Marina Diamonds Corp. Marina Diamonds FRAUD: Sold me a diamond ring with incorrect appraisal and will not refund despite promise during sale New York, New York

Update: Since the post below I have called back almost every week and every week a new excuse, stalling tactic, Marina not available, call back on Monday to speak to the owner who would be there from 2-5... So I called today and was blatantly lied to... You can make your own judgement but I will describe what happened:

First they wouldn't answer my call til I persistently called for 20 min, finally a woman answered said I have the wrong number at which point I asekd "isn't this 212-354-1236?" at which point she hung up in my face.  After that I keep calling for twenty more min and she answers:

Julie (that's what she said her name was): "this is not Marina Diamonds, this is a different store"
Me: what's it called?
Julie: 166
Me: Does it sell diamonds?
Julie: Yes
Me: So how come I call Marina Diamond Corp and another company picks up?
Julie: the number is forwarded here
Me: Ok - so what is your address?
Julie: I cannot give you that information
Me: What? You cannot give me your store address?

"Julie" hangs up at that point and doesn't answer when I keep trying to call back....

I call back an hour later and the saleswoman who sold it to me, also called Marina (?) - pictured here (http://ow.ly/a2iq4) - in the store itself.  She answers and, in an annoyed tone, informs me that "we are not lying" and that Marina (store owner, but not her) couldn't make it in today due to family illness... It is amazing how every week a new excuse comes up!  Last week it was that Marina (owner) was giving them a hard time with the return/refund, before that it was that Marina was on vacation and was going to be back shortly, before that it was a Jewish holiday so they were not working, before that it was "we will send it to you next week" before that it was we are short on cash so give us 2-3 weeks.

One of the worst things is that it really disillusions one about humanity, I tried to be patient and non-aggressive but at this point I will pursue every possible avenue to recoup my initial costs, in addition to all the time/money/effort I have spent!

PS - Also, in January after the Credit Card company reached out again, I receive an email stating: 

Hey how are you. I am sending you first check in the mail on Monday. And I would also like if you could remove that message on yielp an write something nice. Thanks marina

I guess Monday buys the weekend then we always start over as if its my first time calling!

Going on seven months now, ridiculous and most of all shameless in tainting what should be a pure and pleasant event in my life...!  The amount of time, effort and money I have wasted in getting a simple refund TWO DAYS after the purchase is unbelievable...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Original: I purchased a ring from here in October 2011 and have been trying to return it ever since.  I have contacted numerous times and been misled and told to call back in a day or two so she can "figure things out with her managers" (although initially Marina who sold me the ring said she owned the store).  Finally, get some response saying "give me a few weeks as cash is low in the store" (even though she said she sells over $50,000 worth per day during the initial sale).  

Finally, with my patience running out (and after calling the store ten times over three days to speak with Marina but to be constantly told that "she is not available or with a customer") I sent back the ring as she had alluded to before and apparently she rejected the shipment.

Moreover, the appraisal she gave me was clearly false as it stated the diamond was F color (when in reality it was I) and that the clarity was VS2 (when in reality it was I2).  

I have no way of reaching Marina and hopefully she responds to this in some way!  Otherwise, I do plan on taking legal action - but beware, this is a scamming store that lies, cheats and steals!

I will keep the people here posted of any change but, out of principle, I am going to fight to get the money back even if it requires court or other legal procedures.

Horrible experience in what is supposed to be a happy time!

PS - I have filed complaints with the NYC Department of Consumer affairs and Chase Credit Card services to resolve this.  Per the Department of COnsumer affairs guide:

"Every written appraisal must state  the standard of monetary value used  (e.g., retail replacement). Persons engaged in the sale or appraisal of jewelry may not misrepresent the nature of an article of jewelry and must disclose that jewelry appraisals may vary as much as 25%. For sales of more than $75, very detailed sales slips must be given."

PS - Ring was appraised for $9,600 dollars by seller and by third party for less than half of that!