Grr mad at "my jeweler" - Tiffany rant

[Love Street]

Grrr I''m so mad at Tiffanys right now. We bought my ring from them in 2003 even after finding PS in part bc I liked the idea of being part of that history. I had a GREAT SA in Houston who was so nice and really took care of me, including getting a stone replaced free of charge when it fell out of my shared prong band (and I was 3 months out of their supposed year warranty and CS initially told me they''d have to charge me).

Well fast forward to now. I moved back to CA and don''t really "have" a SA here. My shared prong has totally been eating away at my e-ring for 4 years (I''ve posted the pics on here before) to the point where I wonder if it might actually go all the way through the prongs. Hubby and I have been talking about a possible new ring for our 5 year anny next year, in which case I was planning to get the prongs fixed on the T&Co, get it resized, and wear it as a RHR (it''s a 3-stone ring). Plus, I''ve been wanting to get a new appraisal certificate for insurance purposes since it''s been 5 years, and retail on my shared prong w-band has increased by 33% since we got it in 2004, so I''m sure e-ring replacement cost has gone up too (we have them insured through Amica''s homeowners riders).

So this morning I called them to find out 1) process for new appraisal 2) repairing my worn prongs 3) resizing. These are very simple questions, yet I was sent to three different people at different numbers for ten mins of being shuffled around and told to call other numbers.

Finally when I get someone who knows something here''s what I find out:
1) $100 to reappraise ring.
2) Worn prongs might require remount. He couldn''t give me an estimate for the 3 stone ring but said remounting a simple solitaire is $600!!! So for my 3 stone it would undoubtedly be more expensive since they''d have to unmount and remount the sidestones as well.
3) Resizing (1/2 size up for my RH): $170!!

WTF??!!! I can''t believe we paid the Tiffany premium and then NOTHING is included in terms of maintenance except basically cleaning. That really sucks, and it''s really disappointing. I wonder if my SA is still in Houston. If he could get any of those things taken care of at reduced costs, it might be half worth it to fly down. It would almost be better to let the prongs wear all the way through and then have insurance cover the cost of the repair.

Well sorry to vent, and thanks for listening. Maybe I have some sort of warped perspective and shouldn''t feel so entitled just bc we paid their inflated prices, but like I''m being nickled and dimed by this company. I''m curious to know other PSers'' experiences with getting these services, whether from T Co or elswhere.

Thanks again.

 

[Mayflower25]

Hi LoveStreet,

I''m so sorry to hear about the grief that Tiffany''s is causing you! Their SA definitely should not have kept shuffling you around on the phone- they should have taken your info and called you back with ALL of the answers instead. Despite this workaround, I''d recommend that you go into your nearest Tiffany''s and have them inspect the ring so they can give you an accurate estimate of the costs. I''m assuming what they quoted you is the "worst-case" scenario.

Is your wedding band also from Tiffany''s? If so, then I would claim that this is a boo boo on Tiffany''s part- for selling you a set that would undoubtedly wear poorly on your ering (eek! the thought of this makes me cringe

!! In this case, I would REFUSE to pay for any repairs to the ering.

With regards to the reappraisal of your original ering, I think you should take a second look at your insurance policy. Does your policy only cover you for ''X'' amount listed on the appraisal, or for a ring with the same specs? For example, I''m with State Farm and my policy will replace with ''A'' brand name, ''B'' carat, ''C'' cplor...etc (according the appraisals details). Depending on these details, it may not be necessary to have your ring reappraised.

I know that only the first resizing is "free" with the ring purchase, but I don''t recall the additional sizing fee being as high as $170. Again, double check with Tiff''s in-store. You may be able to negotiate on that fee, especially if your situation matches the scenario I listed in the second paragraph above.

Keep us posted on the results! Good luck & I hope Tiff''s provides you with the service you deserve!

 

[UCLABelle]

WOW! That is a bummer. Which Tiffany's?

Also, my e-ring has been resized 3 times by T&Co for free-and I do not have a SA or anything (I am also the 2nd owner of the ring!).

