regretting Kay''s purchase.. please help!

[emilye900]

My fiance and I are a young couple who recently purchased a .63ct Leo diamond from an aquaintance who desperately needed cash. However, the ring was set in a basic solitare setting and I knew I wanted something completely different, so we decided to go to our local Kay''s (where the previous owner had bought the ring) to find out about our options in resetting the stone, etc. Although we had planned to go there strictly to educate ourselves about our options, being naive and anxious to get the ring on my finger we ended up purchasing a semi-mount and having the Leo diamond sent out to be reset in the new setting. Later that evening, I was browsing the internet and came across this site, as well as many others, telling of horrible scams and bad jewelry quality at Kays. I have read so many horror stories and do not want to have to write my own one day. I am thinking that the wisest thing for my fiance and I to do is to return the new setting as soon as it comes in (hopefully) in 7 days, have the ring reset back into the solitare setting, and be done with Kays completely. After educating myself about the risks of dealing with such a large company who requires me to send my ring far away everytime it needs a repair, I think my fiance and I would be much better off going to a small, local jeweler and picking a setting out there. But I am so new to all this, I really am desperate for a second opinion. I am also struggling with being a softy and feeling guilty for returning the new setting the moment it arrives. I know I need to suck it up and take my fiance and I out of this potentially bad situation by returning the ring while it is still eligible for return... I suppose I just want to be reassured that returning the setting and going elsewhere to reset my ring is the wisest thing for us to do.

I really appreciate any responses and opinions I receive. Again, I''m obviously just really new to this and would love some help from someone who is more experienced in the diamond world.

 

[swingirl]

Can''t help you with your decision but one thing you don''t want is to have negative thoughts about your ering. You haven''t mentioned your budget, or what you would have bought had you not helped your friend out with the original purchase.

You shouldn''t feel badly about returning something and changing your mind. An ering is a very important purchase and there should be no regrets.

 

[emilye900]

You''re right on the money with the negative thoughts. That''s all I''ve had since I came across so many bad reviews about Kay''s, and it feels awful!

I am pleased with the diamond we bought from our friend, but I just think it would be wise to return the setting. I just don''t think I want to be stuck with worrying about all the bad things that have happened to other people that could happen to me at Kay''s.

Thanks for letting me think out loud and kinda reassure myself that I''m doing the right thing.

 

[dbsdiamonds]

I would say not every ring at Kay''s is bad quality. Yes, you probably would have saved by going with a fabulous internet company but bottom line is being happy with your purchase.

Everyone has (or should have) a refund policy and that policy is YOUR right, not a company right, in making sure you and her are thoroughly happy.

Regroup, research and restart if you have to. Readdress? Rearm? Let''s keep the "re" theme going out here for you!

Marty
CEO/Pres
DBS Diamonds
www.diamondsatcost.com

 

[emilye900]

Thanks for the reply! I''m actually the "her" in this equation, and also the sensitive worrywart who''s letting the rude manager in Kay''s intimidate me Silly me.

You really helped me look at it in a better way. We really don''t owe them a long explanation of why we''re returning it. That is our right and I shouldn''t let my timid personality get me stuck in something that I know I need to get out of.

 

[Circe]

Okay, I''m going to come off as ... uncaring ... here, but: it is a store. You do not owe it, well, anything. Not loyalty, not allegiance, not ... anything. You came across additional information that put you off of it, and that is that. The fault is on them for building a faulty reputation, not on you for reacting to that faulty information.

Call them and tell them to stop the order on the setting, and pursue options that will make you feel more comfortable, full stop. If anyone who has had a good experience with Kay''s comes onto the thread to reassure you, that will be excellent, but, on the basis of what you''ve already seen, you''re uncomfortable, so ... why make yourself uncomfortable? Welcome to Pricescope, and good luck!

 

[Steel]

Welcome to PS.

1. If you like the setting from Kay''s - wait until it is made and then judge it for yourself.

2. If you no longer like it or feel you can do better or are concerned that you will have ''issues'' with the setting (quality-durability-customer service-whatever) then I give a big old ditto to Circe''s suggestion to cancel the order asap. Take a hit on any cancellation fees and start looking at come settings from PS vendors. Don''t forget to get your stone re-appraised after Kay''s return it, just to be sure it comes back the same way it went in.

 

[honey22]

I think the general problem lies in the quality of the stones they sell, not necessarily in the settings?

 

[Herfnerd]

I agree with Steel - if the work has already been farmed out, then wait until it comes back in and judge the quality. The work already has been done.

If you like it, keep it and just go to a local jeweler for any work/inspection that needs to be done.

Chances are that Kay''s will ship it back out if you don''t like it.......

 

[MMT]

Hi I don''t know anything about Kays but I agree you ought to look and the ring and then make your decision. Think about it carefully and if your not 100% in love than return it. Don''t wait until its too late. If you don''t love it now you probably never will. Good luck!!

