My then boyfriend went to JC Keepsake in the Fort collins mall in June and purchased an engagement band, he paid 1100.00 for the ring which included a lifetime warranty with the stipulation that i brought my ring in every 6 months to get cleaned.
I did my part and got it cleaned every 6 months for almost 3 years, where at that time around May we went back to the store to get the wedding band. It was at this time that we were informed that JC Keepsake was bought out by Brendan Diamonds. The employee there told us that my warranty was still valid.
We took my diamond out of my engagement band and placed into a new ring and again my husband paid for the warranty (since it was required in a new band.) I still kept up with my 6 month cleanings.
One year after we got married (and the new ring) my husband went in to Brendan Diamonds again and purchased an anniversary band that went with my set. Again, he purchased the warranty. After he gave me the ring, we took them in to have them all soldered together.
One and a half years later (i still kept up with my cleanings which I did every June and December) my solder broke and I had lost one diamond somewhere at work, this was in January. I took my ring to the store, and found out that Brendan Diamonds was no longer around, and the associate at the new jewelry store stated that they had gone out of business and my warranty (all 3 of them that was purchased) was not valid.
So, I go online and start researching, and come to find out, I am not the only customer this is affecting. There are numerous complaints, and some of them are stating that when they have gone to other jewelers, their diamonds are not what they were told they were. The clarity in the diamonds were lower and in one case even fake.
I walked around with a 3 band ring, where only 2 of the bands were still soldered and one ring was missing a diamond for approximately 6 months. Then one of the prongs on my main diamond bent, and now the diamond is loose. I cant wear my wedding ring now in fear that I will lose the main diamond that is still from the original engagement band.
I called another jeweler in my area and was told that he to had heard the same stories and had in fact helped numerous customers that were in the same boat as I, from the same company! He gave me two options. One: I take my wedding rings in, and pay to have them fixed, and more than likely keep paying to have the equipment that was more than likely faulty fixed over and over and over. Or, two: I go in and buy a brand new ring and possibly transfer my main diamond over (and it would be at this time he would be able to tell me if this diamond is real, and as clear as it was supposed to be) and purchasing this companies warranty.
I understand that businesses come and go, however, with as many people that have purchased this extended warranty but are left with a ring they can never get fixed, when in fact the equipment was most likely faulty to begin with is ridiculous. Something needs to be done to all of the customers that paid for this "Lifetime Warranty".
0 comments