Disappointed by WF

[happilyeverafter]

I might get flamed for this, but I''m so sad I had to get it out. We ordered my custom engagement ring from WhiteFlash almost two months ago. After all the tweaking they estimated 3 weeks for delivery. Then it got pushed back to four, which was completely understandable, as i''ve heard they are busy. On Wed (just over 4 weeks) BF got the call that it had been shipped, so you can imagine how excited we were to finally almost have our ring. Then yesterday morning BF gets a call from WF saying that they had to stop the shipment because they had sent the package to Fedex, but found out afterwards that they hadn''t finished the ring!! They shipped it only partially done!

So now they have it back and are starting over (as soon as they found out about the error they started a new band, instead of waiting for the original to come baack).

The really sad part about this is that my BF had expressed long ago to them that we had a very important family reunion this weekend and he wanted to propose before we left so that we could announce our engagement to all these people that we rarely get to see, and celebrate with them. WF assured us that we would have the ring in time. Now we won''t be able to tell them anything, because BF won''t formally propose without the ring (and I don''t want him to either). I''m also taking a big shopping trip to the US with my mom and sister next week (I''m from Canada), and I was going to try on wedding dresses (I''m having a short engagement - wedding''s in Dec), but now I feel completely akward trying on dresses when i''m not even "officially" engaged or have a ring to show it.

Why did WF need so long the first time to do the ring (4 weeks - and still never completely finished it) and yet now they say it''ll be shipped by Aug 2nd (5 days)?

Sorry about the rant but I had to get this out. I''m so disappointed. Thanks for listening

 

[KimberlyH]

HEA,

I just wanted to say I''m so sorry. I can imagine your disappointment and frustration, WF is loved around here but not perfect and it seems they have made a pretty big goof!

Have you considered getting engaged sans ring? It''s your and your BF''s intent that truly matters, not what sits on the fourth finger of your left hand. (And when people ask to see the ring and you share the story I''m sure you''d get lots of sympathy

). Just something to consider so you can still go about your celebration and wedding dress planning as it seems very important to you both.

~K

 

[darkeyesredshoes]

I don''t have any advice, but I just wanted to say it was so frustrating reading your post. I''m really, really sorry. It''s such an exciting time, and to be disappointed like that is so tough. If you still want to try on wedding dresses, you could always say your ring is at the jeweler''s being sized. That way you wouldn''t have to give the salesladies your life story and they''d ask fewer questions. You shouldn''t miss out on the highlight of your shopping trip!

I hope WF comes through for you.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 7/27/2007 10:15:43 AM
Author: KimberlyH
HEA,

I just wanted to say I''m so sorry. I can imagine your disappointment and frustration, WF is loved around here but not perfect and it seems they have made a pretty big goof!

Have you considered getting engaged sans ring? It''s your and your BF''s intent that truly matters, not what sits on the fourth finger of your left hand. (And when people ask to see the ring and you share the story I''m sure you''d get lots of sympathy

). Just something to consider so you can still go about your celebration and wedding dress planning as it seems very important to you both.

~K

I agree.

And yes, you can be engaged without a ring! My hubby proposed without one, as he knew how picky I was, and didn''t dare get one on his own. But I definitely felt engaged even without the ring, which is only a symbol.

 

[neatfreak]

So sorry to hear that!!! Even the best vendors screw up sometimes, it''s just sucky that they can''t come through for you.

Have you considered getting "engaged" with an obviously fake cocktail ring or ring pop? That way you have A ring and can announce your engagement, then just tell everyone that your FI was so considerate and is letting you pick your own custom ring that isn''t done yet.

No one will say a PEEP to that because they will think it was so considerate of your FI!

 

[happilyeverafter]

Thanks all for your replies. I (and BF) had only wanted the ring for this weekend to show people of course, as we are both very proud of the ring, and I thought the only alternative was to go ringless. I like the idea of either saying the ring is being sized or that it''s being custom-made and having an obviously fake one temporarily. I''ll have to tell BF to go get a fake one and it better be a honker!

You guys made me feel better

Hopefully we have time to get one before we leave today!

I know WF has excellent stones and does exceptional work, but unfortunately their customer service has steadily declined throughout the entire process. I''m sure that this is not everyone''s experience, and companies shouldn''t be judged on one bad situation, but I honestly can''t say that I''ll go back to them again for any custom work. Standard settings would be fine though. And I don''t say this to scare other people off, because I know many have had wonderful custom experiences with WF.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 7/27/2007 10:42:20 AM
Author: happilyeverafter
Thanks all for your replies. I (and BF) had only wanted the ring for this weekend to show people of course, as we are both very proud of the ring, and I thought the only alternative was to go ringless. I like the idea of either saying the ring is being sized or that it''s being custom-made and having an obviously fake one temporarily. I''ll have to tell BF to go get a fake one and it better be a honker!

You guys made me feel better

Hopefully we have time to get one before we leave today!

