Bad Experience

[BluePea]

My boyfriend and I have ordered a setting from a local jeweler on February 28. The jeweler said that it would take about a week to make the setting, which is one of his standard store designs, and a day to set our diamond. He immediately charged my boyfriend’s card for the entire amount.

Making the setting took longer than expected; I called his store several times, and he kept saying that it would be a few more days. We took the extra time to do more research, and we ended up getting another diamond in the meantime, which we took to his store this past Saturday, two weeks and a half after we ordered the setting. Even though obtaining a new diamond took time, I feel that the delay in getting the ring done was not our fault, as he didn’t even have the setting at the time we gave him the diamond. He said the setting was at his other office.

We have plans for an engagement trip this weekend, and he promised that he would have the ring ready by Tuesday, so that we have time to have the ring appraised and sign the insurance policy before leaving on Friday morning (tomorrow). As of now, he still doesn’t have the ring.

To his defense, he has been dealing with a medical emergency in his family. On the other hand, he said that he is not setting the diamond himself, and if I am correct setting a diamond shouldn’t take more than an hour. I am very upset about the fact that most likely we will have to go on our trip without a ring, and I feel that I wouldn’t want to wear a setting made in his store to remind me of this unpleasant experience for the rest of my life.

Would it be unreasonable to ask for our money back? I know he made the setting, and maybe I am being insensitive to his personal problems, but he had almost four weeks to do this, but he hasn’t delivered anything even though he took our money

 

[Iceman]

Put the shoe on the other foot.

Do what you think is right in your heart.

Dont be like the rest in your generation.

 

[ammayernyc]

Date: 3/24/2005 4:32:26 PM
Author: Iceman
Put the shoe on the other foot.

Do what you think is right in your heart.

Dont be like the rest in your generation.

Whoa. Not helpful and extremely rude.

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 3/24/2005 4:32:26 PM
Author: Iceman


Dont be like the rest in your generation.

This has to be one of the rudest comments I've seen in my years here, Corey......completely uncalled for.

 

[Iceman]

What am I suppose to say, go ahead and stiff the guy ?

I suppose you never spanked your kids ?

Really , It use to be your word ment something and there was some understanding on things.

There is nothing rude about hard true.

I guess I look at this from being in the business and knowing what its like to have delays.

Please dont feed the fire unless you walked in this guys shoes.

 

[bluedawg]

Aw, I''m really sorry the ring isn''t ready for your special trip.I am certain that I would be nearly devastated if I were in your shoes.
However, I would find it hard to ask for my money back if he has a legitimate family emergency.

I dunno... it seems like he''d try to make things right eventually... maybe he''ll offer a break off the total cost? Not something I would feel comfortable asking for, but maybe he''ll surprise you.

Sorry no better advice.

 

[ammayernyc]

What am I suppose to say, go ahead and stiff the guy ?

I suppose you never spanked your kids ?

Really , It use to be your word ment something and there was some understanding on things.

There is nothing rude about hard true.

I guess I look at this from being in the business and knowing what its like to have delays.

Please dont feed the fire unless you walked in this guys shoes.


You were the first person to repond to her question. You could have said, 'I work in the business and there are things that happen and if you don't pay him it's bad' or something of the sort. Or, you could have not responded at all.
Instead, you insult her.

 

[FireGoddess]

Corey, using your own words, "it used to be your word meant something."

He said it would take a week. It''s been four.

Understandably, he''s under duress. We all can identify with this.

If I were in his shoes, I''d just be straight with the customer. He said the setting was in his other office. Does that mean it''s finished? If so, can''t someone else in the shop set the diamond if he can''t? Setting the stone is much less time than making a setting, etc. If it''s just not done, he should just say so.

If I couldn''t deliver something I''d promised, even in extenuating circumstances, I''d give someone the option of backing out if my unavoidable circumstances interfere with what they need. It''s the nature of service oriented business.

Bluepea, I hope you get your ring in time for your trip.

 

[BluePea]

I was too quick to say that he won''t have the ring ready: he said he''ll have it by tomorrow at noon, so we''ll have to leave later than planned, but we''ll have a ring! Yay!

The reason I was so upset is that he kept saying that it would be ready soon, rather than being upfront about whatever difficulties he had with the person who makes the rings and sets diamonds for him, and also the price is quite steep, but we decided to go with him because we assumed we would get good service from a reputable New York City jeweler, and because he said it would take only a little over a week.

