Ben Bridge Jewelers Refund Policies Valenca California

"If you don't know jewelry, know the jeweler." - Warren E. Buffett

On Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009, I bought two items at the Valencia store. They were a ring and a pendant. I paid CASH ($1015.83 with a $50 deposit on a credit card). They were to be a birthday present for our daughter on her birthday, February 12th. After inspecting them at home that night, my wife and I decided that we did not want the ring.

I went to the store this morning, Sunday, Feb. 8 right after the store opened to return the ring. I was told that I would not be able to get the full amount of my refund due to a "corporate policy" limiting cash refunds to a maximum of $200, with any remaining balance to be returned in the form of a corporate check from Seattle within 21 days. There was no notice posted in the store that stated this policy. I was NOT told when I handed the cash to the associate that refunds were handled in this manner. Had I known about this policy, I would have either used a credit card OR taken my business elsewhere.

After discussing this situation with my wife, we decided that we weren't sure about the other item, the pendant. We went to the store in the afternoon. We were again told about the policy (Teresa, the associate, couldn't show it to us on paper). If we wanted to return the pendant too, we would have to wait the 21 days for ANY of that money. WE PAID CASH. I understand holds on checks, returning credit transactions to the credit card, but CASH? She kept telling us the policy, not giving us any help with our problem. She claimed to realize the situation, but again, " Sorry, can't help".

In the Town Center Mall in Valencia, there are eight other jewelry stores. There are plenty of choices for jewelry, we didn't need to buy at the Ben Bridge store. It was our mistake to do so. It won't be made again.

You have the ring, I have $200 cash, and a promise of a check for $379.68 sometime in the next 21 days. How soon will that happen?

What this means is that we do NOT have our money. Our plans for our daughter's birthday have changed significantly. If we are lucky, we may see the refund in three weeks.

This entire episode is a scam. You have the money. Your policies should be available in the store. They SHOULD be posted. I posted a quote from Warren Buffett, your owner, at the beginning of this message. I didn't know my jeweler, either.

We would have been treated better at any of the three Walmart stores in the Valencia area. Their jewelry section has some good items. Next time, we will visit there first. Their return policy is clearly posted in the store, not hidden away in some folder or notebook, that can't be found.

We had the items for less than 24 hours. The associate tells us that the store does not keep money. I would bet that my $1000 was still in the store safe. This happened on a Saturday and Sunday.

We want our money returned NOW. Your corporate policy is absolutely wrong. CASH is CASH. I could possibly understand having to wait until the next business day, but 21 of them? UNACCEPTABLE

Bob
Valencia, California
U.S.A.