Caparo Jewelers

Scenario: **Previous customer **Families have known each other for decades **Knew I could do better on cost if I went down to 8th and Samson but gave Joe the business instead **Wife's engagement ring band needed to be changed **Joe is as nice as can be when making purchase of new band for ring. Don't worry, I will take care of you... **Band has price on it **Everyone knows that this price is negotiable at smaller, sole owner shops. Did not quibble on price at time of selection but made it known I was not expecting to pay that price once he set our existing center stone in the new band. Once again, don't worry, I will take care of you. **Fast forward, ring is ready. I get text of bill. $100.00 less than ticket. I called Joe. I ask "Is the the best you can do?" He starts his song and dance about his costs and labor. I then make an offer of $3800.00 all in. He comes back with why don't you just come in and take it for free, his gift to me.(WHO SAYS THIS TO A REPEAT CUSTOMER?) My response, c'mon Joe, don't be like that, I was expecting better than $100.00 and I do want to come back and buy from you again. He gives me the "WHATEVER". Noting that he was not happy with how this is going, I make another offer, $3,950.00, cash, so he does not get hit with the Credit Card company charges which are hefty in stores like his where the register is not ringing all day long. He agrees. **I go in the next day to pick up, Joe is not there. I count out my $3950.00 in cash get my merchandise, and ask for a receipt. I was told I do not get a receipt since I did not pay full price. I argued the point that I was not leaving without a receipt after laying out almost $3950.00 in cash. They get Joe on the phone. I said no receipt, then I pay with Credit Card. He said NO WAY. Back and forth, back and forth, JOE TAKES DEAL OFF TABLE AND DEMANDS FULL PAYMENT IN CASH. I said if I am paying the full nut, it goes on the card. HE DOES NOT NOT BACK DOWN, TOTALLY RENEGES ON THE WHOLE DEAL AND WILL NOT GIVE ME MY MERCHANDISE UNLESS FULL AMOUNT PAID IN CASH. ** I call police to try and get this straightened out. They come and to no avail. Joe says we can straighten this out in court. NOW HE IS HOLDING MY WIFE'S ENGAGEMENT RING HOSTAGE AND THE RANSOM IS CASH PAYMENT, NO CREDIT CARD. WHAT A HORRIBLE WAY TO TREAT A CUSTOMER WHO HAS BOUGHT THERE BEFORE AND INTENDED TO BUY THERE AGAIN. MY WIFE IS EXPECTING ME TO SHOW UP AT HOME TONIGHT WITH NEWLY SET ENGAGEMENT RING IN HAND, SO... I PAID THE BILL IN FULL, CASH. LESSON LEARNED... IF YOU DO BUY HERE, NEGOTIATE AND GET FINAL DEAL IN WRITING. DO NOT FALL FOR JOE'S SMILE AND CHARM. HIS WORD AND A HANDSHAKE ARE NOT WORTH ANYTHING. NOT ONLY HAS HE LOST MYSELF AND ANYONE WHO WILL LISTEN TO MY STORY AS A CUSTOMER: I AM HOPING ALL WHO READ THIS HEED MY WARNING AND DO NOT GIVE THIS SHOP ANY OF YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY AS A CUSTOMER, NEW OR REPEAT. The Sad part about the whole situation is the end result of the work done was second to none. The ring is absolutely amazing. To analogize my experience to eating at a restaurant... I would rather have a middle of the road meal with outstanding service and to be a valued customer than have the best meal ever prepared served to me in an arrogant, care less and take it or leave it manner. BE NICER TO YOUR CUSTOMERS JOE OR SOMEDAY YOU WILL BE THE ONLY PERSON WHO IS IN THE SHOP