In any case, there is a happy ending, and I hope the setting looks as good as the sample ones in his store!

 

[strmrdr]

I agree with Iceman''s first 2 lines.

"Put the shoe on the other foot.

Do what you think is right in your heart."


.....
Family emergencies holding stuff up is one of the drawbacks of dealing with a small business but the personalized service and supporting the small guy makes up for it.

 

[Iceman]

FireGoddess ~ Actually it was posted "About a week"

Bluepea ~ Great, glad it all worked out. Sorry if I was rude.

 

[FireGoddess]

Date: 3/24/2005 4:56:41 PM
Author: Iceman
FireGoddess ~ Actually it was posted 'About a week'

Bluepea ~ Great, glad it all worked out. Sorry if I was rude.

I have to laugh, seriously...because whether he said it would take "a week" or "about a week"...that is NOT A MONTH. Nor is it "nearly" a month. Nor is it "about" a month.

Bluepea - hope you like the ring!!!

 

[codex57]

Guys and girls must REALLY think differently. The only rude comment I saw was the "Don't be like the rest of your generation" remark, but that's not really against her.

Plus, it's true. Too much, "I'm the victim" attitude nowadays. Prime example of this being how worked up people get about mistreating prisoners even though that prisoner slaughtered innocent victims and some police officers.

As a whole, his comment, while not the gentlest way to put it, wasn't rude at all IMO. According to his comment, if she looks at it from the jeweler's point of view, and still thinks that 4 weeks is too long, she's still free to complain.

 

[strmrdr]

BluePea,
Glad it worked out!
Dont forget to post pictures of the ring whan you get back!

 

[fire&ice]

Date: 3/24/2005 5:19:52 PM
Author: crankydave
To his defense, he has been dealing with a medical emergency in his family. On the other hand, he said that he is not setting the diamond himself, and if I am correct setting a diamond shouldn’t take more than an hour. I am very upset about the fact that most likely we will have to go on our trip without a ring, and I feel that I wouldn’t want to wear a setting made in his store to remind me of this unpleasant experience for the rest of my life.

Not going to post, not going to post. Not going to listen to that little voice. Not going to do it. Nope not going to. Nope will not. Won''t say it. Not going to say it Can''t make me say it...

I rarely agree with Iceman... til now.

Dave

I will for a couple of reasons. First, EXPECTATIONS are far worse than REALITY. She expected the ring to be ready for her trip. She envisioned having this ring on her finger. Perhaps not a big deal to a guy, but to her - she gets to show everyone & feel special on this special trip. Had he said the ring won''t be ready for this trip (THE REALITY) - NO EXPECTATIONS to wear the ring.

Second, I am sick and tired of lumping *this generation* together insinuating that they are empty. I know PLENTY of kids who are bright eyed, sweet & grateful. I, also, know several of my peers (40+ year olds) whose souls are empty.

Bluepea - glad you will have your ring & can''t wait for some pics.

 

[AndyRosse]

Date: 3/24/2005 4:59:22 PM
Author: codex57
Guys and girls must REALLY think differently. The only rude comment I saw was the ''Don''t be like the rest of your generation'' remark, but that''s not really against her.

Plus, it''s true. Too much, ''I''m the victim'' attitude nowadays. Prime example of this being how worked up people get about mistreating prisoners even though that prisoner slaughtered innocent victims and some police officers.

As a whole, his comment, while not the gentlest way to put it, wasn''t rude at all IMO. According to his comment, if she looks at it from the jeweler''s point of view, and still thinks that 4 weeks is too long, she''s still free to complain.

First of all, the "I''m a victim attitude" is not just a younger generation "thing." It''s something this whole country has developed.

Second of all, who is anyone to suggest that she is part of the younger generation?

Finally, what happened to innocent until proven guilty? We don''t live in an eye-for-an-eye society. No matter how heinous a crime may be, mistreating and humilitating prisoners is UNACCEPTABLE. Whether or not they are convicted felons.

 

[codex57]

Date: 3/24/2005 5:59

1 PM
Author: Stretch4

Date: 3/24/2005 4:59:22 PM

First of all, the ''I''m a victim attitude'' is not just a younger generation ''thing.'' It''s something this whole country has developed.


Second of all, who is anyone to suggest that she is part of the younger generation?


Finally, what happened to innocent until proven guilty? We don''t live in an eye-for-an-eye society. No matter how heinous a crime may be, mistreating and humilitating prisoners is UNACCEPTABLE. Whether or not they are convicted felons.

