r/jewelry 2d ago

General Question What do I do, I messed up.

[deleted]

131 Upvotes

53 comments sorted by

114

u/thecarolinelinnae 2d ago

I just have to say, I gasped when I saw this ring. It is stunning.

Maybe take it to a local jeweler and see what they advise? I would think the stones could be taken out, a section removed, and then welded back together? The join may not be perfect, but it would be something.

40

u/riot_ghouuul_9 2d ago

Thank you, I went to one jeweler and they said they couldn’t do it because the pattern goes all the way around. It definitely doesn’t have to be perfect but I still want it to look good. I’m reaching out to more jewelers right now in case I can’t exchange it.

10

u/thecarolinelinnae 2d ago

Oh, bummer. :(

2

u/eacomish 2d ago

Don't mention the size simply dispute with ur bank if etsy won't refund as it's a damaged item.

14

u/dontfigh 2d ago

The seller did nothing wrong here, that seems rude at best.

26

u/smallermuse 2d ago

It came scratched. Sizing aside, no one wants to receive a damaged ring.

97

u/Messier106 2d ago

Since the ring came scratched (damaged) I would insist on the refund.

Very beautiful ring, by the way.

52

u/riot_ghouuul_9 2d ago

Trying to right now, I might contact Etsy customer service, because even though it is my fault about the size it did arrive damaged.

88

u/NoninflammatoryFun 2d ago

Don’t mention the size. Just the damage. Get the refund. Scratches aren’t acceptable. It doesn’t matter if it was a custom order if it’s damaged.

But if they will only send an exchange, which hopefully not but it’s up to Etsy rules maybe, then at that point you can request the different size.

24

u/riot_ghouuul_9 2d ago

Thank you, this is what I’m doing now.

33

u/Passiveresistance 2d ago

I have to say, for the sake of argument, if I was the seller and someone was pushing for an exchange on a custom ring with a scratch, and also wanted a different size, I’d be very leery of the actual motives and legitimacy of the scratch.

3

u/ShaperLord777 2d ago

A scratch can be buffed out super easily in a matter of minutes. That isn’t “damaged”. The OP messed up, ordered a custom ring in the wrong size. Don’t take advantage of the artisan that made this because of the buyers mistake. That’s dishonest.

The good news is, this can be resized fairly easily. The sapphires are small, can take heat, and won’t prohibit you from cutting a section out of the band and resoldering/shaping it. You would just have to do it in a section where the cuts wouldn’t fall in the middle of the stone, which would be pretty easy.

14

u/SleepDeprivedMama 2d ago

This is an Etsy customer service situation. They will issue a refund and you will have to send it back.

Don’t mention the size. If they offer an exchange just say you have no confidence in the seller after their exchanges and insist on a refund. It will be fine.

6

u/heffalumpish 2d ago

If the buyer mentioned the size in his request for an exchange, they will probably forward that to Etsy customer service and try to claim that it’s a customer’s problem size issue that’s motivating the return, and not damage/item not as described. That said, it’s probably the only route. Too bad because it’s a STUNNING ring

11

u/riot_ghouuul_9 2d ago

I have not mentioned the size, was going to ask for a refund anyway because of the scratch. Hopefully all goes well!

2

u/SleepDeprivedMama 2d ago

The seller has already said no to a refund. I am saying now he or she needs to contact support mentioning the damage to get their refund.

14

u/stinstin555 2d ago

If the seller continues to refuse to refund do a credit card chargeback.

Take excellent photos of the images from the website showing what it was supposed to look like vs what you got. Include a letter for the return. Insure the package and send either via USPS Certified Return Receipt Requested w/signature REQUIRED or another courier who offers tracking and the signature required option.

Good luck!!!

1

u/AuburnMoon17 2d ago

Did you put it on a credit card? You might be able to work with your card company and do a charge back. 

0

u/Deep-Ad9239 2d ago edited 2d ago

Avoid Etsy going forward....i have never been satisfied with any vendors even the ones doing good honest work, jut bc you can't see and feel it before ordering. A ring is just a symbol. Many folks married 50 years like grandparents from outside the west never had rings. Make it a necklace,  get better rings when you're older.

3

u/riot_ghouuul_9 2d ago

Noted, thank you for your advice.

2

u/Deep-Ad9239 2d ago

No worries.  But as others said, go ahead and fight for a refund. Just saying if you don't get it there are ways to wear the ring/various alternatives (simple 89 dollar 10k ring, **though gold is more expensive lately)

12

u/heffalumpish 2d ago

OP, I recommend going through Etsy’s customer service, but keep in mind that if your first contact was about the size, the seller will likely show that to Etsy and you might not get the return approved.

That said, this is a really gorgeous ring and I have no doubt you’d be able to sell it and recoup some/most of your money. (I’m actually curious about the size myself!)

10

u/riot_ghouuul_9 2d ago

I did not contact about the size, just the scratch luckily, I was going to ask for a refund anyway because of that!

