The Jewelry Exchange / Goldenwest Diamond review: Fraud 4

On a Saturday, in August 2010, my son and I went to Jewelry Exchange in Villa Park, Illinois, to buy an engagement ring. Lots of TV advertising, etc...looked good.

My son chose a a beautiful almost 1 carat round diamond and perfect setting, filled out the no interest financing, was accepted, signed the papers. They gave us a receipt, which I still have, stating every particular, and on the bottom it said, BALANCE DUE ZERO. The deal was done, drawer closed, nothing more owed. It was to be mounted and I was to pick it up for him on Tuesday the 24th.

On the following Monday evening, my son received a call from the store manager saying that there was an audit and a mistake was caught...he had to pay $600 MORE for that diamond, because the price on it was a mistake. They said it didn't matter if he had a signed receipt saying balance due zero, it simply wasn't going to happen, period.

My son was very upset, and asked me to go see what this was all about.

I went in the next Tuesday to get the ring, and was told by the store manager, that in no uncertain terms was that diamond being given to him, period. They offered me two different ones that were of poorer quality, which I viewed. She said this came directly from the national sales manager, as well as the Vice President (I had spoken to the National Sales manager the night before, and she promised she would look into it and call me back the next day, which she never did...go figure).

There was absolutely NO way I was allowed to have that diamond, it was their mistake admittedly, but they said there was no way they would allow it out of the store. They offered me a refund, but that would have just broke my son's heart more...he loved the ring.

Needless to say, I argued for some time, and it was clear that they now were ripping off my son, even though the deal was signed, the money was paid (no interest financing contract was completed) and the receipt sales zero balance due. I am under the impression that a receipt is a legal contract, and if I have one...which I still do...saying balance due zero, then that's it..it was his. I explained this to them, and they simply didn't care...it was too bad.

They thought otherwise and refused to honor the sale, and they told that to me and him both...we were out of luck.

This is like going to a real estate closing, and right before they give you the keys...after you sign all the papers and hand over the funds, as the seller is giving you the keys, they say "wait, I want five thousand more or I wont give you the house".

This HAS to be illegal, and they did not care obviously. I finally got them down to me paying $325 out of my own pocket (I did not want to ruin my son's plans) just to get that diamond for him.

I find it shocking in this day and age that a nationwide chain in this economy cares so little about it's customers, and tells them sorry...no deal, even though we have taken all of your money and the balance due is zero, we want more. I simply want my $325 back from them, and an apology for making what should be my son's best time a total nightmare.

DON'T SHOP THERE!