Zales

Pros:  beautiful diamond, good price, exquisite setting

Cons:  upsetting experience, unethical, non-trained salespeople,

Full review
When my boyfriend (now fiancee) and I decided to go ring shopping - our first stop in the mall was Zales. Maybe it was because it was the closest store to us at the moment, or maybe because we had heard nice things about Zales. I don't quite remember - either way, it was the first place we went to.

Now we had never looked at diamonds before and knew absolutely nothing about them. The salesgirl was extremely helpful. We told her right off the bat that we were "dummys" on the subject and were only looking. She sat us down and pulled out the pyramid and explained the four C's to us. She allowed me to try on rings and explained their differences. One ring in particular I fell in love with. I had it on my hand and she pulled out the "card" on it. This card contained a photo and all of its specifications. Turns out this diamond was actually high quality and the price was fairly reasonable. My boyfriend and I exchanged glances, but wanted to check out other stores.

The other stores in the mall weren't nearly as friendly or helpful as they were in Zales. Most of them used a sales pitch on us and didn't explain a thing. And we didn't see a ring we like more than that first one.

About a month or so went by and on Tuesday, 2-22-2000, my boyfriend popped the question and put that first, beautiful and perfect ring on my finger. I was thrilled and so was he.

The ring was too big so I had to get it sized. I asked my fiance where the "card" on the ring was - or the Certification from the Gemology Institute. He didn't have it. We called the store and they said we could come in to pick it up and also drop off my ring to be sized.

We went to Zales and the store manager told us that my ring didn't have a card because it wasn't certified. When I asked why - I was told that it would cost them $250 a stone or, in my case, a total of $750. We explained to the manager that a card was read to us when we first picked the ring and then AGAIN when my fiancee went in to buy it. The manager told us that was impossible because there wasn't a "card" on my ring. Basically what had happened was that TWO salespeople on TWO separate occasions read us a card that wasn't for my ring!! And the appraiser wasn't going to be in the store until another three weeks - which puts us past our 30 day full refund date.

I talked to the manager the next day after we had some time to stew about this and he approximated what the specifications of my ring are. It is still a beautiful diamond - but not the quality that my fiancee thought it was or bought it as. I wouldn't think of returning it - as it's emotional and sentimental value is far too great - but the whole scenario makes me angry. We feel that Zales took advantage of us, played us for a fool and misrepresented themselves.

We going to get the ring appraised in a few weeks (free of charge - paid for by Zales) and we have a written extension of my 30 day refund. After the appraisal - I plan to take my ring elsewhere to get sized. I have written a letter of complaint to the corporate office and still remain an unsatisfied customer.

I don't understand how this could of happened and we feel that what was a beautiful, perfect thing (our engagement) is now tarnished a bit by this whole escapade. The diamond itself is not as important to me as the symbol it stands for - but we feel as if we were lied to and connived. So I warn you - be careful with Zales and always double-check yourself. Make sure your diamond is certified and that the card they are reading from matches the ring on your finger!!!