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when do you give up on a jeweler?

PinkyPie

PinkyPie

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 22, 2013
Messages
86
Hi all!

I dropped off some diamonds and a design idea to a local jewler last Sunday for a custom piece. The sales person told me that I would hear from the metal smith Monday or Tuesday at the latest. On Thursday I gave them a call because I hadn't heard from them. The lady I spoke to said she'd pass on my information to my sales rep because she didn't have any information other than it was marked, "cleared for pickup."

I didn't get a call back by Saturday so I decided to follow up. My saless rep said that she had notes on the design to share with me and that she would call me back Monday morning. And to no one's surprise, I wasn't called.

Time to move on?
 
Hmmm... things happen/messages get lost/time gets away from you/ you forget to call... I don't think I'd give up yet -go in, make an appointment and sit down face to face with them. If that fails, then I'd move on. Are there a lot of jewellers in your city that you are comfortable with the work of more than one bench?

I had an UBER crappy experience with a local jeweller here in my city and at the end of it all, I got my diamonds and my money back and went with a PS vendor and never looked back :bigsmile: My 'success' story is my avatar!

Good luck, I hope the next contact is the one that gets things moving... but if it isn't, you won't be able to change them, so cut your losses early in the game.
 
I was going to say that things might have been delayed because of the 4th of July holiday.
 
Enerchi -- there are a good number of jewelers in my area. I think that's what is driving me bonkers. With so very many choices available, you'd certainty think that they would want to win over a new client.

Ruby59 -- I thought about the holiday as well and that's why I waited to call. Isn't supposed to be under promise and over deliver? :D
 
I would move on. If this is how they act even before they have your deposit and a contract- I would not be optimistic in how they would act after. Unless you feel strongly that only their bench can design what you want- I would go and get my diamonds ASAP and find another. Even considering the July 4th holiday, it still doesn't excuse their not returning phone calls.
 
If you want to deal with a local jeweler (a lot of people still do!), research and find the best custom jeweler in your area. Chances are they are the best because they provide excellent customer service as well as do great work. There are a lot of artisans who do great work, but are too hard to deal with. You shouldn't settle for anything less than both!
 
Okay, now I'm really confused.

After another couple of follow up phone calls and leaving messages, I finally got a call from my sales rep. Unfortunately, I wasn't near my phone so it went to voice mail.

I was quoted a fairly high amount and there was no mention of viewing the preliminary sketches from their in-house metalsmith. So my husband said that I should pick up the diamonds and get another quote, just to see if that was inline with the number she gave me.

So, yesterday I went in to pick up my diamonds. She was with another client, but said that she would get everything for me. I incorrectly assumed this meant sketches and a written price quote. She looked the front of the store for a bit and then went into the back. When she came out she told me that she asked someone else to get everything for me.

The other lady came out and apologized saying that she couldn't find my diamonds. :confused: So my sales girl turned around and said that she sent them off to another company to have the ring made. I think the other lady was as perplexed as I was. So the other lady said that they would then be kept in a different place and that she would go to get them. And of course, she came back empty handed. She was again extremely embarrassed and apologetic. FYI -- this was all happening right next to my sales gal and her other client.

At that point my sales gal says, that she just decided to let the other company keep my diamonds because she figured that I would just go ahead and accept the quote. WAIT! If you knew this all along, why are you giving this other worker lady and me this run around!!!
:angryfire:

So as it turns out, she sent out my diamonds to an independent company without notifying anyone. She was the only one that knew about it. Is this normal?
 
I would definitely find a new jeweler....not being able to find your diamonds and the amount of run around you're getting
doesn't leave me with a warm fuzzy feeling. Cut your losses...there are plenty of other options.
 
Agreed tyty333.

The whole thing is just so sketchy.
 
The whole thing is extremely sketchy. I guess I am confused. Where are you to go in order to get your diamonds back? Were you at least given the name of the independent company that has them? What assurances do you have that you will be getting YOUR diamonds back and not some other switched diamonds? :confused:
 
uh oh... this is not giving me a good feeling... maybe its just bringing back the bad memories I had from my local jeweller experience, but IMO, this is a deal breaker. They are making assumptions on DESIGN and DOLLARS that you haven't seen or approved --- if it did go to a bench. Otherwise, they have now put your diamonds "somewhere" and no one can get to them??? ugh... Get those stones back and run out of that store!!

I was willing to give them the benefit of the doubt at the start of your post, now its hit the bizarre zone where its starting to feel just too unsettling for my comfort zone.

How are you feeling about this, pinkie pie?

