K. P.
Yelp
I purchased a mid-century jewelry item from this online store--a piece I had always dreamed of owning. Before completing the sale, I raised concerns with Elizabeth, the sales associate, based on the item's photographs. I identified several issues, including worn holding loops, extensive staining on the back, and a lack of movement in the pendant--a feature clearly designed to function. I specifically requested that the item be cleaned and thoroughly inspected prior to shipping. Elizabeth assured me that their jeweler would recheck the item before shipping but did not address my concerns.
The item was ultimately described and sold as being in "very good condition" according to their point-of-sale documentation.
However, upon arrival, the jewelry broke the moment I removed it from the box--hardly the hallmark of a piece in "very good condition." Alarmed, I consulted two local jewelers to explore repair options. Both confirmed that the piece had been previously repaired using tin. Tin complicates further repairs, make all consequent repairs prone to a new fracture, spreads uncontrollably, and permanently stains gold. The jewelers also identified other undisclosed issues: chipped stones, a broken prong, worn loops, and a soldered pendant that could no longer move as designed. The complexity of any future restoration left me questioning whether the item's condition had been intentionally misrepresented.
When I brought these findings to the store's attention, I detailed the discrepancies between the described and actual condition of the item, the hidden defects, and the significant challenges and costs of potential repairs. Instead of addressing these concerns with professionalism, the sales manager, Edward, was dismissive and defensive even resorting to questioning my character. While the store did offer to provide a return label and evaluate the item Edward's attitude and tone left me deeply unsettled, particularly when I brought up the store's guarantee. He was unable to explain the warranty in detail and instead referred me to the website, which only mentions guarantees in vague and ambiguous terms that cannot be considered a legal document or a clear statement of policy. The tone of the communication with him implied that any decisions would be made unilaterally, without consideration for my concerns as the customer. This lack of transparency, coupled with Edward's irritability only deepened my mistrust to proceed.
This experience left me with the impression that the store prioritizes making a sale over ensuring transparency and honesty about the true condition of the items they sell. The idea of reselling antique jewelry is a wonderful one but its success hinges on the seller maintaining customer trust by providing accurate, complete information and pricing items appropriately based on their condition. Regrettably, this store failed to meet that standard, leaving me with a beautiful yet damaged item requiring costly restoration, a frustrating experience, and no confidence in their business practices.