Somewhat related note- a remount cost for my e-ring was going to be $4400 (of course, that was adding baguettes instead of my trilliants). They would NOT take the old mounting to reduce the cost....which is why it was so high

Sorry things are not working for you. Aside from their high cost, I have never had a problem

 

[Love Street]

Thanks for your reply Mayflower! I feel foolish for such a rambling vent, but I was pretty floored at the crappy customer service on the basic level (the clueless CS reps and long hold times) and then topped off by the high prices for the services I inquired about.

My w-band is from T&Co also, and my SA didn''t warn me that it would eventually be a problem (and I wasn''t so PS savvy at that time - it didn''t occur to me it would b bad). Pics are toward the bottom of this thread.

You have a good point re: insurance. I do think that my homeowner''s rider also specifies X brand, Y color, etc. so that they SHOULD replace it with a like quality T&Co ring, even if the replacement price has gone up in 5 years.

Apparently, Cartier is the same way: $100 to send another valuation certificate for my hubby''s custom platinum trinity band, and it has to be shipped back to NY also. So, I''ll clarify with my ins. co and hopefully won''t have to do anything there.

I WAS surprised at the resizing cost - I thought that one-time resizing would be complimentary. I did not need my ring resized when I bought it, but would like to get it done once to fit on my right hand. Maybe this is something my dear old SA could have done for me free of red tape and costs...

Oh well, I''ll get over it. Thanks again for sufferning through my rant and rave - I''m embarassed now.

 

[Love Street]

Date: 7/15/2008 2:29:41 PM
Author: UCLABelle
WOW! That is a bummer. Which Tiffany''s?

Also, my e-ring has been resized 3 times by T&Co for free-and I do not have a SA or anything (I am also the 2nd owner of the ring!).

Somewhat related note- a remount cost for my e-ring was going to be $4400 (of course, that was adding baguettes instead of my trilliants). They would NOT take the old mounting to reduce the cost....which is why it was so high

Sorry things are not working for you. Aside from their high cost, I have never had a problem

Thanks UCLA Belle - I love your ring by the way!!!

I cannot believe you''ve had it resized free of charge like that! I bought my w-band and e-ring in Houston, but now I''m back in the LA area. South Coast is more convenient to me, and I''ve been there more often than the Beverly Hills store, but I don''t have a fave SA yet. Where did you go for resizing?

Wow - that''s hard to believe about the price of remount!!! I''m sure mine would be at least $1200. It would be cheaper to buy a little diamond channel set band to wear as a spacer. Maybe I should start wearing the e-ring on my RH now to save what''s left of the prongs...

Thanks for your sympathy - I do feel a little sheepish now....

 

[surfgirl]

I use the South Coast T&C...we have one where I live but I dont like the SAs there as much as the one I use at South Coast. Why dont you try to make a date to stop by and speak with Carla Price. She''s very nice and very helpful, no attitude at all.

 

[kcoursolle]

I''m surprised they won''t do the remount for a reduced price considering that they sold you two rings that they often advertise together as a set...so they should be able to be worn together without hurting each other.

The appraisal cost seems normal to me, as an independent appraiser would be about $100. The sizing charge seems a little steep...but it is tiffanys I suppose. Although it would be nice to get better service for free from expensive designers, it seems that everything from these stores is just more expensive...boo

 

[RxTechRN2b]

I have 2 T&Co rings that I bought in the correct size, but I was told the first resizing is comlimentary. However, I wouldn''t expect a new mounting for free. Can you put a small band between your rings, or wear one on your right hand? It''s a shame to let them ruin each other!

 

[dockman3]

I''m sorry to hear that T&Co is treating you so poorly. I don''t know anything about them, but I do know that you should get an independent appraisal and not one from T&Co. The independent appraisal will be more accurate as it is an unbiased appraisal. Even if your insurance is a "like kind and quality" policy, that still only applies up to the dollar value of your policy. If it costs more than the insurance amount to replace with "like kind and quality", then you have to foot the bill for the difference. That''s why and independent appraisal is important. It''ll still be about $100, but it''ll be worth the peace of mind to know that you got what T&Co said you got.

