To demand a refund?

[BirthdayStress]

I bought a ring for 2.5 K at the weekend. I only wore it straight after buying it to get a coffee and then put it back in the box until last night. I looked at it with my phone light to look at the sparkles and I noticed it’s got a scratch on the band. I’ve emailed the company and they are basically saying that I must’ve done the damage and they can only offer a polish and the 18 carat gold is known to be fragile. I am saying that I would like a refund under the consumer rights act 2015 as I was made unaware that it was this fragile, although I’m pretty certain the damage was not done by me they are offering to polish et cetera but I am saying that if it is causes damage by this light use then I do not want the ring as I was made unaware that I wouldn’t be able to wear it for three hours or less without damage see photos they are claiming it was not damaged when it left the shop but surely it is my word against theirs and I myself did not notice the damage until actually my light on it. Does anyone here know that consumer rights please and could advise me on where I actually stand as obviously I don’t always trust AI thank you.

I would go back and talk to the jeweller about porosity and/or a manufacturing fault - I would hope they would be sympathetic - either with a refund, or to try proper polish etc
As its new and an engagement ring I wouldn’t expect less - eg offer of a new shank
Posters are saying they are a well known business so give them the chance to put it right
Totally agree it does not look like wear and tear after a short period of time
I I have many 18 and 22ct rings mainly antique - the oldest dates back over 300 years and they show less signs of wear!
Just a few examples

They can polish that out though.

I recently bought a ring from Effy. It has a mark on it.

I need to send it to NY to get it polished.

It happens, Im afraid.

But by all means speak to your cc company if you paid by cc. They will advice on what is feasible, however a refund is highly unlikely ime.

My wedding ring and engagement ring are both 18ct gold and don’t have damage on them like that. I’ve had them since 2007/2008.

Don't rely on gemini or chatgpt for identifying what caused the damage, whether there is a fault or not, it hasn't a clue.

That doesn't look like pitting (and unlike chatGPT i have made silver and gold rings and polished many many more) - it does look like someone wore it against another ring or picked up something abrasive whilst wearing it - 18K gold is VERY soft, it will be absolutely impossible to wear a ring like that and not get a single scratch on it, unless you also wear gloves over it the whole time.

I don't think you do have a right to a refund unless the item is faulty - and 18K gold being easily scratched is not a fault it is a known feature of the substance.

You bought it in person, you had the opportunity to examine it, and reject it at the time and you didn't. So the shop are offering a free polish to repair - if it DID turn out to be pitted, I would expect them to have it repaired properly (not particularly difficult but unless they're actually a jewellers who make stuff, vs reseller, they'll likely have to send it away)... at their cost of course. But no, I don't think they've any obligation to refund.

18K gold is VERY soft, it will be absolutely impossible to wear a ring like that and not get a single scratch on it, unless you also wear gloves over it the whole time.

That’s nonsense. My wedding ring hasn’t left my finger for 26 years. I’ve cleaned and gardened with it on without gloves and this is what it looks like. Not a mark in it.

Same.

My 18ct wedding ring warn daily since 1999 is nowhere near that bad

It absolutely is. Thats why it was so commonly used for teeth.

Im a jeweller and mostly work with 18ct gold and platinum.

Pure gold is soft, 24ct and 22ct are particularly soft but 18ct is pretty durable and doesnt generally get deep scratches from.every day wear. 9ct is harder wearing.

However we've seen very marked rings from customers who lift weights, or handling dog leads (both metal on metal scratching)

In terms of polishing. The process will be sanding with slightly abrasive sand paper, go over with smoother sandpaper. Then buff on a polishing wheel. That will definitely get rid of any scratches

I dont work in a shop or deal with sales however, so im sorry cant advise on chances of a refund.

You're completely wrong.

Consumer rights act 2015 is very very clear

• 30-Day Short-Term Right to Reject: You can return a damaged or faulty item within 30 days of receipt for a full refund, including original delivery costs.
• Online "Cooling-Off" Rights: For online orders, you have 14 days to cancel the order for any reason, plus another 14 days to send it back.
• No Return Fees for Faults: If the ring arrived damaged, the retailer cannot charge you a restocking fee and must cover or refund return postage costs.
• Retailer Responsibility: The seller cannot blame the courier or tell you to claim on postal insurance; the contract is with the seller

30-Day Short-Term Right to Reject: You can return a damaged or faulty item within 30 days of receipt for a full refund, including original delivery costs.

No, because the OP would have to show that they sold her damaged goods, which she will be unable to do. She examined it in the shop, tried it on, brought it home, kept it for three days, and then said "it was like that when I bought it". Good luck with that!

Are you the same poster who’s name changed?
Appears on your camera roll that you have been looking at a Rox diamond engagement ring before you took the damaged ring photo 🧐 Phillip Stoners is a reputable high end jewellers they will not have sold you a damaged ring and have offered to repair foc so not sure why you’d want a refund unless you’ve changed your mind…

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/5591240-which-engagement-ring-would-you-choose?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=app_share

They just have to repair it which they are offering to do.

Rights aren't the issue here. The issue is evidence. The ring was inspected by both parties when sold, a noticeable scratch was reported three days later, and the ring has been worn in the meantime. Unless there is evidence that the scratch existed at the point of sale, the retailer is entitled to treat it as post-sale damage. In those circumstances, a complimentary polish is probably the best outcome the OP can realistically expect.

For everyone saying “but my x year old ring isn’t scratched” have you taken a photo of it under bright light and high zoom??!!

Right! I can literally see damage on these ambient light pics being posted too 😁

Stick the flash on and get close up, they will be heavily marked. 18ct gold develops a patina which hides marks in time. OPs is brand new with a high polish.

Yes I agree with this and@byedriver Also most of the photos are of yellow 18ct gold rings. The OP’s ring is 18ct but it is white gold. I am very careful with my 18ct white gold rings but if I them examined closely or photographed them they are scratched. The scratches do merge into a sort of patina as @byedriver says. Maybe @Delgado is onto something😂.

After reading this thread I took a photo of my 20 year old platinum wedding ring. I didn't think it was scratched at all, but the photo shows it's really battered, scratched and pitted!

When the consumer inspects the item they buy prior to purchase, they cannot claim for any defect that was pointed out to them or that should have been revealed by a reasonable inspection unless the damage was hidden.

If, for example, the mark is only visible under bright light or is caused by a casting defect that would not have become apparent until the ring was worn, OP is entitled to a full refund. However, if the mark was there when the ring was purchased and should have been visible when OP inspected it, or if it is normal wear and tear for an 18ct gold ring, OP does not have a claim.

That's what I can see too 🤣

If you bought a car and it had scratches along the side after you driving it around, would you expect the car to be replaced or refunded? Of course you wouldn’t. I can accept it’s disappointing though.
Also, now you’ve publicly named the shop, who actually hasn’t done anything wrong, I’d be telling you to shove the ring where the sun doesn’t shine.

Exactly what I thought, but explained much better than I did!

You get ‘all your refunds this way’ 🤔
Unless you’re a very unlucky consumer, you sound like an absolute grifter using AI to try and extort companies who don’t have the capacity to fight your bullshit. If you felt so strongly you’d write it yourself. Shameful.

I've received the odd 'complaint' that is clearly written by AI - it's easy to spot and never gets the outcome demanded in it from me, and never gets a follow up from the customer either - it's quite evident when people are trying it on. Genuine issues get dealt with properly and responsibly.