I know WF has excellent stones and does exceptional work, but unfortunately their customer service has steadily declined throughout the entire process. I''m sure that this is not everyone''s experience, and companies shouldn''t be judged on one bad situation, but I honestly can''t say that I''ll go back to them again for any custom work. Standard settings would be fine though. And I don''t say this to scare other people off, because I know many have had wonderful custom experiences with WF.

lol A word of advice, I wouldn''t get it bigger than your real stone, or your real stone may look look rather small when you do get it.

And there is nothing wrong with posting your experience with WF. This board is here to post not only the good, but the bad and ugly too.

Have fun on your trip!!

 

[JohnQuixote]

HappilyEverAfter, we’re extremely disappointed too.Your rep was out so I was the one who contacted your BF.He was very understanding and I appreciate him taking time to speak with me.We’re sorry for the mistake and as I told him, I hope the discount we’ve extended will stand as a small gesture of apology.

I did want to clarify that the ring was complete but we caught the fact that the ‘finish’ was not correct - not that it’s partially done.The reason we'll be able to ship sooner this time is because we're sensitive to your situation and began producing an entirely new piece for you in the interest of time.To get this ring back, unset the diamonds, refine it and turn it around would take longer than what we’re doing now to ensure we get it to you with all haste:The longest part of the custom process is coordinating CAD & design time with the client and then with the jewelers who will create the piece. In this case we’ve already made the piece - as soon as we realized the mistake we began creating a new one for you with urgency.

We hope you will accept our apologies - and please let me know if there is anything else we can do.[/i]

 

[happilyeverafter]

Actually I just talked to BF about the fake ring idea and he said he doesn''t want to do it

When he officially proposes he wants the real ring, since he wants the proposal to be absolutely perfect and doesn''t want it tainted by a fake ring. He wants the real ring to be part of the real proposal. I tried the "but it''s just a ring" line but he also said that since we are leaving right after work today he doesn''t want it to be a rush proposal, done because it had to be for the weekend, he wants to plan it (and his original plans were shot since the ring was delayed). So I guess it''s back to keeping it hush hush. I still do feel a lot better about the situation after getting it out though. Thanks for helping with that!

 

[Ellen]

John, thanks for clarifying things.

 

[happilyeverafter]

Thanks for your apoligies John. Even though we were very disappointed with the situation we understand that accidents happen. BF had said that both the finish and the prongs weren''t as they were supposed to be, and I''m just glad that he didn''t present the ring to me like that, as it would have been very upsetting. I appreciate that you are trying to get the ring out as soon as possible. We look forward to receiving it so it can be a part of our special day.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 7/27/2007 11:00:25 AM
Author: happilyeverafter
Thanks for your apoligies John. Even though we were very disappointed with the situation we understand that accidents happen. BF had said that both the finish and the prongs weren't as they were supposed to be, and I'm just glad that he didn't present the ring to me like that, as it would have been very upsetting. I appreciate that you are trying to get the ring out as soon as possible. We look forward to receiving it so it can be a part of our special day.

You're welcome of course. I'm not trying to diminish our fault here (we're definitely in the corner) but I wanted to clarify that the issue was incorrect finish, not prongs/craftsmanship. I'd hate for you to imagine some mangled thing. I must say the ring you designed is beautiful and will be delivered just as you envisioned it. Thank you for your understanding - you have every right to be disappointed.

 

[Haven]

Happilyeverafter I''m sorry to hear about this, too.

As far as celebrating with your family--you COULD come right out and make an announcement since you know the wedding date already, and then when people ask, tell them the truth! If it were me, I''d hate to have a vendor error ruin my chance to celebrate with all of my loved ones.

However, my BF is very traditional and I understand if yours is absolutely against saying anything until the details are all worked out.

On a complete side note--your avatar is ADORABLE! Is that your bunny? If not, wherever did you find that picture?

I hope it all works out for you in the end, and I can''t wait to see your handshots and hear your engagement story!

Have a great time at the reunion!

 

[Stephanie]

Happily, I know that you are so disappointed about the ring. But it is very nice of your future fiance to want to give you this perfect proposal that he has been thinking of. Enjoy the weekend, tell everyone about your wedding plans (thus far) and really be with your relatives that you don''t see very often. In the back of your mind, keep the thought that your gorgeous ring will arrive soon and so will your amazing proposal. And as soon as that happens - we want pictures!!

 

[happilyeverafter]

Thanks also to Haven and Stephanie for your support. It is amazing how a conversation on PS can lift your sorrow!

Haven, that isn''t my bunny, but we used to have one just like him. We could never get a good pic of him tho, so i improvised. I''ll have to get a pic of my three cats up there someday!!

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

So sorry to hear of your disappointment! Poor you, and poor BF. Mistakes happen, it''s just soooo horrible when it is something so symbolic and important. I hope you enjoy the family get together as much as you can in the circumstances, and that when you do receive your perfect proposal, with your beautiful ring, you forget all about this in the excitement of starting your new life together!

From my own experience of WF, I think you will be blown away by their diamonds and their workmanship, but I totally understand your disappointment.

Looking forward to seeing pics of your ring!

Jen

 

[monarch64]

I hope everything turns out well!