Innocent until proven guilty is only in a court of law when charged with a crime. Just like discrimination isn''t a crime. And not everything is protected discrimination.

Mistreating and humiliating prisoners is one thing. Giving them designer couches, state of the art equipment, etc. is another. People often forget it''s PRISON! It''s not supposed to be "Camp Cupcake." Ack, shouldn''t have brought up the prisoners topic.

You''re right, most of this country has taken up this "I''m a victim" attitude. However, the oldest generation seems to have more people who don''t have that attitude.

 

[FireGoddess]

Wow, maybe you should talk to someone about all that (

).

I think the point still remains that the jeweler could not meet his projected completion date, and should have been straight with the consumer and either told her it would not be done on time, or allowed her the option of taking her business elsewhere.

She paid him to do a job within a certain time frame. If it couldn''t be done for whatever reason, and that was unacceptable to the consumer, she should have a right to call it off.

It apparently IS going to be done before the trip, so...there you go.

Compassion aside, because yes, family IS the most important thing, they have a business relationship. A product, a time frame, a payment. If leeway can be had, all the better. If it can''t, she has a right to be upset. She could have gone with someone else for the ring, who could have done it when she needed it.

 

[fire&ice]

Crankydave, you clearly don''t get the expectation of perfect presentation that a consumer may have. Oh wait, you aren''t a consumer. CLEAR as a bell on that one.

Sorry, a family emergency is just that. A consumer shouldn''t be informed of such & shouldn''t be involved in it. Plain and simple = it''s his problem not his clients. Nothing wrong with perhaps giving a heads up; but, a heads up with realistic expectations & an offer to go elsewhere.

I don''t care one bit what the jeweler''s personal position is. So you really think it appropriate for a CEO to stand up to it''s board members and expect them to be sympathic to an after report of his "absence" = NOPE.

I shake my head and wonder whether jewlers think they are actually in business.

 

[MrsFrk]

Two things can be true at the same time. A) she thought that their engagement trip was going to be scrapped because the ring wouldn''t be ready, and that really, really, sucks rocks. B) the jeweler had a family emergency, and had other things on his mind, and felt attending to his ill relative was more important.

Yes, the jeweler is a businessman, but he is also a human being. When my husband fell ill, I couldn''t even shower and brush my teeth. Blue Pea, you absolutely have the right to be upset, but I also think that you should take the circumstances into account. Perhaps express your sympathy with the situation, yet also express your disappointment. Maybe a discount could be arranged. It is a bit over the top to say that the ring will ''remind you of this unpleasant experience''. Do you know what is way more unpleasant? Having someone you love fall ill and thinking you are going to lose them. A lovely woman here named Solange has said that she would trade her 4 carat diamond in a heartbeat if it meant the good health of her son and husband.

So now you have your ring, you''re gonna get married (yippeee!) and you''re both healthy. Count your blessings. Good luck!

 

[ame]

Well I hope it''s perfect! Sorry it was such a pain!

 

[Kaleigh]

I am very dissapointed in the sheer meaness that has occured here today, a little compassion could go a long ways on both sides??

 

[ame]

Date: 3/24/2005 8:14:28 PM
Author: fire&ice


Sorry, a family emergency is just that. A consumer shouldn't be informed of such & shouldn't be involved in it. Plain and simple = it's his problem not his clients. Nothing wrong with perhaps giving a heads up; but, a heads up with realistic expectations & an offer to go elsewhere.


I don't care one bit what the jeweler's personal position is. So you really think it appropriate for a CEO to stand up to it's board members and expect them to be sympathic to an after report of his 'absence' = NOPE.
.

I have to agree with this--My field allows absolutely NO excuses, ever, for any circumstance, and even the most minute error costs MANY MILLIONS of dollars. If I died tomorrow, my bosses and coworkers would have to bust their humps to finish anything that went to printers tomorrow on. There are no excuses. Death, illness, whatever. Never. Just no exceptions, and I, for one, like it that way. Even if it inconveniences me to do someone elses whole workload for whatever reason, the client NEVER knows and the project is done, ON TIME, or earlier, with NO errors. Done right the first time, on time.

Of recent years I have seen and heard more and more excuses for things not being done on time or correctly. Do what was supposed to be done, ON TIME, and don't make excuses.

I am a compassionate person, most of the time, but having something I ordered and paid in full for, up front, and given a time frame for which to expect this project/service to be accomplished by that date, no exceptions, unless I did something incorrectly or ordered the wrong thing.