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

The price of any jewelry work is high nowadays, not just with Tiffany. Could be because metals are so expensive. I know it is shocking. I have felt my jaw drop when getting quotes from jewelers.

I am not sure which ring you are thinking about wearing as a RHR, but I think that is a great idea, especially since it was your first ring.

 

[february2003bride]

Date: 7/15/2008 6:02:12 PM
Author: NeverEndingUpgrade
The price of any jewelry work is high nowadays, not just with Tiffany. Could be because metals are so expensive. I know it is shocking. I have felt my jaw drop when getting quotes from jewelers.

I am not sure which ring you are thinking about wearing as a RHR, but I think that is a great idea, especially since it was your first ring.

Have diamond prices gone up as well? I was looking at Blue Nile for DH''s friend who wants to propose and couldn''t believe that prices were much higher then when I bought in December 07!

 

[Love Street]

Surfgirl - thanks for the recommendation. If I meet with Carla I''ll tell her that "the girl with the gorgeous OEC vintage ring" sent me!
If you see her first could you put in a good word for me?
Kcoursolle - so true about things being more expensive at these designer places. Oh well.

RxTechRN - thanks for listening. I might eventually like to get a thin channel set (or similar, non-shared prong) band to wear between them. I didn''t like the way plain platinum looked though on me though - I have short fingers and it looked sort of utilitarian and cluttered on my short finger! I''m not even sure a diamond option would work, but have yet to try it.
I would consider wearing my ering on my RH but... I need it sized first! My RH is bigger than my left.

Dockman - thanks for your thoughts. I probably need the valuation to come from T Co since they are in the best position to know the replacement cost of the ring. I''m not worried it''s not what they say it is - its just for insurance valuation. (I assume an independant appraiser would take the T & Co branding into account in their assessment though).

Hmmm. I was saving for my upgrade next year so hate to spend thousands on remounting or buying pretty diamond spacer/stacking bands. I might just see if I can make friends with a SA who will get it resized for my RH free of charge....

Thanks again everyone for bending an ear.

 

[Love Street]

Date: 7/15/2008 6:16:55 PM
Author: february2003bride

Date: 7/15/2008 6:02:12 PM
Author: NeverEndingUpgrade
The price of any jewelry work is high nowadays, not just with Tiffany. Could be because metals are so expensive. I know it is shocking. I have felt my jaw drop when getting quotes from jewelers.

I am not sure which ring you are thinking about wearing as a RHR, but I think that is a great idea, especially since it was your first ring.

Have diamond prices gone up as well? I was looking at Blue Nile for DH''s friend who wants to propose and couldn''t believe that prices were much higher then when I bought in December 07!

NeverEndingUpgrade & Feb. 2003 Bride - you''re right re costs going up. There have been threads on here in the past 6-8 months about price increases of diamonds (including at PS vendors) as well as price hikes at Tiffany this past spring, so I wouldn''t be surprised that diamonds at Blue Nile are more expensive than they were 7 months ago.

My ring is a RB with pears, btw, so I think it works well as a stand alone RHR (actually, I almost think it looks better that way on my finger!)

 

[surfgirl]

Date: 7/15/2008 6:23:13 PM
Author: Love Street
Surfgirl - thanks for the recommendation. If I meet with Carla I''ll tell her that ''the girl with the gorgeous OEC vintage ring'' sent me!

If you see her first could you put in a good word for me?

Thank you for the compliment! I haven''t seen her since we got our band at Xmas time though. She''s really very nice and helpful, though if that''s their policy I''m not sure what she can do.

It''s always a bummer to hear people have a bad time with T&C. I just picked up my plain wband today - it was out being inscribed on the inside of the band - and it not only came back perfectly polished, but also in a new little box, with a nifty blue suede "travel bag" and in a nice new bag. I''ve never had a bad experience with them. I hope Carla can help you out. Tell her the couple from San Diego who bought their plain wband at Xmas time sent you! We told her we drove up to buy from her because she''s so much nicer than the SAs at our local T&C, not that they''re bad, but she''s just very nice!

