Jewelry question--am I overreacting?

[kathleenmv]

I would love a little feedback from the PS community to help me gauge
whether or not I’m overreacting.

To make a long story short, a respected PS vendor (with whom I''ve had
a nice working relationship) has a ring mounting of mine and was going
to set an inexpensive stone in it. I inquired about whether the ring
was ready a few weeks after it had been in his possession, mostly
because my husband and I had a package stolen from our front step and
I started getting worried that perhaps the ring had shipped and had
succumbed to a similar fate.

I have emailed and left a voice mail with this vendor to learn what
the status is. I explained that there’s really no hurry for the ring;
I just want to make sure that all was well in light of our recent
package theft.

I’ve heard nothing from the vendor. I did receive a response from the
vendor’s assistant, saying that she''d look into the status, but I heard nothing back
from her, either. I’ve received no response to my emails or voicemail
from the vendor himself--and yet I see him posting on Pricescope
fairly often.

I guess I don’t understand why I’m not getting an answer to a
straightforward question. The setting is not extremely expensive, but
costly enough that I want to make sure that it’s okey-dokey. Besides,
I really like it! I feel a little annoyed--and sort of anxious that
maybe something happened to the setting. Am I overreacting?

I value members’ insight and opinions and would love to know what you
think.

Many thanks!

 

[kathleenmv]

PS Sorry about the quadruple-spacing! Not sure how I managed to do that.

 

[Liane]

How long has it been since you asked? I''d give it at least 2-3 business days before I started getting worried. It could be that the vendor hasn''t set the stone yet and doesn''t want to say anything until he can report that the job''s done and the ring''s on its way. Or it could be something totally different; there''s no way to know.

If, after 2-3 business days, you''ve still had no response, I''d ask again and then get concerned. This is the last workweek for a lot of people before Christmas, though, and I''m inclined to cut more slack due to the craziness of last-second deadlines as jewelers rush to get things done for gifts.

I understand you want to know when to expect the package, and under the circumstances that''s totally reasonable, but most PS vendors send out tracking information when something''s en route (and if you''ve worked with this vendor before, you presumably know whether it''s his practice to do this), so if you haven''t gotten word that it''s been shipped, it''s probably still safely in his hands.

 

[kathleenmv]

Thanks for the reply, Liane! I really appreciate it.

I first emailed last Thursday. I didn''t hear anything, so sent another email on Saturday. I received a reply from the assistant that she''d look into it, but didn''t hear back. So I called yesterday to check in. I left a voice mail.

I feel like I''m being a pest--and I''m really not trying to be. I just want to make sure all is well. I''m 100% okay if they''re not done--or even if they haven''t started! My concern is that it shipped without my knowledge and was stolen. (This vendor has shipped to me before without notification/tracking.)

I know everyone is uber-busy right now, and I definitely want to be respectful of his time. But when I see him posting on Pricescope, I''m puzzled why he can''t get back to me with a simple reply.

Thanks again for your insight! You''re probably right that it''s safely in his hands.

 

[radiantquest]

If it were me I would be a little concerned too. And I too have the same feeling about wanting information, but not wanting to make a pest of myself. Really though you have every right to inquire as much as you want. They have your stuff. It would be different if you were complaining about how long it was taking and you were hounding them for a finish date, but that is not the case. All you want to know is if it shipped and the package was missed. If it were me I would call and not leave any VMs. I would insist that I speak with someone and then not end the call until I had an answer. You can be stern and get the infromation that you need without being rude or nasty. If I were a vendor I wouldn''t get upset with you for insisting on that information especially considering that you lost a previous package recently.

 

[kathleenmv]

Thanks, radiantquest! You summed up my feelings exactly.

I just tried to call the vendor again, and it just goes straight to voice mail. So...no chance to talk with someone immediately. I might send another email to see if I can find out the scoop.

Cross your fingers for me!

 

[radiantquest]

What time is it where you are and the vendor? Perhaps the office is out to lunch? I can''t believe that a well respected vendor wouldn''t have a customer service number. Surely they would have a receptionist. Keep trying. That''s all you can do.

 

[Liane]

Oh, if that''s the timeline then I''d be concerned too. I don''t think you''re being the least bit unreasonable.

I guess keep trying, and if it gets to the point where you''re really worried or aggravated, at least you can threadjack and ask for a response publicly.

 

[somethingshiny]

I understand completely. But, I do want to add: If you were not a member of PS, you would have no idea what the person is doing with his downtime. You would still be concerned but maybe not feel so insulted. We have a lot of space for stepping on toes in here and I think we all need to take that to heart. You knowing his personal details should be a non-issue.

In general, I think you''ve given enough time for a response and I would be irritated too. I would obviously try getting a hold of him again before a possible extended Holiday.

 

[kathleenmv]

Thanks so much for the insight, advice and support!

I sent another email and received a response that the ring will ship out tomorrow! I''m relieved that all is well.

Thanks again for the wise words. It is much appreciated!

 

[yssie]

Hope everything is going well with your project