 

[MissGotRocks]

Date: 8/10/2008 7:55:10 AM
Author: honey22
I think the general problem lies in the quality of the stones they sell, not necessarily in the settings?

I agree. I don''t think you should be ''afraid'' of the setting just because it was purchased at Kay''s. If you love the setting, that''s all that matters. Our local Kay''s now has a repair shop on the premises. Other jewelers could also do repair work on it if needed. I wouldn''t go in to buy a diamond from them that wasn''t certified but the Leo stones are pretty stones. They are another branded stone cut to their specifications - more facets - but they do appeal to many. I have a friend that is about to buy one and although she knows about other diamonds and their cuts, she prefers the look of the Leo. I have found that in looking at them with her, most all of them are cut deeper than an ideal stone which means that their diameter is smaller. She is just loving their look though - and the key is to find what you really like!

My advice would be to wait until the mounting comes in. If you love it, fine. If not, return it and start again. Don''t make your decision solely on what you are reading here - particularly because it''s the mounting and not the stone that''s causing you angst.

Good luck - and do let us know what you decide!

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Add me to the list of those who think you should wait until the ring comes back before you make any decisions.

Don''t let other people''s reviews affect how you feel about your own diamond/ring. As another poster mentioned, Kay''s reputation comes from the cut quality of their diamonds, though I do know that the Leo is their top line, so it could very well be a great stone. If you love it, that''s what matters. And if it comes back and the setting looks great, then that''s fantastic. If it comes back and you''re stilll not happy with it, then you can move forward with your plan to sell it and start over.

 

[denverappraiser]

So far Kay''s has done nothing wrong. When you get the ring, have it immediately inspected by a pro. As you know, Kays is part of a large company that has lots of different craftsmen working and the results can vary quite a bit. The bright side of this is that they DO have some highly skilled workers and if there is a problem they WILL honor both their return policy and their warranty. If it’s the ring of your dreams, don’t assume that they will do it poorly just because they’re corporate. They have tons of happy customers and it''s the nature of these forums that only unhappy ones tend to post their stories. If the independent appraisal reveals a problem, take it back and make them fix or replace it, if it doesn’t then you can then be confident and can stop worrying. Either way you win.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[diamondSW]

You will have nothing to worry about with your purchase from Kay Jeweler''s. Granted, I am a Kay employee so I will defend my company. But I was a long time customer of Kay''s before I started working there, which is one of the reasons I began working there, I truely believe & live by their warranties & merchandise. I will admit that some of the merchandise is not of the highest quality, but those pieces are the more ''affordable'' pieces of jewelry that run for a couple hundred dollars and under. But I mean when you purchase a $100 ring what type of quality do you really expect to get? With the price of gold & gemstones rising along with everything else it''s amazing that some pieces are even kept under that range. Bridal merchandise is one area you shouldn''t have to worry about quality. If you have any questions the just ask! Most employees (yes, there are some rotten eggs but that''s anywhere) will be glad to sit down with you and discuss the quality of each piece with you as well as the repair shop process. Every Kay is VERY selective about the jeweler/repair shop that they choose & they won''t let just anyone work on their jewelry. Sometimes the repair shop is right across the street, sometimes it is two states away but at least you can be sure they will take their time and they know what they are doing. Also your Leo diamond will be laser inscribed with a number that you can take a look at under the microscope when your ring comes back from the repair shop to verify it''s authenticity.
Kay offers some of the BEST warranties in the business. You can purchase a LIFETIME (lifetime of the jewelry!) extended service plan which covers anything you could possibly ever do to the wrong, of course it does not cover loss. You are given a lifetime diamond guarantee, have your rings inspected once every six months and if any stone was to ever go missing it would be replaced free of charge, no questions asked.
Kay also has more Certified Diamontologists than anyone in the industry.
By going to a small, local jeweler you take the risk of the company/store closing, having to pay for every repair, no warranties and a jeweler who pretends to know what they are talking about. Not all local jewelry stores are bad, but to be honest, I''ve never talked to someone who was truely satisfied from a small, local jewelry store. It won''t hurt to go to many jewelry stores and ask questions about quality, warranties, potential repairs, certifications, etc. Do your research and feel confident in your purchase. Just remember, every peice of jewelry will need maintenance, especially bridal rings you want to be sure that they always look brand new & have that fire.
You will be able to return your mounting that you purchased if for any reason you are not satisfied, and you have 90 days to do it! You can even wear it for the 3 months before you return it and still no questions asked, that''s one of the best return policies for jewelry that I''ve ever heard of.

I would love to answer any questions that I can for you, and hopefully I can assure you to have confidence in your purchase... & congrats at get a Leo at what I''m sure was an awesome price!

