James Allen is really bad with planning.

[jjmaddison]

Hi,

Going to say few words about James Allen, the company recommended by some of forum folks here.

I tried to purchase the ring 2 times.

First time I asked the consultant about the delivery date. Added few days to it and fixed my departure plans (I travel a lot).
It took them about a WEEK. to verify my credit card & id. The consultant said that the email would work. It didn't. FAIL.

The manager called me and told that the ring was put into production, but later it was revealed that he lied. Something went wrong in their machinery and dates shifted. FAIL.

Ok, I decided to give them one more chance and tried to purchase a week ago. You know, I selected 3 diamonds and asked them to see which one is best. "Good service" - I thought.
The consultant said, it's going to take up to 3 days. A WEEK has passed. No result except the messages "Oh not yet, I'll write you later". Ok, why shifting dates again and again? FAIL.

Right now I'm considering another place to by the ring.

That's it. I hope that'll help someone not to make plans with James Allen.
Or am I the only one so unlucky?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

We hear problems periodically, but it is unusual for things to go this wrong multiple times with one customer. Someone always lets Jim Allen know when posts like this are on here, and he usually resolves the issues. They clearly do need to fix something in their process. But I can understand if you want to try another vendor.

 

[Smith1942]

If you do a search, you'll find that very occasionally with JA, people have had a similar problem - that is, encountered problems with the act of actually trying to buy the diamond. Also, when I asked them to set my diamond in a pendant, the chain length, colour and setting were all different from what I'd asked for, and also there was a girl at work who needed to send her JA ring back for some work on the setting head. Recently, someone wrote on PS that they didn't think the JA settings were quite as nice as the online images.

However, they do have lovely things and their online diamond images/videos are amazing. I also got an absolute stunner of a diamond from JA for a price which was totally unbeatable.

So basically I'm just saying that they're not always the smoothest shop in town, but don't write them off completely because you can do very well with them! And although they seem to make more customer service mistakes than others, they are very willing to work with you to fix things.

Maybe they just need more staff on the operational side.

 

[Smith1942]

If you do a search, you'll find that very occasionally with JA, people have had a similar problem - that is, encountered problems with the act of actually trying to buy the diamond. Also, when I asked them to set my diamond in a pendant, the chain length, colour and setting were all different from what I'd asked for, and also there was a girl at work who needed to send her JA ring back for some work on the setting head. Recently, someone wrote on PS that they didn't think the JA settings were quite as nice as the online images.

However, they do have lovely things and their online diamond images/videos are amazing. I also got an absolute stunner of a diamond from JA for a price which was totally unbeatable.

So basically I'm just saying that they're not always the smoothest shop in town, but don't write them off completely because you can do very well with them! And although they seem to make more customer service mistakes than others, they are very willing to work with you to fix things.

Maybe they just need more staff on the operational side.

Just posted at the same time as DS.

DS Have you seen my stud upgrade in SMTB? (Sorry for the threadjack, madison.)

 

[JulieN]

The most important thing when ring shopping is to give yourself enough time. Finding the right diamond, Ideal Scope requests, that can take a week, but give it two to be on the safe side. Custom made rings can take six weeks. In the case of returns, you have shipping, wire transfer refunds, and then having to start all over again. I suggest most buyers give themselves two months.

 

[Dreamer_D]

You may be happier buying from a full service retailer with their diamond in house. Things move faster (generally) in that case. But you will pay for that service.

 

[Smith1942]

JulieN - since there is no personal message facility on PS, I just wanted to say that those stud diamonds I was agonising about and which you and DS gave me so much help with have turned out to be completely amazing, and thanks so much to both of you! They're in SMTB.

Back to Madison - while I still believe JA is good, in spite of the cock-ups, there are of course lots of other vendors to buy from. The fact that their path is not always entirely smooth is, of course, worse if you travel a lot. You don't say how much time you have to get the ring, or if you need it for a particular date. (You do hear the odd horror story about a carefully-planned proposal going awry because the ring wasn't ready. Not related to JA, I might add.)

