IM INFURIATED!!!

            I recently went to Zales to make the most important purchase of my life, my engagement ring. I had been warned against chain jewelry stores, but went against those sentiments solely based on the fact that I knew I would be moving to Boston in the spring and if anything were to happen to the piece, having purchased it from a national chain would be beneficial. I had a great salesman, Doug, who was sincere and a genuinely well demeanored person. He helped me select a diamond that was beautiful, to say the very least, and very reasonably priced. When it came time to look at settings, I was assured that the jeweler was one of the best around and could pretty much do anything, within reason of course. I came back a few days later to choose my setting. I found a very basic setting in one of their books, and like that, it was done. I told them I would be flying to Boston to propose, so I was on a strict 2 week time schedule. They assured me everything would be ok and I went on my way.

            I went back 5 days later (even though they assured me it would be done in 2) and the manager, Polly, showed me the ring. It was HORRIBLE!! The rock looked great but the setting was atrocious. 3 of the set stones were ridiculously discolored and the others looked as if they were too small, so they were "angled". Polly literally put her finger over the blunders and tried to convince me the ring was beautiful. I asked her to move her fingers and tell me if she sincerely felt the ring was "beautiful". She declined the latter.            "Ohh, ok, I have ring back by thurs".

            I BOARD A PLANE FRI @600AM!! GRRRR!!! Whatever. When I went back Thurs the ring was slightly better, but far from beautiful and I was not about to postpone my engagement b/c of Zales. So I left.

            After the proposal (she said yes, thank you), we began noticing flaw after flaw in this ring. It boiled my blood. We took it to a Zales in Boston and the manager there was floored at the complete lack of craftsmanship in this piece and was seemingly embarrassed to be associated with this other store. I had been trying to contact the Zales at Crabtree for sometime, and Polly wouldn't give me the GM's name or # (now I know why), but when the manager from the Boston store called, Crabtree was all about satisfying us, that lasted a day. We had the ring reset in Boston and the junk setting shipped back to Raleigh for the GM, Brad Sherman, to look over. Now goes the same ol, same ol. First off, they reimbursed my $ for the setting I bought at the Raleigh store, but the new setting was significantly more expensive. Brad said he wanted to make me happy, he said my satisfaction was his greatest priority and would be looking into this immediately upon arrival. Two weeks went by and I still hadn't heard from him, so I had to call him. On my 5th try I got him and he apologized for not getting back, he said that had oral surgery that week and I accepted his apology b/c I know how that is.

"I'm having a meeting tomorrow and I'll get back to you ASAP". Another 2 weeks passed. I called several times again, finally got him,

"Oh, I'm waiting to hear back from corporate, I'll have an answer within the next couple of days".

            Why do I continue to believe in the good nature of people and still think, as a consumer, or that a corporation like Zales would probably want to keep me happy?? I am a fool, is the answer that continues to pop up in my head.

            Its not about the money, it's about professionalism, respect and dignity. In my opinion, none of these qualities are characteristic of Brad Sherman and at least one of the stores he "manages". This is a slap in the face and they will continue to get away with this b/c im a measly consumer.

            I am highly respected in the community, for several reasons. I have gained the friendships of some of the most influential people in Raleigh. I am fair and very easy to get along with, and it is VERY RARE that I would put myself out publically to voice a complaint, but I am appalled at how this situation was dealt with and I will continue to vest countless hours and energy to spreading the word. I am also collecting complaints of others and will be opening a web site specifically geared towards Zales Crabtree that I will eventually craft to a consumer awareness site.

            All of that is neither here nor there. I thank those who took the time to read this, and I strongly STRONGLY suggest if you are thinking of investing in fine jewelry PLEASE think twice about giving your money to this Zales at Crabtree. My experience has shown, they will treat you well until you walk out the door.

-matt