 

[mightyred]

Ouch! This thread has got very combative! Downright mean!

I am sure Bluepea has got the point now without being further attacked. Bluepea has stated she jumped the gun has an end in sight so is now happy. All she wanted was for him to be upfront and be honest.

Iceman ....tact and diplomacy is your friend.

Crankydave, I don''t see why the need for so much

when she had already stated she is now happy. A little over the top much?? There are far more important things to get worked up about than this thread (your merchandise should teach you that!). I think I am clear on your customer service policy!

Fire& Ice - I couldn''t have said it better myself!

Bluepea, I wish you all the best and hope that when the ring arrives it is as promised and you have a wonderful engagement weekend! This weekend has been planned, is important to you both and your families and will be one of the happiest times of your lives. Congrats (and hugs) in advance!

 

[mightyred]

Crankydave , Dave who is Cranky, your

=expletive post above means that I am unlikely to ever want to ''test'' your customer service ! There are plenty of other vendors to choose from whether online or B&M. Good customer service is not a dying industry.

Call me old fashioned but expletives are a little passe and a little rude n''est pas?

 

[Kaleigh]

Steve,
I hope your mom is ok that must have been quite a scare!! I hope her scan goes well tomorrow.

 

[twinkletoes]

yeesh....

bluepea: glad things worked out. i do think it was a bit much to ask for your money back, but i''m thinking you wouldn''t have asked anyways. it was more of a voice over to feel more in control of a situation that had you hanging on by a string.

and feyakin, your mom will be in my thoughts. and yes, no cats while doing her scan. i''m more a dog person anyways...

 

[Mara]

From someone who had to wait 4 weeks for their ring to be done and then another when it was not done in 4 weeks...I was very impatient, but in no way ever even considered to not take possession of the ring and/or return it or get my money back. Sure everyone wants that perfect presentation, but sometimes reality does step in...

The original post was a bit dramatic, what with the "unpleasant experience for the rest of my life" comment especially in light of the "medical emergency" and "i know he already made the ring". I couldn't imagine asking for my money back just because someone dealing with a family emergency lagged--especially when I know the ring is custom and being done. Sure maybe a discount but nothing more...the unfortunate truth is that sometimes things do not go as planned. That is the reality and in a perfect world, the jeweler would call you to tell you that its delayed, but obviously he had alot of stuff going on in his life.

It's tough because I am a very anal consumer to work with and expect alot from vendors, but yet I'm in sales so I know how tough some customers can be. Normally, I would say the jeweler was at huge fault for slacking, but you did note that you sourced another diamond, so it delayed the project anyhow AND with his medical emergency, I think both parties were a bit responsible. Also, sometimes communication between two parties can get all jumbled up!

At least you will have the ring in time for the trip which is very positive...hope you can get over the initial stress and enjoy your new ring. Oh and of course POST PICTURES when you return! Good luck!

 

[Christy42]

"I am sorry that this incident got blowed up real good like it did.. When you run a small business you are pulled in far too many directions at the same time.. And I can imagine how this particular scenario came about.. Jeweler was hired to do a job wit a certain due date.. Jeweler had a family emergency that caused him to fall behind in his work.. Jeweler is now trapped between taking care of his familiy and trying to take care of his customers.. "


Very well said. I am a self-employed CPA so you know what I''m doing in between visits to pricescope until April 15th.........Anyway, if one thing throws a wrench in my schedule, everything gets behind. I work from home so distractions and interruptions are plentiful as are the other duties of motherhood and wifehood.......need I say more. People aren''t forgiving when you have 250 tax returns to do, a nine year old and your husband herniates a disk. Work, they say, work!!!!

 

[sjz]

Date: 3/24/2005 10:41

9 PM
Author: Feydakin
We talked tonight - she said she hopes they don''t find any cats while doing a cat scan.. So she is at least in good humor..

Thanks -

*we now return you to our previously scheduled argument *

Steve,

I must admit that when I saw the direction the thread was taking, I stopped reading it. Out of curiosity for how things turned out for Bluepea, I came back to read the last few posts and I saw this about your mom. I hope things turn out ok, and will keep her in my prayers!




BluePea,

I''m glad you are going to get your ring in time for your trip and that everything turned out ok with the ring. I know how it feels to have things get messed up and/or delayed. It''s frustrating! But things worked out for you, despite it all. Congrats on your new ring and your engagement.

Suz