Lengthy essay ahead. Long story short, they ended up refunding but left us with a traumatic and disappointing experience. Wasted our time (around 4 months exluding the time when we first started designing the ring back in January), our effort in a once in a life time engagement preparation 😭
We customised our engagement ring and wedding band with them after seeing so many 5 stars reviews, the diamond was ok, design simple yet ok, wedding band turned up acceptable, huge issue was on the ring setting of the engagement ring. We redo the setting not once, twice but 3 times still the issue can’t be resolved. (The diamond was a 0.70 carat F SI2 cut and polish is excellent while the symmetry is very good, GIA cert since April 2019 that cost $3600 together with ring setting it is $4380 in total).
The ring is a basic 4 claws classic slightly twisted 14K white gold. There was symmetry issue with the claws, which one side is slight higher than another. It can be clearly seen with our eyes, but they can’t see it, they said it’s perfect for them. If you as a jeweller has issue about jewelry symmetry, a huge question mark on your professionalism.
They said ring setting was done by subcontractors, then I would suggest you to change your partner, or ask them to improve their craftsmanship, but not expect your customer to accept that hand craft is “IMPERFECT”. I doubt that. (Do note that previously the ring band is not round as well after resizing, that have been resolved but not the symmetry issue)
The male boss is good he admitted the issue and promise to redo the setting, will “sit besides the craft man” and make sure everything is perfect for us.
My concern is about the lady name Vri and another is a caucasian lady. (Pardon us for naming her in such a way as we don’t have her name we only remember the 1st person that serve us which is Gladys however she don’t seem to be there after resizing the ring) After the second adjustment on ring setting and resize, Vri did not agree the setting was off and insisted that if we asked for redo there’s nothing much can be further done. I couldn’t accept then she only called boss in to deal with us. Red flag.
After the last adjustment, as we can still see the setting was odd, raising our concern, the Caucasian lady came to us and say “WHAT’S the issue now, can you explain? I believe this is the best we can do, I saw it perfectly. If you are unhappy, we can refund for you” yes this was her original line. Her tone of voice is very condescending. Instead of offering their apologies first that was their “direct reply” given to us.
She said it’s her culture to speak directly and did apologise after that. Sorry I see no culture should be this rude, she can’t even let us finish our lines when we were trying to explain to them what their eyes CANNOT SEE. Using the excuse “from where I coming from is to speak directly” is clearly not acceptable in the service line.
The issue we take here is their attitude and how they handle their customer in a situation that is caused by their shortfall. We truly believe one can be more tactful with theirs choice of words and attitude.
They have over promise and under delivered. (something which the male boss have promise that he would ensure it would be perfect this time round) If they couldn't do they should not have promise it and wasted each other time. If they were to put themselves in the customer perspective when your wedding is up soon and your ring is not even ready how would you feel.
PS: We have read your response and accepted your apologies, we wish your business all the best. We have edited Vri's name as well and offer our apologies on that as we miss her name out.
PPS: There is no personal privacy of mine being protected when you have decided to use my full name 👍