Zales Diamond Store, Zales Jewelers, Zales Corp., Zales Colleen Cost - store manager, Bob Shine - regional manager. They took my ring without my permission and DESPITE my refusals and sent it to their jeweler! That's THEFT of my personal property!! I've been talking to the police now!!! Bloomington, Indiana

The regional manager Bob Shine had taken the ring without my permission, stole the stone out of it, and put in a piece of glass. What's more it looks like the ring had been in a chop shop. I say that because it looks like the the ring was in the process of being disguised. Bob had removed the detailing of the milgrain on the ring, disfigured the prongs, and the piece of glass he put in place of the original stone was larger, and a totally different color. It looked like a different ring when I got it back. There was no reason why they needed to remove the milgrain - but you know I've found complaints from former Zales managers on other complaints boards that Zales routinely will disfigure a ring and sell it as new to another customer somewhere else. That's why I called the police when they started their funny business with my ring. I'm certain that if I'd not threatened them with calling the police and reporting it stolen - I'd not have my ring back to this day. 

I went ahead and repurchased the exact ring from the original jeweler ( did not buy either ring at Zales ) that I bought it from to begin with. I already knew Zales wasn't going to try to do anything to make it right. So I've got the exact copy of the ring which I paid for out of my own pocket - which Zales refused to do - although their contract says they will do so and I have the ring they ruined along with all the paperwork - initialed by the manager too :o). I show it to everyone I come into contact with so that they can see the before and after of what happened to it.

I never once gave Zales the option or permission to do any repairs to the ring for the above reasons. I insisted they replace the ring entirely and told them where to buy the ring, how much it cost etc ... They decided to steal the ring and do the ol' chop shop thing.

Zales decided they could afford to steal from me, and lie to me for some odd reason. I guess they figure it won't catch up with them. They made their choices and I guess they thought this complaint would be worth it? 

I am familiar with the jewelry store of which you speak - now that I understand the risk of doing business with Zales and stores of their kind - I'll be doing more business with the jewelry store of which you are speaking of. That jewelry store is pretty much famous in this community for honesty, integrity, and quality. I and my family have done business with them over the years, and so I can say that their sterling reputation is understated.

Here's something I've not mentioned - During the time I had all this trouble with Zales regarding my engagement ring - I sold my car, and I had planned to give all of that money to the local humane society. I already knew that Zales would refuse to come through and meet the obligations of their contract. I was torn. My ring was not the run of the mill engagement ring, and it was from a man unlike any other on this Earth. Everyone cherishes their engagement ring and their mate - but the story of our relationship is extraordinary and I could not let the situation with my ring remain as Zales had left it. In the end, this dilemma was not resolved at my expense, but at the expense of the local humane society, unbeknownst to the humane society. Though the local humane society has never been made aware of the gift of money I had intended for them, it just goes to show you how dishonest people can make such a negative impact on our local communities.