 

[neatfreak]

DiamondSW: If you plan on posting here you need to disclose in your signature I believe that you work for a jeweler...I would ask the mods for more details. I would also suggest doing some searches on your company here...unfortunately many people have NOT had the happy experience you describe there.

Emily: Kay's, like any other large retailer, has some major issues, including trying to sell frozen spit diamonds as the best ones on the planet to unknowing consumers. Buying secondhand, you at least likely didn't get ripped off on the stone, so you've sidestepped potential problem #1. I AM going to disagree about the setting quality IF the setting has diamonds in it. Simply because those diamonds are likely to be frozen spit stones with a poor cut. So ASK TO USE A LOUPE to examine the stones before you take home the setting. And do it out of the store if you can because those store lights make anything look good. The stones shouldn't look cloudy or have black spots.

I agree with the others and wait until it comes back to make a decision, assuming two things:

1. You feel that you DID get a fair price on the setting.
2. You absolutely LOVE the setting.

If you felt pressured at all and you can't agree with both those statements, I would cancel the order now and start looking elsewhere. Best of luck!

 

[JSM]

My engagement diamond is from Kay''s. My fiance bought it without input from me, and honestly, at first, I was disappointed. But I learned how much effort my guy put into the purchase.

Honestly, the setting is well made and secure. The diamond itself is one of their "ideal" diamonds. After learning what I did researching on pricescope, I doubted that claim. But I recently bought a whiteflash ACA - and I examined both diamonds with the Whiteflash viewer. Guess what? The arrows in my Kay diamond look pretty darn similar to the ones from the WF diamond. It is also graded fairly accurately - I can find inclusions in the viewer on my WF SI1, but I can''t in my IGI Kay VS2. I think I must be one of the few who wasn''t blown away by the ACA diamond from Whiteflash - because my current diamond looks just like one!

I have seen the junk diamonds Kay''s can sell, and honestly I have had problems with Kay''s customer service, and I don''t plan to buy from them again. However, I can say that you CAN find amazing diamonds there if you look hard enough and know what you are looking for.

See the setting, and if you love it, it doesn''t matter where it comes from. If you''re not 100% happy, return it with no guilt, and ask the lovely knowledgeable ladies here to find you an AMAZING setting. Best of luck!

 

[emilye900]

I wanted to greatly thank each & every person who replied to my post! You all provided really good insight and really helped me make my final decision and I couldn't be more appreciative...

Here's what ended up happening:

The new setting with my Leo diamond arrived 3 days late, which at first had me telling myself "See?! Kay's really IS unreliable!" but I soon realized that 10 days to unmount the diamond from the old setting and remount it into a new one, plus all the shipping time, isn't really too bad. Plus, we indeed received the original mounting back, which I had read some horror stories about Kay's not returning old mountings after resetting your diamonds. As soon as we walked into the store, the manager had our new ring and the old setting waiting for us. I had originally planned on returning the ring the second it came in, but I took one look at it, and then another.. and I just knew that I absolutely loved the ring. Yes, I'm still a bit nervous about the quality of the mounting.. but we have purchased the extended service plan and are going to go to every 6-month checkup appointment. I'm just so glad that everything went so smoothly thus far!

In the future, I do not think we will be buying from Kay's again, just because I'm so paranoid. I would feel much more comfortable going with WF. But for now, for my first ring, I honestly couldn't be more pleased and pleasantly surprised. We paid $800 for the .63ct Leo diamond from a friend, and $1300 for the setting, so all in all I think we made out very well for my very first ring. We are both very young and I can't wait to see how we'll out-do ourselves in 10 years! Haha

Here are some pics of the ring, incase anyone was interested.

 

[emilye900]

BEFORE:

 

[emilye900]

& AFTER:

 

[emilye900]

my favorite:

 

[emilye900]

 

[emilye900]

side:

 

[emilye900]

back:

 

[emilye900]

 

[emilye900]

THE END!

 

[glitterata]

Congratulations, Emily. Wear it in health and happiness. I especially like that underside--nice detailing.

 

[jcarlylew]

YOUR RING IS BEAUTIFUL!!!! i know the horror stories of maul (

) stores can be intemidating and make you thing your ring is not as "good" as others (SO and i are in a similar position regarding finances and wary of buying online), but again this is YOUR ring, not others. I absolutly LOVE your setting!! As long as you do take care of your ring, i have a strong feeling it will take care of you too

too beautiful for words!

 

[emilye900]

Thanks so much!

 

[Abril]

Wow! Kay''s did an awesome job. I''m going to keep an open mind about them.

 

[AprilBaby]

I have to disagree with the Kay employee who talked about their great warranty and lifetime guarantee. Kay is part of Sterling Corporation. If you read my previous posts you will see that if you try to follow up after any problems NO ONE will answer your letters, phone calls, or talk to you in the stores. Good luck and I hope you never have a problem.