robbins brothers returns?

[armon]

wish i found this website earlier.

basically i went there to just look with the SO and she fell in love with a setting which after awhile i ended up buying as well as a diamond.

but now i think i would like to return the diamond because i can find one better online for cheaper.

has anyone ever returned anything to robbins brothers? i know i have 30 days and im hoping it will go easy and they wont give me a hard time for it. but i only want to return the diamond and keep the setting. id then like to buy a new diamond online (wheres the best place) and have it placed in the setting.

any recommendations for this? should i be ready for a fight?

thanks for any help.

 

[Skippy123]

I don''t have any recommendations about it but, good luck!

 

[TravelingGal]

My advice would be to hightail it over there and return asap. If you''re 31 days over, I doubt they will take it back. And from the stories I have heard, they''re going to fight you on it anyway.

You may be pleasantly surprised. My experience (limited) with them has stunk.

Out of curiosity, what setting did you buy from them? Because if it is a designer (and not one of their own), I bet you can get it cheaper elsewhere (I know I did.)

 

[armon]

"My advice would be to hightail it over there and return asap. If you''re 31 days over, I doubt they will take it back. And from the stories I have heard, they''re going to fight you on it anyway."

the 31 days are not over but soon...i will head over in the next few days still within the time period. if it was past i wouldnt even bother asking because i know i would have no chance.

my main concern is they will find a loophole to deny the return. something crazy they make up like once the diamond is set the return period is voided.

I hope they dont fight it but they may. to be honest i had a nice experience - not many complaints but they are more expensive.

"Out of curiosity, what setting did you buy from them? Because if it is a designer (and not one of their own), I bet you can get it cheaper elsewhere (I know I did.)"

i think it was a designer. i have no problem with the setting, just the diamond.

whats the best site to get an estimate to how much a diamond should cost (if i enter in carats, clarity, color, etc)? or is it impossible to appraise a diamond without someone actually looking at it?

 

[jstarfireb]

Return that puppy tomorrow, setting and all. Then ask an online vendor if they can replicate the setting.

But first, take very detailed pictures of the setting from all angles. Count the diamonds if there are any in the setting. Copy the cert/appraisal if you have one. Measure all dimensions of the ring.

I did all of this and then took my specs to Whiteflash, and I'm very happy with the results. These threads may help:
The ring I loved at Costco
The final result from WF

I HIGHLY recommend WF for custom work like this!

 

[TravelingGal]

If you love the setting, don''t try to have it replicated. A couple of years ago, WF said they could make a setting that I liked. I inquired further and they backtracked just a bit and said it would be exactly the same (obviously) for copyright issues. Therefore if you like everything about the setting you have, then go with it. Oh, btw, I did buy the stone from WF and enjoyed working with them.

Do a search for Robbins Bros on here...there are quite a few stories. Most had a nice experience, then found out they overpaid, then had a not so great experience.

 

[armon]

"If you love the setting, don''t try to have it replicated. A couple of years ago, WF said they could make a setting that I liked. I inquired further and they backtracked just a bit and said it would be exactly the same (obviously) for copyright issues. Therefore if you like everything about the setting you have, then go with it. Oh, btw, I did buy the stone from WF and enjoyed working with them."

thats what i was thinking too - she loves the setting and i dont want to take chances.

"Do a search for Robbins Bros on here...there are quite a few stories. Most had a nice experience, then found out they overpaid, then had a not so great experience."

yeah i did a search - mostly negative. i hope when i try to return it goes somewhat smootly. i dont want to have to go to war with these guys.

has anyone tried to return a ring to RB before?

and id still like to get an idea of how much the diamond i bought should have costed (based on its color, clarity, size, etc)...whats the best website to use to check out the approximate value?

 

[TravelingGal]

You''d have to consider cut quality as well. Have you checked out the prices section of pricescope?

https://www.pricescope.com/diamond-prices.aspx

Did you post the stats of your diamond yet? Folks here are great about helping on this kind of stuff....also, what''s the cert? GIA? EGL? etc etc.

