Whiteflash refund nightmare!!!

[Cerulean]

For this OP, it was a nightmare. There was miscommunication about being advised the refund would be in the form of a check, and then told, no, the refund would be by wire, and then 2 days past the refund date provided by the vendor go by without receiving notification of the refund -- all of this would give me pause under these circumstances.

If nothing else, it informs potential customers about the refund process not entirely being within the control of the company initiating the refund, such that certainty of when the refund will actually be received by the customer may vary depending on the other financial institutions involved.

Just because other consumers are perhaps more savvy about big-ticket refunds and/or more laissez faire about financial matters and/or can afford to wait however long it takes to receive a refund, doesn't mean this OP didn't perceive this return transaction as a nightmare *to OP* and as a consumer forum, it is entirely right and proper that OP post about it here.

I totally get where you are coming from. Empathy is important...

I don't mean to be nasty, but I honestly don't think this knowledge is specific to jewelry purchases at all, but rather any purchase using a credit card or peer-to-peer service. At this point, it is basically common sense as a consumer in today's world. For example, I'm waiting on a refund right now for a pair of blue jeans. The returned item was received by the vendor August 10, and I still don't have cash in my account. It's not the vendor's fault, it's because of the number of parties involved. I'm not harassing the vendor about my money, either. Granted it's hundreds rather than thousands of dollars. Come mid-September, I may have questions and might use their chat support...

I'm not rolling in it either so I wouldn't call myself laissez-faire, so refund delays can be quite problematic for me financially and they are stressful. I monitor my bank accounts with a fine-toothed comb. So I do appreciate the angst.

But it is very standard for it to just take time, and the vendor has literally no control over the bank or lender's clearing systems, so reaming the vendor out is about as productive as screaming into the void.

 

[marymm]

* ought to * does not equal * reality *

I don't know the OP/WF backstory and don't really care -- unless OP has misrepresented the refund scenario which per @Texas Leaguer 's post above OP has not, I stand by what I said.

I guess this works too: I'm sure every consumer who sees this thread hopes never to deal with WF as a vendor (unless said consumer likes mistakes and miscommunication as WF engaged in this transaction per @Texas Leaguer)

 

[seaurchin]

I don't think there's been any ill intent on either side here whatsoever, just misunderstandings, which have now been resolved, I think? So I'd kind of hate to see either of them getting a negative label here. If the parties involved agree, perhaps this thread could just be deleted?

 

[Bonfire]

It seems of late more posters are coming on to air even the slightest grievance. @Texas Leaguer being the consummate professional, handles these cases *publicly* here. Could this be why certain posters feel they will get their issue fast tracked?

 

[MWM]

I notice a trend with the dissatisfaction threads. It often goes like so >>

1) Customer has a change of intent / plans / undoes an order / returns a piece for refund

2) customer dictates a break in the vendor's usual protocol with regard to accommodating refund, timing, or method. Thereby attempting to take control of - and disrupting the established flow established over time by that particular vendor's team - leaving the vendor's staff unsure of this situation will be resolved - so staff speaks with past experience for reference. Past experience was not identical to this situation with this client and a S#it show ensues.

I won't tell you too much about the client who had paid by wire transfer to us for a project hours before I suffered myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, by god's grace, received triple bypass surgery after a number of defibrillator hits by a number of emergency persons to restart my heart long enough get me to hospital. Client was informed of the situation and asked for a refund by wire transfer. That is fair and reasonable request with the one exception that my wife was my only care taker after bypass surgery and she was told to stay by my side for some weeks afterward. My bank requires in-person wire transfer initiation. Our only immediate option was to send client a check with our apologies. I actually found this client's account of our situation on another diamond / bridal enthusiast network. Client was understanding, gracious and kind. No s#it show.

Speaking as one who actually did die for the cause, a little compassion goes a long way.

 

[bludiva]

@Texas Leaguer being the consummate professional, handles these cases *publicly* here. Could this be why certain posters feel they will get their issue fast tracked?

i think there is that and my guess is pricescope is where a lot of people find out about whiteflash so it's their first stop when something goes wrong.

 

[Bonfire]

Wow @MWM Thankfully you had good emergency medical care and successful CABG. That’s enough if a s#it show!

 

[MissGotRocks]

A ‘nightmare’ scenario to me would be either not getting my money back or having serious doubts about it not being refunded.
I think everyone understands the frustration of having to wait but in the world of money this is the way it goes. I just think the wording and the reaction was a bit over the top for the situation. If I were a seller, I wouldn’t want to be described this way in those given circumstances.
I hope the OP finds the diamond and ring of her dreams!

 

[Lookinagain]

A ‘nightmare’ scenario to me would be either not getting my money back or having serious doubts about it not being refunded.
I think everyone understands the frustration of having to wait but in the world of money this is the way it goes. I just think the wording and the reaction was a bit over the top for the situation. If I were a seller, I wouldn’t want to be described this way in those given circumstances.
I hope the OP finds the diamond and ring of her dreams!

frustrating, maybe, but agree, not nightmarish.

 

[RayRay]

Everyone’s perspective and frame of reference is different, based on their experiences in life. Everyone’s definition of a nightmare is different. It should be OK for someone to post their experience no matter how others perceive it…that’s what makes this forum great. If folks can’t do that, then what’s the purpose of PS?

 

[oncrutchesrightnow]

@MWM we hereby award you the jeweler Metal of Honor.

 

[gm89uk]

Not a nightmare, just an inconvenience. I can think of many worse refund stories that are much more deserving of 'nightmare' status.

 

[Jacquiemalta]

I am confused by the amount of posts like this lately- calling out a specific vendor when things don't go exactly as planned like the forum will be able to do something?

I understand how frustrating it must be not to have your money credited back when you expected, but calling them out on pricescope for one situation just seems unnecessary. This isn't 100% aimed at your post, I've just seen more of them than usual and always wonder what the end game is when someone posts something like this?

I think it's a good thing. We're all capable of telling when it's the customer being the difficult one but if a company's service or product has gone downhill, we should all know especially on a site that recommends them so much.

 

[oncrutchesrightnow]

The Internet has evolved to a point where we all need to use critical thinking in everything we read.