Buying Jewelry On Line
21 December 2009I have just experienced a situation where back in May I decided to buy my wife an anniversay present from Alle’ Fine Jewelry in St. Petersburg, Florida.
I had purchased items from them before and was very satisfied and all the transactions went without a hitch.
I cannot say the same for the purchase recently made.
It started when it was advertised that sales are sent out within 2 business days. I placed the order on April 24, 2009 to insure I would have it in time for our anniversary on May 4th. When May 2nd came along and I had not yet received the ring I had purchased I called the company and was told that the manufacturer of the ring was in a scaled back posture due to the economy and was only operating 4 days a week. At this point I discovered that Alle’ is a broker and does not actually manufacture jewelry. So now I was a victim of the economy, strike one. Also I missed giving the ring to my wife on our anniversary, stike two. Finally after 3 more days the ring showed up. Unlike past purchases, when we got the ring it was somewaht different in how it was in person. The photo seemed to represent it in a larger scale. My wife wasn’t thrilled with it at this point. this compounded by the late delivery presented me with the option of returning it for the ” No Questions 30 day Money Back Guarantee”; and here’s where the fun starts., and strike three I might add.
We packed the ring back in its original box, sent it back at our cost with appropriate insurance for its value as instructed and waited. After 1 week my wife called Alle’ to inquire to whether they had received it. They said they had and it would take two billing cycles on my Visa Card to see the credit. They made no mention to why and unfortunately my wife did not ask and assumed that this was normal as we have never had to do this before.
Time goes by and now it’s the end of July and still no refund showing on my account. I sent them no less than 4 e mails, with no response. I then contacted them by phone and was told that the credit would show up the first week in August, that comes and goes and still no credit. I place another phone call and am told this. PAY ATTENTION AS THIS IS THE KICKER. As this wasn’t explained at the time of the purchase nor was I advised that this was their policy. And if it was documented anywhere I wasn’t told this.
The representative told me that when jewelry is purchased and returned, as they are only the broker, they receieve it and process it for return to the manuafacturer, this takes time. Then the manuafacturer receives it and processes the item, which includes a through inspection to verify that the item is exactly as it was sent and no changes have been made such as 18ckt gold is switched with 14 ckt gold. the good quality diamonds are switched with inferior diamonds and so on. This also takes a lot of time.
Once all is determined to be valid the manufacturer then sends Alle’ an ok. They then credit Alle’ and Alle’ then credits me.
Well as it was established that I did not do any of the deceptive things as described and now that I have been cleared of any fradulant activities I am supposed to be credited., told to me by another representative of Alle’
I contacted Visa and was told by them that after Alle’ approves the credit it takes anywhere between 7 and 10 business days for the transaction to hit my account.
I expect that by Monday August 24th this will occur. If not I have a dispute filed with Visa about this entire matter. I am hoping that I will not need to exercise going further with this as it has been a real eye opener this far.
As I said, let this be a warning when buying jewelry. If you are not satisfied and have to return the item, be prepared for a long wait for your money. Unfortunately between the economy and the criminal population that has caused this type of scrutiny this is thw way it goes.
I can only state facts as they have applied to my situation and dealing with Alle’ Fine Jewelry. Just make sure you know all the conditions before you buy.
No comments yet
