Need advice from jewelers (ethics issue maybe)

[bluedawg]

I hope it''s okay to post in this forum; I didn''t see a spot where it would fit in.

I picked up my new (10th anniv upgrade) setting today from the jeweler we have used for 11+ years. I posted a few weeks ago that I had found out after they sold the set, that it was really over-priced despite them assuring us that it was a great deal (basically we paid retail markup prices-- twice what I found online.

Our bad for not checking other places but we trusted them). DH and I were also upset when we looked at diamonds (before we paid for the new setting) because they would not bring us what we asked for, kept trying to sell us on uncerted stones as "ideal" etc. We had a very negative vibe when we left. Much worse when I realized how many thousands we overpaid...

After I did a search here for our jeweler, I found out that they have a bad rep. for the hard sell, the used car salesman type, etc. and DH and I agreed it was our last transaction.

So my order was finally here... I left my old Tiffany style, platinum 6-prong setting today for them to remove the diamond and place it in the new setting. No problem, took 45 minutes then another 15 to type the new appraisals. New set is awesome, love it. I realized as I got to my car that I had left the original setting. Went inside to get it-- they went to the back and brought back a baggie containing the old ring. The baggie was marked "4.13, $125-, 11x90".

Were they planning to resell my setting if I forgot to ask for it? We paid about $250 for that eleven years ago... and it is my property, right?
My ring was a size 3.75 that had recently been "stretched" to a 4+ size. Could those markings be about something totally different or are my suspicions accurate? If they had planned to sell my setting, is this in any way accepted as standard practice?

I''m not looking to write the BBB or anything... but very curious to know your thoughts. Is this a sleazy establishment (my gut tells me that it is!

)

Thanks.

 

[ame]

Id go bbb no matter. They jacked you and were going to do it again if you didn''t go back in. And if they aren''t publicly called on it they''ll keep doing it.

 

[oldminer]

The numbers on the palstic bag don''t really sound like they refer to your old ring. That old ring certainly is your property unless it was being traded in against the cost of the new mountings. If it was worn out, they likely would have scrapped it, not re-used it although I suppose they could use it as a display estate piece and sell a new mounting with a stone they had put into it. In the ned, it is all a large game and consumers are the pawns. Those who run small businesses are the mid level players and the kings and queens of the business are the huge suppliers and firms like DeBeers.

Once you know a place is not a good place, just don''t go back. THere has to be a better choice for you. No point in being annoyed about it. Learning anything takes time, money and pain. Making the same mistake twice just means you did not learn enough the first time. No third time, please.

 

[bluedawg]

LOL, point taken, Dave. I really appreciate it.

There wouldn''t have been a second time if I hadn''t already special ordered my upgrade set from them! I had to go in and pick it up.

But we will not be giving them any more money, even though my "lifetime upgrade" policy on my current diamond applies to them. We will be doing the future diamond upgrade with an online vendor, even though it might be a hassle to 1-sell the old diamond and 2-have a new diamond set with a new head, etc.

I am glad it doesn''t look like they were going to sell my old setting!

 

[mrssalvo]

ok, now where are those pics of your new set?????

 

[fire&ice]

Or - it could be an estimation of value & description while in their care. When I''ve taken in things for some minor work, the jeweler marks an envelope w/ a brief description and estimation of vlaue. It''s the first thing he does - though he does this in front of me.