America's Value Channel Bait and Switch gemstones then won't refund money after item returned! Lawrenceville Georgia

Watching Channel 224 on Direct TV on 2/13/2008, I ordered a large Paraiba Tourmaline (4.77ct) and diamonds (1.90ct) ring,flawless at magnification x 100 for $3700.00, requested a free appraisal. Since I requested the appraisal, I was told the ring would arrive in 2 weeks. Four weeks later, no ring. I called, left message after message about the delay, requesting a return phone call. Finally, six weeks later I called and left a message on the customer service line, giving my name, my confirmation number and telling them I wanted to cancel the order, and asked for a return phone call to confirm. Of course no call ever came.

On 4/25/2008, 12 weeks later, a very large FedEx box (18x12x3)was delivered to me; inside was a tiny ring box, with a ring MADE like the one presented on TV, but definitely not the same flawless stone. This stone had several inclusions, visible to the naked eye, and arrived with NO appraisal! A statement accompanied the bill, showing where they had charged my credit card $3729.99! I began calling the customer service number to obtain an 'RMA' number, necessary to return an item, or they say they will refuse to accept, no one ever returned my call, after 14 attempts.

Finally, in frustration I called Visa, and they suggested I try once again to get an 'RMA' number, and leave a message saying that I had contacted Visa, and they advised me to send it back anyway, with or without an RMA #, and if it was refused, then I would have tried, and Visa would dispute the charge, and I'd have the ring too!! Amazingly, after I left THAT message, I got a return phone call in less than 10 minutes!

I requested a prepaid FedEx box, since I was told by the shipping dept. that that's how they usually handled returns. The shipping clerk is the one that furnished the 'good' telephone number for Ms. Walker.(This was not true, but since he'd said that, I decided to insist on it!) Finally, after 3 more phone calls, Ms. Walker had the shipping dept. send one to me.

They've had the ring in their possession for 2 months, and still they have not refunded my money.

J. d
Hoover, Alabama
U.S.A.