Diamond Geezer - A strange tale......

HHarry
HHarry Posts: 973 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper
edited 4 December 2014 at 8:41PM in Praise, vent & warnings
Originally this was going to be a bit of a vent, and a warning against using Diamond Geezer (www.diamondgeezer.com) but after a strange turn of events, that doesn’t feel appropriate. I thought I’d share the story, so that others can make up their own mind.

In November 2013 my Wife purchased a ring from Diamond Geezer. In January, and then March 2014, a stone fell out. On each occasion the ring was returned and repaired with no charge.

In July a third stone fell out and my Wife returned the ring asking for a refund on the basis that 3 failures in 7 months wasn’t acceptable. Diamond Geezer refused to refund, but offered to repair the ring for £75.

Despite advising previously that the ring was suitable for everyday use, which was all the ring ever received, they now said that these failures were as a result of wear and tear. Replacing stones should be seen as a basic maintenance activity associated with owning a piece of jewellery.

Advice was taking from CAB and further correspondence was sent asking for a refund or replacement under the Sales of Goods Act. Eventually after submitting a claim through MCOL my Wife was offered a repair at no charge. Following further negotiations, using the British Jewellers Association, and at the time the case was transferred to our local court, my Wife was offered and accepted a full refurbishment of the ring at no charge.

The twist in the tale? After sending the ring back, Diamond Geezer decided that they would offer a replacement after all rather than trying to refurbish the original.

Diamond Geezer have probably fulfilled their legal obligations, but this ends up feeling like a lose-lose situation. It took four months, and the court fees, to achieve a resolution. My Wife has a ring that has lost some of its ‘specialness’ and won’t get worn often due to the risk of it getting damaged; and it has probably cost Diamond Geezer more to resolve the issue this way, than it would have if they had refunded as asked back in July.
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Comments

  • Shelldean
    Shelldean Posts: 2,416 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Companies aren't allowed to reply without permission from MSE.
    See this page and read the section titled companies posting on the forum.


    http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/site/forum-faqs




    We do not allow advertising of any type on the forum. This is against the forum rules (see Why was my post about my company/site/blog deleted?).

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  • keyser666
    keyser666 Posts: 2,140 Forumite
    Sure it says above HD
  • Diamond Geezer have sent us the following message in reply to this thread. Please note MSE does not endorse any posts from third parties.

    dfsd.jpg

    “It is a myth that jewellery is indestructible and the pictures clearly shows the knocks-and-bumps that this particular ring had suffered, but fear not it is simple enough to restore. We offered to completely remake this damaged £1,000 ring and asked for a contribution to the remake. That contribution was just £75, yes £75 to cover the cost of the broken stones, we proposed to gift all the labour in the spirit of goodwill. Be fair, the payment was for broken stones and it was the third time the ring had been returned the worse-for-wear and as pointed out we had refurbished it twice before without charge and were about to do it again for a third time.

    The client believed that we were in the wrong, that the request for £75 was exploitative and sort mediation from Trading Standards, The British Jewellers' Association and Small Claims. No judgements were made against us, why would they be? However because so much time was being wasted and in the pure spirit of commercial sanity we agreed to waive the £75 charge and re made the ring from scratch at no cost.”

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  • What metal is that made from? Did the OP's wife wear it for work? If so, what type of work? Or other activities? It looks like it has had a very hard life over a short period! Perhaps a full eternity doesn't fit with her lifestyle; they are not for everyone.
  • Ummm - I have worn a diamond ring for 40 years - gold ring and clasp and small diamond. I have another which is 3 massive diamond ring which was worn by my aunt for 50 years all the time through gardening, decorating, motorbike maintenance etc.(never taken off).


    Yes maybe you need to get such a constantly worn ring checked out once in a while but not after 7months.
  • LilElvis
    LilElvis Posts: 5,835 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    We only have the company's word for it that the ring they have shown is the one purchased by the OP.

    The name of the company would be enough to put me off!
  • MCGONIS
    MCGONIS Posts: 699 Forumite
    I am not sure as well. But see a Diamond Geezer, is that not a reference to EBENEEZER GOODE. A song by British group THE SHAMEN?
  • LilElvis wrote: »
    We only have the company's word for it that the ring they have shown is the one purchased by the OP.

    The name of the company would be enough to put me off!
    As much as we only have the OP's word that they looked after it
    Don't trust a forum for advice. Get proper paid advice. Any advice given should always be checked
  • Poppie68
    Poppie68 Posts: 4,881 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary Combo Breaker
    edited 6 January 2015 at 11:58PM
    The inside admittedly photo a little blurry but clear enough to see the ring looks pretty new so could very well be the ring in question.
  • hollydays
    hollydays Posts: 19,812 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 7 January 2015 at 9:13AM
    MCGONIS wrote: »
    I am not sure as well. But see a Diamond Geezer, is that not a reference to EBENEEZER GOODE. A song by British group THE SHAMEN?


    It's cockney and been around for years.
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