Lost faith in my jeweler... Are my expectations appropriate?

[manderz]

I recently took two items to my jeweler. One was a ring that needed some stone tightened, the other was a loose diamond to have set in a bezel. They told me 7-10 days, and I finally picked them up today, which was more like 3 weeks. Annoyed because of that, but, c'est la vie. I checked out the ring, and there are blatant gouges where they used pliers to tighten the channel set stone that was loose. Everything else about it was perfect. The bezel, on the other hand, was in white gold, when I'd asked for yellow, and was loose in the setting. I'm kind of fed up, as this is the second time in a row that I've been disappointed with the results from their bench. I took both pieces to get a better look at, when I wasn't in a rush on my way back to work after lunch, and said I'd stop by tomorrow.

Would it be unreasonable to ask for a refund for the bezel setting, and just get my diamond back? They offered to remake it in yellow for me, but after waiting nearly 3 times longer than they told me to get two less than ideal products, I'm not feeling very inclined to give them any more business.I'm fine with them polishing the ring, and getting rid of the gouges, but I'm going to be in the market for a new jeweler after this.

 

[distracts]

Re: Lost faith in my jeweler... Are my expectations appropri

I don't think it's unreasonable to get your money back. That's TWO items that both are not done right. I would not be pleased. Did you say this was the second time this sort of thing happened?

 

[manderz]

Re: Lost faith in my jeweler... Are my expectations appropri

Yes, this is the second time that things have a) taken much longer than estimated and b) not turned out as expected. Other times it was blemishes rather than completely wrong (really though, who presents a new piece to a customer with a big old scratch??).

I think I'm as much disappointed that I have to find a new jeweler as I am upset about the piece. I live in a small town, and the only other jeweler is WAY too expensive for me.

 

[peasypeas]

Re: Lost faith in my jeweler... Are my expectations appropri

I expect ppl to do the job they say they will, and do it well if I'm paying them
that's absurd IMO.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Lost faith in my jeweler... Are my expectations appropri

I'd expect my money back.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Lost faith in my jeweler... Are my expectations appropri

Yes, a refund is in order since the setting is in the wrong metal. Many of us have difficulty finding a competent local bench. There is no possibility I would have anyone local make a setting for me. Sizing a plain shank ring is about the most I can have done locally. Good luck on finding a better bench!

 

[manderz]

Re: Lost faith in my jeweler... Are my expectations appropri

Thanks, everyone. I went in today, and let them know how I felt with the work, and was given a refund. I was unsure how to handle the situation, as I have never had to deal with less than satisfactory items that I'd had custom made like that. I felt badly for the lost work hurs related to this project, but it simple wasn't what I had asked for.

 

[sonnyjane]

Re: Lost faith in my jeweler... Are my expectations appropri

Thanks, everyone. I went in today, and let them know how I felt with the work, and was given a refund. I was unsure how to handle the situation, as I have never had to deal with less than satisfactory items that I'd had custom made like that. I felt badly for the lost work hurs related to this project, but it simple wasn't what I had asked for.

Glad you got a refund!

One of the most freeing things I've learned in recent years is to not feel bad about mentioning other people's mistakes. For example, I used to get embarrassed when people sent back food when their order was wrong, or I wouldn't stick up for myself if a doctor lost my records, etc. etc. I used to feel bad about speaking up, but now that I understand that I deserve to get the service or product that I indeed have paid for, it's really benefited me. True, they wasted a few hours making you a setting in the wrong metal, but if they would have just taken two minutes to carefully review your order and get it in the RIGHT metal, they wouldn't be in that position! It was not your fault at all.