 

[surfgirl]

It''s time to sack up and put on the big boy pants! Dont wait until a few days are left until your return period is up. If you want to return the stone, do it TOMORROW! Walk in, be confident, ask to speak to the manager, and tell them you''re not happy with the stone, but you want to keep the setting so you''d like them to remove the stone and give you a refund on the stone only. Done. Dont be wishy washy. Dont give them more info than they need. Just tell them you dont want it. If they try to find out why or talk you into something else, just keep repeating, "I dont want this stone. I want a refund now, please." Be polite but FIRM.

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 7/19/2008 1:12:29 AM
Author: surfgirl
It''s time to sack up and put on the big boy pants! Dont wait until a few days are left until your return period is up. If you want to return the stone, do it TOMORROW! Walk in, be confident, ask to speak to the manager, and tell them you''re not happy with the stone, but you want to keep the setting so you''d like them to remove the stone and give you a refund on the stone only. Done. Dont be wishy washy. Dont give them more info than they need. Just tell them you dont want it. If they try to find out why or talk you into something else, just keep repeating, ''I dont want this stone. I want a refund now, please.'' Be polite but FIRM.

Agreed, and good point. Being in sales, I know one of the first rules is to get an objection so you can overcome it. Don''t say you can find a stone online for less(there was a RB post where the the OP was told they''d be happy to price match. The problem would be that they might of price matched their less well cut stone with the same stats as an "ideal" cut one). It''s very hard to overcome a "No, thank you."

 

[jstarfireb]

Date: 7/18/2008 10:04:08 PM
Author: TravelingGal
If you love the setting, don''t try to have it replicated. A couple of years ago, WF said they could make a setting that I liked. I inquired further and they backtracked just a bit and said it would be exactly the same (obviously) for copyright issues./QUOTE]

Whiteflash was pretty much spot on with mine. There are very minor differences, but I actually prefer the WF version. You would certainly have the ability to review the CADs and change any aspect of the ring that you don''t like.

Usually, mall jewelers like Robbins won''t allow you to buy the setting alone without the diamond. I really think your best bet is having a custom replica made, unless you can find out who designed it and get it from another source. Good Old Gold carries a lot of designer settings, so that might be a good place to start.

The most popular places around here are GOG and WF, but Engagement Rings Direct, Winfield''s, Pearlman''s, and some others are also highly respected. James Allen is close behind because they don''t have as lenient an upgrade policy.

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 7/19/2008 1:42:37 AM
Author: jstarfireb

Date: 7/18/2008 10:04:08 PM
Author: TravelingGal
If you love the setting, don''t try to have it replicated. A couple of years ago, WF said they could make a setting that I liked. I inquired further and they backtracked just a bit and said it would be exactly the same (obviously) for copyright issues./QUOTE]

Whiteflash was pretty much spot on with mine. There are very minor differences, but I actually prefer the WF version. You would certainly have the ability to review the CADs and change any aspect of the ring that you don''t like.

Usually, mall jewelers like Robbins won''t allow you to buy the setting alone without the diamond. I really think your best bet is having a custom replica made, unless you can find out who designed it and get it from another source. Good Old Gold carries a lot of designer settings, so that might be a good place to start.

The most popular places around here are GOG and WF, but Engagement Rings Direct, Winfield''s, Pearlman''s, and some others are also highly respected. James Allen is close behind because they don''t have as lenient an upgrade policy.

I found my Jeff Cooper setting at Robbins Diamonds (their wedding band division - http://weddingband.com/ ) I had stellar service from a lady there and they were much cheaper than Robbins Brothers (no relation, btw). I believe my e-ring setting was $400 cheaper and my wedding band $250 less. They let you buy any setting separately and just order from the vendor.

