the package was released after a 4-week delay.
Phew. Ok, let's get the refund going now! Or so I thought...
After the seller received the package and confirmed that the sapphire was in the same condition as when he sent it, he promised to wire my refund within a day or two.
Note: When I first requested to return the stone, he told me that the only way to move $ out of Sri Lanka was through a black market money exchange agent. I did some research and learned that Sri Lanka has some of the most restrictive laws regarding sending money out of the country. So at the time I thought, "Alrighty, do what you gotta do."
But after 2 business days had passed, I asked him for an update. He responded that he won't be making the wire transfer after all.
After more excuses and delays, CeylonSapphireGems finally admitted he didn't want to wire $ thru his black market money exchange agent, because he'd lose a lot $ on the exchange rate. Instead, this whole time he was waiting for a client to buy a stone from him and have that client send me the money directly. Wait what?
Then one client suddenly became two. After a while and I hadn't heard anything from either client, CeylonSapphireGems eventually agreed to personally wire me my refund and take the loss on the exchange rate if his clients hadn't Zelled me my money by the end of the week. Friday passes. No money to be seen.
CeylonSapphireGems reneged on his word, again. He decided he still wasn't going to complete the wire transfer himself, because of how much money he would supposedly lose. I mean, I understand that exchange rates fluctuate. But isn't this an expected risk when doing business with international clients? And why does he keep saying it's a valid reason to withhold thousands of dollars from someone?
So he continues to insist on waiting for a client to pay me directly. To date, he has sent my personal info (including my full name and home address) to four randos. Well, four that I know of. Awesome.
As of now, CeylonSapphireGems has had the returned item in his possession for 3 whole weeks as well as all of my money. Meanwhile, I'm left with nothing.
So that's the long and the short of it. I hope this post will be helpful to anyone who is considering doing business with CeylonSapphireGems.
Now excuse me while I continue to wait for this next client of his who "will send money today." Although, he's been saying this for the past 5 days so...yeah… Wish me luck!
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