Help! Appraiser knocked out side-stone

[nalyd]

Day 2 of owning the ring and I go to an appraiser - listed here on PS. It's a one hour - while you wait deal and I stay in the waiting area.

When he comes back - he says one of the sides -tones is missing (and noted it on the report). The ring was perfect (when I inspected it that morning) and comes from a reputable PS vendor with excellent QA. So, although I do not have proof, I am certain he knocked it out. Almost to confirm my suspicion, he then proceeded to drop the ring 3 feet onto a hard table in front of me!!!

I didn't complain about the missing stone or the drop right then - but the more I think of it, the more it makes me

What rights do I have? Is there anything I can do to get compensated/redressed?

 

[denverappraiser]

Start by discussing it with your appraiser and tell them your concerns. It would have been better to have this conversation immediately after they came back with the ring but better late than never. It’s common for an early step in an appraisal to be cleaning the piece in a ultrasonic cleaner or with a steamer and if this knocked out the stone it may very well still be in the bottom of their cleaner tank. Come back to us and tell us what the appraiser says and what they offer as a solution.

Note to appraisers. If you office is one that has a ‘waiting area’ where clients can’t watch you through the process, inspect the piece(s) before you take anything out of their sight. A new purchase appraisal on an item that’s missing a stone is a HUGE red flag problem and this should be the very first order of business rather than a footnote in the report. Personally I do the whole job in front of the client and video record the entire session as well, partially for this reason. It protects both the clients interests and my own.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Jewelry Appraisals in Denver

 

[nalyd]

Wow, I wish I had you as an appraiser!

Here is what I got for my $85

- "Excellent" treatment of my e-ring
- 1 hour in a stuffy waiting room area
- One page report with only L-W-D dimensions which are incorrect, 3 other Cs

I wish I had done my HW!!!

 

[AprilBaby]

Why in the world would he drop it in front of you?????

 

[John P]

Date: 8/15/2008 10:54:05 AM
Author: denverappraiser

Note to appraisers. If you office is one that has a ‘waiting area’ where clients can’t watch you through the process, inspect the piece(s) before you take anything out of their sight. A new purchase appraisal on an item that’s missing a stone is a HUGE red flag problem and this should be the very first order of business rather than a footnote in the report. Personally I do the whole job in front of the client and video record the entire session as well, partially for this reason. It protects both the clients interests and my own.

This kind of "check in" procedure is included in coursework for many gemological degrees. It should be a no-brainer.

I also believe part of the romance of an appraisal is for the client to watch and learn, when possible.

Here is a recent journal article overview on appraisals:
http://journal.pricescope.com/Articles/58/1/%e2%80%9cAppraise-the-Appraiser%e2%80%9d---Help-for-Consumers.aspx

 

[nalyd]

Why in the world would he drop it in front of you?????


>>>>>>>>> Butterfingers from a supposedly "30 year old veteran"!


************* Side question .... how to automatically include the post I am replying to? - like how John has done above?

 

[nalyd]

Now I am really growing suspicious - left 2 messages - he promised to call back but I haven't heard from him. I am beginning to doubt the authenticity of his appraisal!!

John - the link was eye-opening. I feel like sending it to the clown I had the pleasure of dealing with!!!

 

[denverappraiser]

Date: 8/15/2008 4:48:08 PM
Author: nalyd
Why in the world would he drop it in front of you?????



>>>>>>>>> Butterfingers from a supposedly '30 year old veteran'!



************* Side question .... how to automatically include the post I am replying to? - like how John has done above?

When you fill out the reply box, there is a button near the top left titled 'quote' this will quote whatever post you were replying to.

Have you spoken with the selling jeweler about it yet?

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Jewelry Appraisals in Denver

 

[nalyd]

Date: 8/15/2008 10:54:05 AM
Author: denverappraiser
Start by discussing it with your appraiser and tell them your concerns. It would have been better to have this conversation immediately after they came back with the ring but better late than never. It’s common for an early step in an appraisal to be cleaning the piece in a ultrasonic cleaner or with a steamer and if this knocked out the stone it may very well still be in the bottom of their cleaner tank. Come back to us and tell us what the appraiser says and what they offer as a solution.

