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I''m getting SCAMMED! HELP!

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dsong1

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 11, 2004
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36
I went to Christian Bernard to buy a engagnement ring and to put a long story short, he was willing to order me a diamond that was of pretty good quality and also ordered a ring as well. I come back to look at it the following week and the diamond isn't the same one I had ordered. He says that it's just as good and if I don't want it, I have to at least pay for the ring! The diamond compared to the one I had ordered is complete crap! The depth was some 88%!!!

What should I do? I dont want to buy from him anymore but I dont want to pay for the ring. I already charged it in advance so he is only going to credit me back for the diamond. Please help!

Should I just swallow the $400 for the platinum knife edge ring, keep it and use it for a new purchase of a diamond?
 
If you paid by credit card, dispute it with your card company.
 
Really, you can just dispute it with your credit card company? How? What would be my reason?
 
Well... that a bit of a challenge.

If you're not satisfied with the way their treating you, definitely tell them so. And let them know that if you don't come to a mutual agreement you will have to file a dispute with the card company and file a claim with the BBB. Take someone with you for moral support so you don't buckle.

This is definitely do-able if the diamond hasn't already been set into the setting. They may cave a bit and return your payment, but with a restocking fee of somekind if it has been set.

I'm guessing that they're just trying to strong arm you into the going through with the purchase. That, in an of itself, would make me want to take my money to someone else... then come back and flaunt your ring in front of them later!
 
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On 5/19/2004 1:56:23 PM dsong1 wrote:



What would be my reason?

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This sounds like missrepresented merchandise to me, but maybe other provision in your credit card contract fits better. There were a few older threads with such unfortunate events, it seems that telling the seller in advance that you are going to dispute the payment may also work and save both of you some time.

BTW, was that an 88% deep round brilliant? Quite a unique look I bet
rolleyes.gif
 
Well, I guess my comment is this: IF the ring was supplied FOR the diamond, and the diamond was NOT as agreed, then the ring is out as well.

It was a PACKAGE deal.

If I agreed to buy a car with custom rims and they change the car, I'm not stuck with the rims!? That's just absurd AND it's very very poor business practices.

Be firm. Be PROFESSIONAL. You have a very strong case, you just need to make it rationally. Talk to THE manger.
 
I would think you could claim it was a 'bait and switch' tactic.

win
 


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On 5/19/2004 1:56:23 PM dsong1 wrote:





Really, you can just dispute it with your credit card company? How? What would be my reason?
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you paid for one thing, he's trying to give you something else. seems pretty straightforward to me.



this is like ordering a car and finding out they added rust-proofing without asking you and now want you to pay for it.
 
Honnestly, if this guy isnt giveing you what you want, you shouldnt give him a dime. Why bother? Both you and he agreed on a specific item. He went outside of your agreement, without consulting you. And then he has the balls to tell you you have to buy something? I think that that is rediculess. You arent out to make friends, you are out to buy what you want with your hard earned dollars, and hopefully get the best deal while doing so. You should ask for your file suite with your credit card company(Its easy, just a form you need to have noterized) and take your business, entire business to someone who deserves it.

There are pleanty of jewelers out there that wont try to do something underhanded and will have no problem serviceing your needs as well as help you spend your money

Just my 2 cents..
 
Hi Dsong,

I have to agree with the others. Go to the top person at the store and inform them that you will make complaints with the BBB, Jewelers Vigilance Comittee, and you are going to dispute it with your credit card company if they do not refund ALL of your money.

If it is as you say, there is no way that they can just arbitrarily give you another diamond without your approval. In fact it is insulting that they would try, especially with a diamond that has a depth of 88%. (Are you sure about that depth??? It must be some dog!) I also agree that it was a package deal, so if the original diamond is not available, then the whole deal should be off.

Please let us know how this turns out, and if they do not settle this to your liking, I think alot of us would like to know who it is so we can avoid them!

Good luck!
2.gif
 
As others have said, you should get your money back. Here's something else to consider.




Emotions aside, I assume that you like the setting or else you wouldn't have ordered it. The vendor probably ordered the setting and can't return it and doesn't want it hanging around. If you feel like negotiating, you could offer him something slighly higher than cost on the setting to settle this. You get your setting at discount, he doesn't lose money and have a piece of inventory sitting around. Use the money you save to pay a good jeweler to set the diamond for you later. In fact, if you decide to buy a diamond on-line and have the diamond sent to one of the independent appraisers, chances are they can set it for you.




Of course, this all depends on how reasonable the guy is, so far he hasn't demonstarted much customer service skills.
 
It all depends on setting though. Like I was saying, designer settings (Tacori, Vatche, Verragio, etc) like to do all the work themselves. Their claim that the customer has to pay for the setting could be a ploy to make them throw up their hands and say, "what the heck."

If they take the setting, they may still wind up having to send it to the designer anyway.

The person should definitely call ahead and find out when the manager is there. Upon arriving, be courteous, but do not talk to the salesperson. Promptly request the mangager. Who said recommended this? Good suggestion! Take the moron out of the loop altogether, summarize for the manager, give them their options and let them decide.
 
Contact the corporate office for CB and tell them about your experience and dissatisfaction. Many times the story a customer hears is based upon the desire of a sales associate not to lose their commission and does not reflect the operating premise of the company itself.
 
I am almost certain that your credit card company will stand behind you. They're actually pretty good about things like that.

It was definately bait and switch. You ordered a set: stone and setting. They are trying to switch part of your set.
No can do!
 
