former lurker vents about custom setting!

[dr.stacie]

Hi everyone,

First, I am SO glad i found this website! I love love LOVE looking and learning about other people''s bling. I am diamond/jewelry obsessed!


With that being said, I was wondering if anyone had had a similar to the one I describe below. Briefly, we decided to have my solitaire engagement ring re-set (i.e., added some more diamonds here and there). I already had all of the diamonds I wanted to be put in the ring (taken from other rings), and there was already a setting much like the one I wanted so the mold wouldn''t be completely from scratch. At any rate, I went to a local jeweler in the area run by a husband and wife. They are extremely nice and we went through the whole process of customization (i.e., pictures and details).

The jeweler told me it would be done in 10 days. Well, kids, it''s been 25 days. I have called and even stopped by a few times and the last time I dropped in I made the jeweler give me a date in writing (i know i should have done this in the beginning). he keeps telling me that platinum is hard to work with (i am aware of that, thank you) and that his wife has been ill, and he was at a wedding over the weekend, and his kids don''t get home till 4...blah blah blah.

I showed him the piece of paper with his handwriting on it which stated that it would be done no later than MONDAY...which is today. Yea, he still isn''t done. He claims it will be done by later today and he will call.

I am trying to be understanding of all of his dubious excuses, but I am finding it quite difficult at this point. I really want to believe that he will be done this evening, however; I am having a hard time with that, too.

Should I start demanding a certain percentage off for each day it is not complete? I wish I could ask for all of my jewelry back to take it elsewhere, however, i know he''s already set the center stone and just needs to finish paveing the band.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Thanks for letting me vent

 

[mrssalvo]

gosh, I know how hard it is to wait for a ring. some places can get them out in 10 days but I think it's way more common for custom settings to take 4-6 weeks. Of course, the vendor never should have quoted you 10 days if it really wasn't possible. I was quoted 6 weeks for my ring and it was closer to 12. sometimes things happen and it can knock the timetable off. If you are really unhappy and don't want to wait any longer I'd just ask for your stone back and a refund. Since you have a promised date in writing i would think they would comply for you. However, 25 days is still a reletively short period of time and if it's a small business and life issues did come up the delay may be warranted and giving them a little more time might be fair. It's up to you as the customer though how patient you are feeling. I hope they do manage to get it done for you today so you can wear your ring.

ETA: forgot to say welcome to Pricescope

 

[somehowcollide]

welcome to Pricescope, we can always use another diamond obsessed poster

I think, for the most part, I agree with mrssalvo. Custom jewelry work is always tricky, and it is NOT AT ALL unusual for a piece to take longer than quoted. Not to say that it is acceptable, but it is certainly not surprising. I''m not sure if I missed it, but is there a reason why you need it ASAP? I find that in these circumstances, it is in my best interest to give the jeweler the time that they need. I don''t want a rushed job that I will have to send back for improvements. Definitely stay on top your jeweler and let them know how important it is for you to be kept in the loop, but perhaps give them a bit leeway?

 

[neatfreak]

I agree with the above posters wholeheartedly. That being said, I don''t think it would be wrong to ask for a discount for the late delivery, but I do think demanding a discount for each day he''s late is a bit much IMO.

I''d rather it come out right than have him rush it ya know?

 

[pjean]

Welcome!

I hate to join the chorus of "yep, that''s normal", but it seems normal to me. The wax for my ering was completed in February, and we didn''t get the ring until the beginning of May.

I didn''t even have any pave to cause delay! (Although there was a bit of hand engraving, which I''m sure didn''t help)

I think as long as the jeweler is communicating with you, I''d be patient - especially since, as neatfreak points out, I''d rather have it turn out right! Have you seen the work he''s done so far? I might ask to see it, just so you know some progress is being made.

 

[swingirl]

If he hasn't started on the setting yet why don't you cancel the order? If he can't make your schedule it is of no use to request a discount unless you have a contract that says for every late day you get a per day discount. Custom-made anything often goes over the estimated time and if he's having trouble working with platinum he may have had to re-do it or get someone else to complete the project. If you still love his work and trust his skill then be patient.

My custom setting took 7 weeks.

 

[Sharon101]

Good luck. I would point out that he should give you a realistic date as what he is doing is not professional.

If it were possible I would take the job off him if it drags on too long with all the random excuses.

Otherwise, you will just have to wait it out, as it seems that custom usually does take awhile.

Your jeweller didnt do you any favours by getting your hopes up with a too good to be true date of completion. Perhaps he did that to get your business in the first place. I doubt you can expect a discount.

I wish you geed luck here and I hope to gets resolved to your satisfaction.

In some ways I would be reluctant to rush him because then if it doesnt work out he will blame you that you made him rush the job. Its hard to tell what is going on in this situation.

 

[LGK]

Every custom job I''ve had done has take longer than quoted. Once by four days, once by three months. It is just the way it seems to go.

If you like the quality of work the jeweler does, then I''d just keep on pestering them. The typical time frame for a custom setting is 4-6 weeks usually.

 

[kcoursolle]

What a bummer!! Wouldn''t it be great if jewelers were always accurate about how long it takes? While I think he is being unprofessional for telling you later and later, I think it it''s worth waiting it out if you have confidence in their designs and craftsmanship. Custom designs take a long time! If you are still waiting in another couple of months, then I''d probably take my money elsewhere and get my deposit back.