Note to appraisers. If you office is one that has a ‘waiting area’ where clients can’t watch you through the process, inspect the piece(s) before you take anything out of their sight. A new purchase appraisal on an item that’s missing a stone is a HUGE red flag problem and this should be the very first order of business rather than a footnote in the report. Personally I do the whole job in front of the client and video record the entire session as well, partially for this reason. It protects both the clients interests and my own.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Jewelry Appraisals in Denver

Nothing! We didn't put it in the tank because it was so new. It had fallen out before you got here. Go back to your jeweler and duke it out with them. Oh well - I don't have proof except my own/fiancee's word ... so will have to take this on the chin.

Luckily, it was a smaller one so hopefully shouldn't be too expensive to fix!

I did my due-diligence on the purchase but was a little lax on choosing the appraiser and what happens .... WHAM!!! Just goes to show how valuable tools like PS are ... if one uses them well

Thanks all!

 

[denverappraiser]

It’s correct that stones shouldn’t come out of new items, even if it WAS in the appraisers cleaner and even when dropped and the jeweler will probably reset it for free or for a discount although you may need to pay for the shipping depending on where you and the jeweler are located. While they’re at it, have them check everything else as well.

You mentioned that this is appraiser is in the PS recommend list. You might want to message the admin with a link to this thread and tell them who it is. This is not an example of good customer service.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Jewelry Appraisals in Denver

 

[nalyd]

Date: 8/15/2008 6:28:20 PM
Author: denverappraiser
It’s correct that stones shouldn’t come out of new items, even if it WAS in the appraisers cleaner and even when dropped and the jeweler will probably reset it for free or for a discount although you may need to pay for the shipping depending on where you and the jeweler are located. While they’re at it, have them check everything else as well.

You mentioned that this is appraiser is in the PS recommend list. You might want to message the admin with a link to this thread and tell them who it is. This is not an example of good customer service.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Jewelry Appraisals in Denver

Thanks Neil. I will do that - especially after reading the link that John posted, I feel that I got a raw deal and my experience with the individual is not PS worthy.

Ps: When I talked to them, I mentioned the fact that I was surprised we weren't invited to observe. The lady goes - oh because of liability reasons we can't have you anywhere other than the waiting area!!

 

[Modified Brilliant]

Date: 8/15/2008 6:45:08 PM
Author: nalyd

Date: 8/15/2008 6:28:20 PM
Author: denverappraiser
It’s correct that stones shouldn’t come out of new items, even if it WAS in the appraisers cleaner and even when dropped and the jeweler will probably reset it for free or for a discount although you may need to pay for the shipping depending on where you and the jeweler are located. While they’re at it, have them check everything else as well.

You mentioned that this is appraiser is in the PS recommend list. You might want to message the admin with a link to this thread and tell them who it is. This is not an example of good customer service.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Jewelry Appraisals in Denver

Thanks Neil. I will do that - especially after reading the link that John posted, I feel that I got a raw deal and my experience with the individual is not PS worthy.

Ps: When I talked to them, I mentioned the fact that I was surprised we weren''t invited to observe. The lady goes - oh because of liability reasons we can''t have you anywhere other than the waiting area!!

?????????????????????????????????

John is right; many of us really like you to ask questions, watch how we use the equipment and make you feel part of the process.

Most of my younger clients have never been to a professional appraiser/gemologist and have no idea what to expect.

It''s important to meet or exceed expectations of the consumer and make them feel comfortable with the appraisal process.

It''s not only good business..but it''s important to convey a positive and professional image of our industry.

www.metrojewelryappraisers.com

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/15/2008 6:45:08 PM
Author: nalyd

Date: 8/15/2008 6:28:20 PM
Author: denverappraiser
It’s correct that stones shouldn’t come out of new items, even if it WAS in the appraisers cleaner and even when dropped and the jeweler will probably reset it for free or for a discount although you may need to pay for the shipping depending on where you and the jeweler are located. While they’re at it, have them check everything else as well.

You mentioned that this is appraiser is in the PS recommend list. You might want to message the admin with a link to this thread and tell them who it is. This is not an example of good customer service.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Jewelry Appraisals in Denver

Thanks Neil. I will do that - especially after reading the link that John posted, I feel that I got a raw deal and my experience with the individual is not PS worthy.

Ps: When I talked to them, I mentioned the fact that I was surprised we weren''t invited to observe. The lady goes - oh because of liability reasons we can''t have you anywhere other than the waiting area!!

I hope so, as I have been hoping you would name who it is. If you are not comofortable with that, at least if Andrey knows who it is, he can delete them from the list.

And I''m really sorry you''ve had such a bad experience.