To moan about Ernest Jones

[soldmysoultosanta]

A special birthday and our anniversary fall at the same time, DH took me out to get an eternity ring. A big and special present, also tying in with the birth of our first DD. Told we'd have it in four days later and they'd text us.

-4 days, no text, no ring at store
-4-7 days check each day
-8th day, ring, told yes ring is there (no text)
go to store, presented with a ring 6 sizes bigger and of a different style completely. Told replacement in in 2 days. They wouldn't have needed to even open the box to check as the delivery note stated what the box contained, size N yellow gold (forget style) as opposed to size I white gold eternity. Comparing it to the order would have saved a 30 mile round trip.
-2 days later, no call, ring, told yes it's definitely due in later today
-3 days on, no call (called so as not waste another journey), ring actually not there
.....(and repeat)
6 days later, no communication, ring, ring not in store and still with manufacturer with an unknown date of delivery.

So despite ordering 2 weeks ahead it won't be ready for anniversary. I'm getting tempted as it will miss the date anyway to request a refund and loo elsewhere because this ring is already symbolising a lot of stress and phone calls, not the excitement it started with as a real one off special treat. Even if they kept in touch I'd be less stressed, but I hate chasing and phoning. I'm not someone to have loads of jewellery and it was such a big deal to me.

But then I guess getting a refund will then be hell.

YANBU, that sounds incredibly lazy not to mention expensive for you in phone bills and journeys in.

It might be worth writing to one of the newspapers that runs a customer-advice column.

Just go somewhere else. What area are you in? Maybe someone can recommend a local independent who will give you a better price and service.

spoke to DH, we've agreed to cancel the order on the grounds that the ring won't be such a special memory when looked at. I'm due to give birth very soon so after birth we're going to make a nice day out choosing another. The ring is pretty but a very standard design.

It is an expensive waste of two 30 mile round trips of petrol (each time we only drove to go to the jewellers) and phone calls in the daytime.

I get the impression as it's not one of their higher priced rings but low-medium they don't see it the same as if it was a fancy one, regardless that to us a few hundred IS a lot.

we're in travelling distance of London within a reasonable time frame so are thinking after birth a trip to Hatton Garden would be special.

I think that sounds quite a good idea, honestly - as you say, you'd always remember it with irritation because they were so crap.

It's really rude (and daft) if they were being lazy because it wasn't their most expensive ring. They get their bread and butter from rings that are not the stand-out, 2k type, surely? So they should be polite.

Hope you enjoy having a look for another one.

Btw, a few years back I got a very nice half-eternity ring from an online shop called Ampalian, and it was cheaper than from real shops. It came with a certificate and everything (I know nothing about jewellery but it looks legit enough). Obviously having only bought one thing I can't exactly say I recommend it, but if Hatton Gardens doesn't come up with the goods it might be worth looking into online retailers too.

Yup, get yourself down to Hatton Garden and make time for lunch at the Bleeding Heart while you're in the area! Much nicer day out.

Your ring size may go down after the birth, so it makes sense to get your ring afterwards.

Congratulations, by the way.

agedknees, I've had hyperemesis (see it's fashionable now) so all my rings are loose. I just had it sized to match my wedding ring. Thanks for the congratulations, a 30th birthday, 5 yr anniversary and second child all together so life isn't too hard tbf

That's rubbish, how annoying! However, as agedknees says, you'd be best off waiting for quite a while after the birth before choosing an eternity ring - they can't be resized and, as far as I'm aware, your body won't have settled from pregnancy for a few months after you have finished breast-feeding (if you're planning to do that). It'd be a shame to have a lovely ring which doesn't fit 1 year into the future and can't be adjusted. In a way, EJ's uselessness may have worked in your favour...

(Sorry, I should have clarified - I know that my MIL's fingers changed size completely after she had children even though her weight went back to normal, so it's probably worth being cautious with a one-off purchase.)

I'm ok I think with size, not my first and in neither pregnancy have my fingers changed, or really anything with my body aside from stretch marks. I have silver rings from when I was 18 as I haven't really changed over the years in weight or shape. I'm of the swallowed a football look when pregnant.

You can have an eternity ring resized, it's just expensive because they have to re-set every stone Best to avoid having to resize, but it can be done (by a real jeweller, probably not by a high street retail store that doesn't have a fully functional workshop).

Well after that post, I've changed my mind, YABU!

lol LRD, didn't say it was a fantastic figure, just one that doesn't change! Whilst high fat diets and laziness don't change it I've also learnt that diets and gym do feck all to modify it and I could probably sustain a little pot belly through a famine.

A considerable little pot belly is very attractive, I'd say. That's what I always tell DH.

(Mine, not his, btw).

Anyway, come on, you're telling us all about this ring but not what it looks like? Myself, if I had the money I'd get something with very dark sapphires or with garnets as I love the colours. Did you choose yours for the colour or is it significant to you?

little pot bellies age well, at 18 it's a bit unlucky and dents confidence but by 30 and after children you're quite pleased with it.

It's just a thin half eternity with diamonds, my wedding and engagement rings are very thin (young and poor!) and the three together look nice as a chunkier set.

Maybe I should go for colour, always loved rubies and white gold

cool!

Oh, that sounds very stylish and the three together will look beautiful.

Rubies and white gold does sound lovely ... always another time, eh?

Oh, wow, that link! Very cool ... not sure I could pull it off!

very good price, what do you think? The other was a half

Very similar thing happened at Ernest jones when I was getting engaged DH had ordered my ring to pick up on Christmas Eve, they phone him a few days before to say the wrong size was ordered!! Manager was very apologetic and said they would give us the ring in platinum instead of white gold as an apology!!!

Yanbu. You'be done the right thing cancelling the order. I'm sure you
'll find another beautiful ring soon.