Thanks so much for you support! You might be surprised but IT WAS the MANGAGER of the store, Christian Bernard. I live in Chicago and went to Woodfield Mall, just as an FYI. Anyway, I'm going in on Friday because he said he would show me some other diamonds. Buf if I dont like it, I'll try taking all your advice.

Or should I just go ahead and report it right now to the credit card? I really dont want to buy anything from him! How long does it take for the Credit card to refund my money?
 
I wouldn't even bother with cb anymore. You'll always have that "scammed" feeling in your mind. Besides, I am familiar with CB and personally you can do a heck of alot better!!
Good Luck- be strong.
 
If they give you any grief, just start screaming, "SERENITY NOW, SERENITY NOW!"

and then...

"HOOCHIE MAMA!"

1.gif
 
If I remember correctly, and sometimes I don't, most credit cards stipulate that a dispute must be filed within 60 days or something like that. Just don't let this salesperson or whoever it is string you along past your dispute deadline. I sort of agree with the others...if I had been baited and switched, I'd feel less than confident working with the jeweler no matter what.
 
do you guys think i should just make the dispute with my credit card company now and not even talk to the manager of christian bernard? I really dont even want to see him. I am supposed to go in friday after work and look at some other diamonds he's picked out for me but i'd rather not.
 
I would go in.

I would NOT look at any more diamonds.

I would voice my displeasure, concerns, expectations, and intentions.

And if they're not bending over backwards for you in about 10 minutes of arrival...

I would walk out the door.

Good luck!
 
I'll agree with VerticalHorizon on this one. I would go in and give the guy one last chance to voluntarily correct the situation. Be courteous, but firm in asking for a full and unconditional refund based on his prior representations of the product to you, and the fact that the agreed upon ring was not delivered (ring = stone + setting). If he persists in claiming that you owe him for the setting, I would courteously disagree and ask once more that he do the right thing. If denied again, I would simply inform him that you will immediately take the matter to your credit card company, say "Thank you", and head for the door. No big scene. No yelling and finger wagging. Be a professional customer in the face of an unprofessional vendor.

Also, keep detailed notes of everything that has transpired and what happens Friday as well. You'll want to include a detailed account of the situation in your formal, written dispute to the credit card company. As someone else said, I would probably copy the letter to the local Better Business Bureau and the department that handles consumer affairs in your state (Sec. of State, Sec. of Commerce, etc.)
 
As a vendor I can not even imagine what the guy was thinking or how he could say that it was just the same, which is the same as admitting that he is trying to sell you something different than what you ordered.

At this point you have not only your indignation on your side, but the law. I do not much care what the manager is trying to tell you, but he knows he is in the wrong and at this point you are in the driver's seat.

Before you go in, document every discussion that you have had to date and include any papers that you have. Make a folder and take it with you and take copious notes while you talk to the manager.

I am normally one to counsel talking with people and working things out, but he has lied to you and hoped you would not notice the bait and switch. With this kind of action I counsel taking your money and running.

Just my .02 coming at the end of a long and busy day and this kind of action makes me Cranky with a CAPITOL C since it makes all jewelers look bad by association.

Wink
 
Personally, I would wash my hands of this whole situation. It's a horrible ordeal for you to go through when trying to pick out the symbol of your love. Contact your CC company and see what they can do for you. If they, on some off chance, tell you to try and handle it yourself, go in on Friday. Otherwise be done with CB! You'll get a much better deal through a PS vendor and will have the peace of mind you need about the stone. I just think it would be horrible to do business with someone I don't trust. I personally would never feel good about my purchase whether or not it was made right in the end when it was not--from the sound of it--an honest mistake.

Let us know what you decide and good luck with everything!
 
88% depth??
6.gif
is that jeweler on crack or what????????

I agree--try to talk with the cc company and move on. The guy is a loser.
 
If you haven't already paid the credit card bill, they will usually not make you pay it while they are in the dispute process. I think I'd do both. Enter the dispute claim with the cc company and then go back in and meet with CB, covering yourself on all sides.

and VH....'HOOCHIE MAMA!'???
errrr.gif
 
Thanks everyone! It helps knowing that I am correct and I can go back to Christian Bernard today and go in with confidence! I have not been able to sleep this week just thinking about today and what I'll say!

WISH ME LUCK! And pray for me that everything will go smoothly. Cross my fingers the manager will not fight with me and give me a full refund! I'll be going in after work today!
 
LOP,

"Hoochie Mama," is what Frank Costanza says at the very end of the "Serenity Now" episode of Seinfeld, at the recommendation of Kramer. It's not a personal comment towards anyone!
1.gif


And 'serenity now... insanity later' is what sevens one uses as a sig. Ya?
 
Good luck, dsong! I'm sending positive diamond thoughts your way. It sucks that you have to deal with this, but stay strong and don't back down! He's the culprit, not you.
 
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On 5/21/2004 11:25:35 AM dsong1 wrote:

Thanks everyone! It helps knowing that I am correct and I can go back to Christian Bernard today and go in with confidence! I have not been able to sleep this week just thinking about today and what I'll say!

WISH ME LUCK! And pray for me that everything will go smoothly. Cross my fingers the manager will not fight with me and give me a full refund! I'll be going in after work today!----------------
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Prayers have been said! What happened Dsong???
 
What happened to Dsong's last post? PS had it as last post 7:30 ish.

I, too, am curious.
 
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