( and no - this is NOT normal! $h*T happens, but this is not normal....)
 
Enerchi|1373988382|3483983 said:
uh oh... this is not giving me a good feeling... maybe its just bringing back the bad memories I had from my local jeweller experience, but IMO, this is a deal breaker. They are making assumptions on DESIGN and DOLLARS that you haven't seen or approved --- if it did go to a bench. Otherwise, they have now put your diamonds "somewhere" and no one can get to them??? ugh... Get those stones back and run out of that store!!

I was willing to give them the benefit of the doubt at the start of your post, now its hit the bizarre zone where its starting to feel just too unsettling for my comfort zone.

How are you feeling about this, pinkie pie?

( and no - this is NOT normal! $h*T happens, but this is not normal....)
Click to expand...

I am floored by what this jeweler has done... floored. :nono: I'm very sorry you are going through this, pinkie pie. :blackeye:
 
Enerchi|1373988382|3483983 said:
now its hit the bizarre zone
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Omygosh! I needed a good laugh right about now.

Enerchi|1373988382|3483983 said:
How are you feeling about this, pinkie pie?
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Actually, more bummed than anything. I usually buy all my goodies online. But, as I small business owner I wanted to keep my money in town for a change.
 
luvmysparklies|1373988092|3483977 said:
The whole thing is extremely sketchy. I guess I am confused. Where are you to go in order to get your diamonds back? Were you at least given the name of the independent company that has them? What assurances do you have that you will be getting YOUR diamonds back and not some other switched diamonds? :confused:
Click to expand...

You know, I've got no idea. I was in shock -- as in, I was totally emotionless, I didn't ask any questions (in fact I didn't really say much at all). I'm going to have hubby call them later. Not sure I should be the one to call them -- knowing me that'll be the moment the anger levee breaks.
 
Well, how many diamonds were there? Do you have certs for them, something that might help you verify what will be returned to you? Did you get some kind of written acknowledgement from the jeweler that you had in fact dropped diamonds off?
 
luvmysparklies|1373993816|3484066 said:
Well, how many diamonds were there? Do you have certs for them, something that might help you verify what will be returned to you? Did you get some kind of written acknowledgement from the jeweler that you had in fact dropped diamonds off?
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Oh yes, I've got my certificates and receipt for dropping them off. I'm sure it'll all work out fine in the end. :(
 
I just called jewelry store and diamonds should back to me tomorrow.

Side note-- this is same store that accidentally triple charged my husband for a necklace last year. I think we're done here.
 
PinkyPie, you need to confirm confirm confirm that you do indeed receive YOUR diamonds back. You're fortunate that you have both the drop off receipt and reports for your stones. Do NOT assume that they are giving you back YOUR diamonds, too many bizarre things have happened with this jeweler to take their word for it. Trust but VERIFY!!!
 
PinkyPie|1374075274|3484736 said:
I just called jewelry store and diamonds should back to me tomorrow.

Side note-- this is same store that accidentally triple charged my husband for a necklace last year. I think we're done here.
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:shock: yup!!

So.... What's plan B?

And a HUGE +100000000000 to Christina's advice ---- check and triple check you are getting back YOUR diamonds.... Something's fishy here
 
Plan B: I dropped a 0.6 off at another local to have them set it in a pendant. They were great! If the necklace matches their level of service I think we may be on to something.
 
Poor customer service is a huge pet peeve. I live in a small town and the stores here act like they're doing you a favor by being open (when they're actually open) and then they complain when you don't feel obligated to buy from them. Why should I buy from someplace that has poor service, higher prices, and products of lesser quality than I can buy elsewhere? :(sad

Pinky, I hope your diamonds arrive safe and sound and this new place lives up to your expectations.
 
Thanks for all the tremendous support, well wishes, and advice. I think my head would have exploded by now if it weren't for you!
 
PinkyPie|1374096730|3485009 said:
Plan B: I dropped a 0.6 off at another local to have them set it in a pendant. They were great! If the necklace matches their level of service I think we may be on to something.
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:appl: YAY! I hope this place is your new 'go-to' place!! Good luck!
 
FINALLY!!

Diamonds are back in hand from sketchy jeweler and my necklace from new jeweler is stunning! I can't stop looking at it.

Happy Endings are a good thing. Thanks again for everyone's tremendous support through that icky mess.
 
:appl:


Yay! But you can't tease us w good news, then not post pics!! :nono: Not fair!!

Pics or we won't believe you ;))
 
Pinkie Pie, I am glad you got your diamonds back and love your new pendant. I love a happy ending. And yes pictures please.
 
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