 

[february2003bride]

Date: 7/15/2008 6:47:08 PM
Author: Love Street

Date: 7/15/2008 6:16:55 PM
Author: february2003bride

Date: 7/15/2008 6:02:12 PM
Author: NeverEndingUpgrade
The price of any jewelry work is high nowadays, not just with Tiffany. Could be because metals are so expensive. I know it is shocking. I have felt my jaw drop when getting quotes from jewelers.

I am not sure which ring you are thinking about wearing as a RHR, but I think that is a great idea, especially since it was your first ring.

Have diamond prices gone up as well? I was looking at Blue Nile for DH''s friend who wants to propose and couldn''t believe that prices were much higher then when I bought in December 07!

NeverEndingUpgrade & Feb. 2003 Bride - you''re right re costs going up. There have been threads on here in the past 6-8 months about price increases of diamonds (including at PS vendors) as well as price hikes at Tiffany this past spring, so I wouldn''t be surprised that diamonds at Blue Nile are more expensive than they were 7 months ago.

My ring is a RB with pears, btw, so I think it works well as a stand alone RHR (actually, I almost think it looks better that way on my finger!)

Absolutely! I love the Tiffany RB with pears!

 

[TheDoctor]

Seriously flawed judgement on behalf of your sales associate. Those rings should never have been worn side-by-side without being soldered or welded together.
In defense of Tiffany and Co., they are very corporate, but management are paid dearly to deal with these sorts of issues effectively. This little issue is one of customer service/technical advice which wasn''t properly performed at the time of the original sale, unless you didn''t tell them you would be wearing the rings together full-time.
Drop the damned phone and visit the retailer. Telephone inquiries are not handled well with many corporations. Corporations pay idiots to answer phones because idiots make a lot of calls themselves.... Show an actual senior sales associate or store manager what has happened along with your original sales bills and, be assured, they will be attentive.

 

[butterfly 17]

Date: 7/15/2008 1:10:16 PM
Author:Love Street


Finally when I get someone who knows something here's what I find out:
1) $100 to reappraise ring.
2) Worn prongs might require remount. He couldn't give me an estimate for the 3 stone ring but said remounting a simple solitaire is $600!!! So for my 3 stone it would undoubtedly be more expensive since they'd have to unmount and remount the sidestones as well.
3) Resizing (1/2 size up for my RH): $170!!

Hey, sorry that you are upset by this, but I have to say that although the prices seem crazy, they aren't so bad if you take it into perspective.

First off, the $100 reappraisal fee seems the normal amount to pay for any appraisal, no matter where you go, esp. if they are reputable. I have gotten quotes from people here in NY for appraisals anywhere from $200 to $400, so $100 is not bad at all.

As far as the remount and the resizing, most companies would charge you a fee to remount a stone or resize a ring, maybe not that high, but still something. They can't do it for free, especially since you have had the ring since 2003. I don't know any company that would resize, remount, reprong, etc. any ring without a fee when you have had it for as long as you have. It's not like you just bought it a week ago and had a sizing issue with it.

They still have to pay the benchman for the work done, so I think it is to be expected. As for the price, yeah, it is kind of high, but I would rather have Tiffany's do it than anyone else.

As far as my personal experience, this is what I can tell you. When I got my new diamond, I asked Whiteflash how much it would cost to remount it into my old Ritani setting and the cost was $275. This was just to extend the prongs a little bit since the old stone was 2.03 and the new one was 2.5. I did not have any issues with wear. I decided not to do it since I wanted a new setting anyway.

I just remounted the same diamond into another setting that has 4 prongs. I paid almost $400 for the work at GOG. I was originally quoted $750 when I inquired about mounting it into a 6 prong head instead of the 4 prongs. I decided that the $750 was too much to pay and kept the same 4 prongs anyway. It still cost me a lot, IMO.

