Lab-diamonds.com Nexstep False advertisement, Scam, Liars. Port Washington Wisconsin

My fiance and I decided we wanted to go the route of a diamond simulant or the like.  We noticed lab-diamonds.com/labdiamondsdirect had some nice options for rings and also included a promotional code since it was around Valentine's day.  We went ahead and called to ask questions about the rings and stones they had to offer.  

When we called we spoke with a man named "Lee".  He claimed to be one of the lead jewelers and he assisted us with the questions and concerns.  He stated that all their diamonds were not CZ's and that they were a lab created stone with a 98% carbon bond similar to a natural diamond.  They rated them a 9.5 on the Moh scale for hardness, they sell 30-50 rings DAILY and all these other nonsensical things we should have caught on to.  

We ended up purchasing a ring for $1200 and it was supposed to be a round center stone with a cushion halo.  We did not customize the ring other than them allowing us to choose the type of cut for the setting.  Lee prmoised to have the ring delivered by Valentines Day since we made the puchase on the 25th of January.  The sites states free, insured, 2 day Fedex shipping yest we received our ring 4 days later than promised via USPS.  This was my first major concern.  

Still excited about the ring I open the package with very high hopes that its going to be as spectacular as Lee and his website claimed.  I open the box to find a large piece of plastic for the packaging protection and two smaller boxes inside.  One had a "free gift" and they were "diamond" stud earrings and the other had the engagement ring.  When I first opened the ring box and saw the ring I was taken back.  Not by the beauty or scintillation, but by the fact that I had known I had been scammed.  The ring was completely different from even the picture described on the website.  It was a square cut in a square halo.  It looked like a piece of glass, without hardly any sparkle.  I literally had to go out into the sun to see if it would sparkle at all!  It was just completely wrong.  

So being that it was delivered late, from USPS and not Fedex like promised AND it was the completely wrong ring who's diamond looked like a piece of glass.  I decided to call Lab DIamonds again to request a refund.  I called the 1-800 number and sure enough Lee answered.  I came to realize he was the only person who answers the phone soon after this call, probably because he's the only one working there.  

I stated it was the wrong ring and he offered a replacement.  I said no and that I would just like a refund.  He looked up my order and gave me a return number and said I was responsible for paying the return shipment fee, which was fine.  He said I would be credited 2-3 days after they recieve the package.

The shipment was delivered the following Thursday and I waited until next Thursday just to be safe for the funds and I had nothing back.  I called them again and Lee answers and says he, or anyone at lab-diamonds recieved the package and that they know the UPS people very well.  He suggested I file a claim with UPS which I did.  

UPS completed their investigation and called me back with the details of what they found.  They declined it due to the driver going back to the address the package was left (which was a residence) and confirming it was the correct place.  The agent I spoke with also guided me to google maps to confirm that Lee's "warehouse" was in fact just a plain old house.  

I spoked with Lee and he said that I needed to speak with UPS on the matter to get a refund since nobody signed for the package.  After days of him blowing smoke up my *** I finally told him I was just going to file this as fraud with my bank and report him to the BBB.  He quickly changed his attitude and said he would call me tomorrow with the credit to my account since their accounting department had left for the day.

 Never heard from him again and so I called at 6 PM his time and Lee answered once again.  He said that they had sent me an email with the receipt of my refund.  I never got anything.  He said he would have someone from the accounting department call me in 5 minutes with the details.  I recieve a call from a wisconsin number and the man claims his name is Jerry.  Its clearly Lee trying to disguise his voice and he states that he is issuing the refund right now and will send me a confirmation number.  

 I got the e-mail with really nothing stating when I should expect the money or anything.  I wait the suggested 3 days and still nothing.  I call again and Lee answers saying they sent the refund.  Its been withdrawn from their account so call my bank.  I do that and they have nothing.  I call Lab diamonds again, Lee of course answers to say they will send over the transaction ID to look for. 

I finally get an e-mail with a paypal transaction ID.  I call paypal to verify it and they said it was issued that day about 15 minutes ago.  

 Sorry for the long story but don't buy from these people.  Scam all around.