Buyer beware - Gastones on Etsy

[Indylady]

Tl;dr I got totally duped by an Etsy gem dealer who took $600 from me and then closed her shop and websites.

I bought a $600 ruby on Etsy on Sept. 17 from Gastones, a husband-wife gem cutting team - Greg and Katie Gaston. I didn’t hear a peep after I placed the order (I waited patiently given Covid+small business), and then reached out to the seller. She told me she was going through a divorce and would send the ruby ASAP, so I actually even sent her a nice quote about life changes and said I understood, etc. and the seller even told me I was her favorite customer!

Then she marked it shipped. I asked for a tracking number several times, and finally filed a non-delivered item case on Etsy on Oct. 2 - then she closed her shop and NEVER SENT THE RUBY and kept the $600! Etsy let her close the shop even though there was a non-delivered item case open, and neither she nor Etsy replied to my dispute for days either, even after I escalated the case. I chatted Etsy support chat 3 times, and all they have said is that they will check with the seller and label this urgent. I can’t believe I was so duped! They had an Etsy site with 22 reviews, Facebook, a website, and an Instagram. She even has her AGTA certificate in her photos. Only the Instagram is still up

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

- they’ve shut down everything else overnight.

What do I do? Any tips? Etsy has been a black box nightmare to deal with.

 

[DauphineMucha]

Did you pay with CC? Charge back possible?

 

[LemonMoonLex]

As awful and frustrating as this is it might be a really bad miscommunication as I've read of sellers having their account closed for no reason.

I would urge you to create an IG account and contact them on there as they seem to be active. Also try any remaining website!

I still think that it's important to advocate for yourself though and ask for a charge back from your CC company. $600 isn't chump change and you deserve a refund or the stone. Whether you do the charge back now or try to speak to them first on IG/website that is up to you, but I wouldn't wait longer than a couple of days for a response if you do!

 

[MamaBee]

Tl;dr I got totally duped by an Etsy gem dealer who took $600 from me and then closed her shop and websites.

I bought a $600 ruby on Etsy on Sept. 17 from Gastones, a husband-wife gem cutting team - Greg and Katie Gaston. I didn’t hear a peep after I placed the order (I waited patiently given Covid+small business), and then reached out to the seller. She told me she was going through a divorce and would send the ruby ASAP, so I actually even sent her a nice quote about life changes and said I understood, etc. and the seller even told me I was her favorite customer!

Then she marked it shipped. I asked for a tracking number several times, and finally filed a non-delivered item case on Etsy on Oct. 2 - then she closed her shop and NEVER SENT THE RUBY and kept the $600! Etsy let her close the shop even though there was a non-delivered item case open, and neither she nor Etsy replied to my dispute for days either, even after I escalated the case. I chatted Etsy support chat 3 times, and all they have said is that they will check with the seller and label this urgent. I can’t believe I was so duped! They had an Etsy site with 22 reviews, Facebook, a website, and an Instagram. She even has her AGTA certificate in her photos. Only the Instagram is still up

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

- they’ve shut down everything else overnight.

What do I do? Any tips? Etsy has been a black box nightmare to deal with.

@Indylady This happened me but the store remained open. Etsy wasn’t any help. I paid with PayPal TG. I was able to get my money back after they did an investigation. I only use PayPal when I can now. If you paid by either PayPal or your credit card contact them now. Good luck!

 

[GliderPoss]

This is awful! I’d chase via credit card or PayPal for refund plus straight up ask them on their Instagram WTF...

 

[icy_jade]

Thank you for sharing

 

[VividRed]

I am very sorry for you, it must be very frustrating and disheartening. I hope you manage to get your money back!

Fair warning for whoever reads this and is new to buying gemstones online (not referring to you @Indylady ) : we have a list of trusted vendors on this forum. start there, you can’t go wrong!

best of luck,
VRed

 

[LIGemzGal]

Im very sorry this happened to you. This is awful. I would dispute the charge with your CC company. They may want you to file a police report but certainly do that if it means getting your money back. $600 is no small sum these days, or any other day. Good luck and fingers crossed for a succesful outcome for you.

 

[arkieb1]

Most credit card and bank transactions can be reversed you need to contact them and file a claim against them.