The resizing fee is a bit high, but I would want them to do it and no one else, so I would bite the bullet on that. At least if they mess up the Tiffany mark inside they can restamp. If you go somewhere else there is no guarantee that the stamp will be intact after resizing.

I was wondering if the $600 to remount is just for the prong work on a simple solitaire or for a brand new ring? If it is for a brand new ring, that is really cheap considering a knockoff Tiffany mounting in platinum is around $1250 or so.

If it is for just the prong work, it is high, but considering that I just paid $400 for similar work (it was one stone) and there was no extra work to do on my ring, just to extend the prongs to fit my stone, I did not have any worn out prongs, it still seems okay.

Good luck!

 

[butterfly 17]

Oh, I forgot to add, when I had my ritani sapphire ring resized, the one in my avatar, I had ritani resize it and it cost me $300. Just to resize, nothing else.

 

[Love Street]

Date: 7/15/2008 8:44:15 PM
Author: TheDoctor
Seriously flawed judgement on behalf of your sales associate. Those rings should never have been worn side-by-side without being soldered or welded together.
In defense of Tiffany and Co., they are very corporate, but management are paid dearly to deal with these sorts of issues effectively. This little issue is one of customer service/technical advice which wasn''t properly performed at the time of the original sale, unless you didn''t tell them you would be wearing the rings together full-time.
Drop the damned phone and visit the retailer. Telephone inquiries are not handled well with many corporations. Corporations pay idiots to answer phones because idiots make a lot of calls themselves.... Show an actual senior sales associate or store manager what has happened along with your original sales bills and, be assured, they will be attentive.

Dr. - Thanks for your perspective - it''s very true about corporate phone services and telephone reps - usually a lower caliber than one would expect in almost all circumstances. I did think that these were simple enough questions to not warrant a trip to the store, which I wont'' be able to do for at least a couple weeks, but ultimately you''re right that''s where I''d get the best service.

It is surprising that my nice SA didn''t mention anything - maybe it''s because the shared-prong band was twice the price of the channel set we were originally looking at....But I''m not sure I would have believed him had he told me because I did fall in love with the shared-prong and I''m sure I would have gotten it anyway. His only word of warning was durability of shared prong itself with regard to losing a stone - he knew my husband and I are very active and that I would wear my rings camping, rock climbing, swimming in the ocean, etc. - I''m into low maintenance jewelry that I wont have to take off or baby - I don''t know if I explicitly said I w ill always be wearing them together (though I assume I said things to that effect) so a reasonable sales associate with such knowledge should have reasonably inferred or forseen that I''d wear both together.

Then again, can you picture any Tiffany & Co. SA recommending two of their rings be soldered?

 

[Love Street]

Butterfly - thanks for offering some perspective. I knew I needed to take a chill pill before spewing my frustration, but I couldn''t help it!! You''re right, I probably shouldn''t expect these services free (well, except maybe sizing, since it UCLABelle and others have had their rings sized free of charge....).

Thanks for sharing the prices you''ve encountered too - not having done any other work on my very limited collection of jewelry, I had no idea that such minor (to me) tweaking could cost so much.

Re the $600 "remount" price - the rep was differentiating between "prong work" (i.e. "re-tipping") or a "remount." The co. would determine which was required upon viewing the actual ring and the damage/wear. He couldn''t estimate the cost of either for my 3-stone ring because it depends on the type of wear and labor required, but to give me an idea he said the "remount" on the solitaire was $600. As I think back over that convo, I''m not sure myself whether he was talking about an entirely new setting OR unmounting the diamond, fixing (replacing?) the worn prongs, and then remounting the stone. I suspect it''s the latter, just solely based on your very good point that if it''s an entirely new setting that would seem extraordinarily cheap (and I don''t see "cheap" being a trend here!)

Thanks again for your help and sharing those numbers - it helps me and I''m sure it will help hubby who was also very peeved and not inclined to vent to a diamond forum (sometimes venting can lead to enlightenment though, right?!)