 

[Lovinglife1983]

Ok, not to come off too defensive; but I am a true supporter of Robbins Brothers. I have been a customer for almost a year now. Let me tell you my story; my husband and I had gone around ring shopping to various places...Zales, downtown LA, blue nile...etc...we visited Robbins Bros and were greeted by awesome associates...their quality surpassed others as far as the structure of the ring went, I had seen rings soooo poorly put together and was getting a little discouraged because I wanted something beautiful as well as well made. I found a ring I fell in love with made by their Simon G collection...when it came to diamonds; yes they were expensive but you get what you pay for if you want an inexpensive diamond, sure go for the internet sites but what happens when ten years down the road you lose that diamond? are you going to pay another 5000 to replace it? have fun with that...because I know NO sites offer a diamond warranty like theirs...they give you back like for like diamonds...u lose a $5000 .75 VS1 g color well guess what in ten years you get back a .75 VS1 g color...even though that diamond is worth 7k in the future...and I even saw on the websites you can have your diamond insured!? do people even realize how expensive that is over a series of years???? you buy a ring for 7k get charged 2.5% a year which doesnt seem like much but i dont know about you but I plan on being married for quite a long time, so after those years have passed you have paid for a whole new ring...that doesnt make sense...pay an extra 6k just to save 1500 dollars now...?? I really dont reccomend going the website route...plus when your future wife has some issue with her ring, which will happen WHEREVER you purchase, do you want her to be treated like a queen? or do you want someone on the other line to tell you "im sorry I cant help you there"; EVERY single time I step foot in that store I am treated like a priority...and if your woman isnt your priority then I am sorry =/...anyway Im sorry if this sounds rude I just dont see how people dont respect that company...ooo and they just started offering a replacement insurance for loss or theft for FREE, who does that??? no one...ok ok back to the original question I called the store I purchased at and they told me the return policy is thirty days...but I really dont recommend it,I really really love that place...haha in case you have not noticed...well best of luck to you!!

 

[JSM]

Date: 7/30/2008 1:01:35 AM
Author: Lovinglife1983
Ok, not to come off too defensive; but I am a true supporter of Robbins Brothers. I have been a customer for almost a year now. Let me tell you my story; my husband and I had gone around ring shopping to various places...Zales, downtown LA, blue nile...etc...we visited Robbins Bros and were greeted by awesome associates...their quality surpassed others as far as the structure of the ring went, I had seen rings soooo poorly put together and was getting a little discouraged because I wanted something beautiful as well as well made. I found a ring I fell in love with made by their Simon G collection...when it came to diamonds; yes they were expensive but you get what you pay for if you want an inexpensive diamond, sure go for the internet sites but what happens when ten years down the road you lose that diamond? are you going to pay another 5000 to replace it? have fun with that...because I know NO sites offer a diamond warranty like theirs...they give you back like for like diamonds...u lose a $5000 .75 VS1 g color well guess what in ten years you get back a .75 VS1 g color...even though that diamond is worth 7k in the future...and I even saw on the websites you can have your diamond insured!? do people even realize how expensive that is over a series of years???? you buy a ring for 7k get charged 2.5% a year which doesnt seem like much but i dont know about you but I plan on being married for quite a long time, so after those years have passed you have paid for a whole new ring...that doesnt make sense...pay an extra 6k just to save 1500 dollars now...?? I really dont reccomend going the website route...plus when your future wife has some issue with her ring, which will happen WHEREVER you purchase, do you want her to be treated like a queen? or do you want someone on the other line to tell you ''im sorry I cant help you there''; EVERY single time I step foot in that store I am treated like a priority...and if your woman isnt your priority then I am sorry =/...anyway Im sorry if this sounds rude I just dont see how people dont respect that company...ooo and they just started offering a replacement insurance for loss or theft for FREE, who does that??? no one...ok ok back to the original question I called the store I purchased at and they told me the return policy is thirty days...but I really dont recommend it,I really really love that place...haha in case you have not noticed...well best of luck to you!!

Hi lovinglife1983,

I humbly suggest that you take a few hours and read a bit about this site and the excellent experiences many members have had with online vendors. They will give you superior diamonds at excellent prices. Additionally, I believe there are many jewelers you can purchase Simon G through (though someone can contradict me if I''m wrong!).

Also, I highly recommend insuring your jewelry through a private insurer - no matter where you get it from! If they really replace a diamond for free due to loss or theft for free, great... but, usually if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is! A program like you describe can be easily be subject to fraud.

Armon, best of luck with your return! Can you post the setting so the members here may be able to identify it and find it for you elsewhere?