It would be a pity to dump a good vendor, but then, perhaps they ought to get their systems sorted out because it does happen with them occasionally, and who knows how many lurkers have the read the postings about it here and silently decided to go elsewhere.

 

[ladidalola]

My fiance just bought my engagement ring from JA and there was only one hitch in the entire process. They couldn't make the setting he originally wanted in my ring size (3.25). They made him pick another one (which was pricier) and created that setting at NO extra cost. The ring is gorgeous and I'm very happy with it! We will definitely buy from James Allen again

 

[ame]

I don't get the feeling that you're going to be comfortable if you keep waiting on them and may wish to find a vendor with the stones already in house. Yes it will probably cost a little more, but it will likely be substantially faster.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

If you do a search, you'll find that very occasionally with JA, people have had a similar problem - that is, encountered problems with the act of actually trying to buy the diamond. Also, when I asked them to set my diamond in a pendant, the chain length, colour and setting were all different from what I'd asked for, and also there was a girl at work who needed to send her JA ring back for some work on the setting head. Recently, someone wrote on PS that they didn't think the JA settings were quite as nice as the online images.

However, they do have lovely things and their online diamond images/videos are amazing. I also got an absolute stunner of a diamond from JA for a price which was totally unbeatable.

So basically I'm just saying that they're not always the smoothest shop in town, but don't write them off completely because you can do very well with them! And although they seem to make more customer service mistakes than others, they are very willing to work with you to fix things.

Maybe they just need more staff on the operational side.

Just posted at the same time as DS.

DS Have you seen my stud upgrade in SMTB? (Sorry for the threadjack, madison.)

No!!! But I will go there right now! I was out most of the day and haven't looked in SMTB yet!

 

[heididdl]

smith1942 don't see your studs on SMTB under studs actually mine are the last listed there.

 

[VRBeauty]

Or am I the only one so unlucky?

I don't blame you for considering other options for your ring. JA generally has a great reputation here, but there seems to have been an uptick in complaints lately. Often JA steps up and makes sure the problem is fixed - that's a little harder to do when the problem is missed deadlines. Recently, JA significantly increased the number of lines they carry, and I've noticed what seems to be a big increase in on-line advertising. Hopefully what you experienced is the result of growing pains. Whatever it is, I hope they find and fix it soon!

 

[MissStepcut]

JA's strengths are price point and pictures. Weaknesses? Yup, customer service.

 

[havegomac]

I just went with a ring and diamond from JA (not insignificant size). So far so good with the customer service, can't fault it, extremely helpful and do not oversell you at all. Approval process took about 1hr max after going ahead with purchase. I have a specific date that i need it by (overseas trip) and they said it will be done by then so will keep you updated!

 

[SMC]

I think JA has the same percentage of screw-ups as other vendors, they just have a higher volume of business so bad experiences end up on PS more regularly. I agree buying in-house is a good idea if you have immutable timelines.

I've purchased and returned from JA and they've never been anything but pleasant. They've always followed up on my questions and my deliveries were prompt. I've had conversations with other PS vendors where I have to keep reminding them to respond to my emails.

Anyway, I hope that you find the stone that you're looking for! Good luck with your engagement!

 

[Todd Gray]

I can appreciate the level of frustration which you are experiencing at the moment JJ, as a former vendor I'd like to say that verifying credit cards can sometimes present challenges beyond what seems reasonable to the public. In addition, it seems like the duration of your project was in the midst of the Passover holiday, this can make it quite difficult to source diamonds and get things done, it's part of the industry that we all have to work around.

 

[havegomac]

As promised I wanted to give a quick update and share my experience. James Allen ended up shipping mine a day early and I had zero issues with the approval process, confirmation, quality control, shipping and the end product looks awesome!