Faulty engagement ring from Ernest Jones

meer53

Chula1 wrote: »

Thank you for the replies, Im sure that Trading Standards meant IF the ring is faulty. I just cant get away from the fact that when purchasing an engagement ring, you expect it to last more than 2 years, especially since there are what seems like hundreds of forums dedicated to Ernest Jones engagement rings dropping to pieces! Surely they cant all be caused by the wearers??? Ive written to their head office and am trying to seek an independent assessment - nobody seems to want to commit to doing one for me

Hundreds of forums :eek: I've seen one post about a similar matter. Ernest Jones are a chain of shops, they're not known for their "high quality" jewellery, most of it is mass produced for them.

If you want to take this further with them, i think you'll need to get the report they're asking for.

mattyprice4004

The reason they're reluctant is that you have caused the damage.

They're not going to risk EJ coming down on them due to a dodgy report in your favour.

Chula1

Sorry but without seeing the ring I really dont see how you can say I have caused the damage??

Was simply asking for advice!

Chula1

Yes thats what im trying to do but I cant find an independent jeweller willing to carry out the assessment, which leaves it as their word against mine!

arcon5

What are your expectations with regards to this?

As you say in another thread:

Engagement ring purchased - August 2011
[snip]
Spoke to Trading standards, discussed the Sale of Goods act and that Ernest Jones have to either repair, replace or refund. I dont want a repair (it will probably happen again if the track record is anything to go by) I dont want it replaced (have been doing some reading on Ernest Jones and it appears many people are having the same issues with engagement rings so have completely lost trust) So I want a refund so that I can purchase a ring from a more reputable jewellers

But under SoGA they can reject your request if the cost is disproportionate to another remedy. Basically they can choose the remedy, usually repair. But they can offer a refund less a reasonable amount representing the use (2years nearly).

Also note, the burden of proof is on you to prove the item is in fact faulty. So if they are not forthcoming you would need to obtain an independent assessment anyway - and this assessment would need to go further than just stating the faults, but also offering a professional opinion that it was not caused by misuse and such.

Also to refer to this point

I just cant get away from the fact that when purchasing an engagement ring, you expect it to last more than 2 years, especially since there are what seems like hundreds of forums dedicated to Ernest Jones engagement rings dropping to pieces!

This could also factor in. If their products are not designed with the same longevity as other brands then they may argue it has in fact lasted a reasonable time or at least close to it. Could reduce any level of refund.

meer53

Chula1 wrote: »

Yes thats what im trying to do but I cant find an independent jeweller willing to carry out the assessment, which leaves it as their word against mine!

They probably feel that the problem was caused by wear and tear or how the ring has been worn which is why they're not wanting to do a report for you. Have you asked them why ?

Most rings with claw settings do last for years, why do you think yours hasn't ? If the same thing has happened twice, it doesn't sound like a fault to me.

Chula1

Because I believe an engagement ring should last longer than 20 months. If I had smashed the ring against something, or had an accident with it, ok maybe a claw would have broken. But for it to happen again to totally different areas of the ring, surely it must be a design fault? Surely the claws have not been made strongly enough? I am not a manual worker, I dont wash up, all I have done is wear the ring, which forgive me if Im wrong, isnt that the purpose of a ring?? My mom has had her engagement ring for 30 years and not once had any of these problems. Where is the reasonable amount of time, or fit for purpose clauses that the Sale of Goods Act tells me to expect? This is not what I dreamt my engagement ring to turn out like :-(

Chula1

I have now managed to find an independent assessor who I am seeing Monday evening. He is going to look at the ring and produce a report.

Under the Sale of Goods Act, it states:
"Goods should be of satisfactory quality - last for the time you would expect and be free of any defects" - I would expect an engagement ring to last much longer than 20 months

"fit for purpose – fit for the use described and any specific use you made clear to the trader" The purpose of a ring is to wear it! I am not a manual worker, nor have I aggressively knocked or smashed it against something to cause 3 claws to completely snap off.

Therefore I cant help but feel that perhaps the design of the claws is not as effective as it should be? Im pretty certain that most people do not leave their engagement ring sitting in the ring box and only wear it on special occasions? A ring should be able to withstand wear and tear, well past 20 months, shouldnt it?

arcon5

Can we merge the 2 threads mods?

arcon5

How much was the ring?