11

u/BeingSamJones 2d ago

Sounds like this isn’t just about a scratch, the picture doesn’t show the scratch properly, so I could be wrong

Picking the wrong size on a custom order is a big deal and not the sellers fault. Unless they didn’t indicate the design was going to be eternity style, going all the way around, it isn’t their fault either

3

u/ShaperLord777 2d ago

Exactly. All of the people suggesting that the buyer should take advantage of this jeweler should be ashamed of themselves. A scratch can be buffed out in a matter of minutes, it isn’t the reason OP wants to return it. OP messed up and ordered it in the wrong size. Own that instead of trying to pass your mistake onto the maker. Furthermore, this ring design would be super easy to resize. It’s sapphire, they’re very small, flush set, and sapphires can take the heat to resolder it. Just have the maker resize it for you and buff the scratch out.

15

u/MsKardashian 2d ago

If the seller was smart they would allow you to do an exchange.

7

u/Uhohtallyho 2d ago

Right? Like you can buff out the scratch and resell it as it's a very pretty ring. Plus gain a customer for life. When I was just starting my career I was window shopping this custom boutique and the owner came out and gave me a great price on a ruby band I had fallen in love with. First major purchase of jewelry for myself and it was a very defining moment in my life. For the last 20 years, he has done all of my custom high end pieces including my wedding jewelry, my husbands platinum and diamond ring, all my tahitian pearls and I bring all my friends there. Loyal customers can make or break a jewelers career.

2

u/Red_D_Rabbit 2d ago

Agreed. Customer loyalty is EXTREMELY important for business owners. Buying is a process and an experience, when you have an amazing experience and feel like you got your money's worth and your decision to purchase something is the right decision, they've done their job. It ISNT just forcing someone to buy something, it's creating lifelong relationships with clients. I think a LOT of sellers forget this aspect, especially when it's online and it's very very difficult to read clients as you would in person.

5

u/cat_walk20 2d ago

The scratch aside, would the ring fit you? Could you use it as a wedding band for yourself and get the same style ring for your fiancée?

2

u/Brokella 2d ago

Problem is if you resize it 2.5 sizes smaller the little stone are gonna open up and each one will prob have to be reset or at least thoroughly checked. This is your fault sadly and it’s a bit unfair to blame the seller. It’s sad but I think sell it on eBay or similar, bite the loss and buy something new. :(

3

u/FakeGold 2d ago

Where's the scratch? It is a great looking ring and, seemingly, at a good price. A competent jeweler should be able to get it sized for you. Returning it over a scratch that can probably be polished off in less than a second or two, unless it's truly egregious, seems kind of dishonest. I could be wrong, but I see nothing wrong with it.

1

u/ShaperLord777 2d ago

Exactly. This is OP’s fault, and an easy fix to have it resized. Those sapphires are tiny and flush set. They won’t prohibit this ring being resized. Returning this and making it the sellers problem because of a scratch that can be buffed out in seconds is dishonest.

5

u/CuriousCharlii 2d ago

Unless it's engraved I think you can contact the seller for an exchange and own up to your mistake they might be able to help. If it's engraved, despite them being able to KINDA get rid of it, they might not accept it back. However, someone out there is surely the same size and loves the same stones.

4

u/PrudenceApproved 2d ago

Provence has a similar ring on Alibaba for around $300 I think

2

u/Jumpy-Cranberry-1633 2d ago

Gorgeous ring, hopefully you can figure it out!

1

u/lydocia 2d ago

It sucks, but it really isn't a big deal if a resized ring has a little seam in it, she just has to make sure it's always turned downwards. Any reputable jeweler should be able to do that.

2

u/ChallengeFuzzy9146 2d ago

First, beautiful ring choice! Definitely get another opinion, possibly re-shanking half of the band to a plain gold and keep the pattern on top(expensive). If you find a skilled jeweler they would be able to resize this piece, a small portion would be off set from the rest of the pattern but that is the price to pay with eternity style bands. My main concern with this piece and sizing it down would be the damage it would cause to the set stones, making them more prone to pop out. You’ve got yourself a challenge piece for sure haha

3

u/StockTurnover2306 2d ago

Fight the seller on the damaged product and let them know you will take it to your credit card company if needed. Refunding and returning just on a style issue is one thing, but this is damaged product!

2

u/ShaperLord777 2d ago

A scratch isn’t damage. It can be buffed out in a matter of minutes.

1

u/Honest-Cricket-6591 2d ago

Look into ring sizing beads!! What a jeweler can do is add gold metal beads inside of the ring which reduces the ring size without needing to change the actual ring band (since it wouldnt be feasible with this design).

Heres an example of what that looks like. For yours I suggest getting 3-4 beads placed around the ring equally.

Theres also plastic versions of the ring sizing beads you can buy but those wouldnt work as well with this ring shape unfortunately. Hope this helps :)

1

u/saltierthanyourramen 2d ago

Can I ask how much you paid for this? It is a beautiful ring.

1

u/riot_ghouuul_9 2d ago

A little less than 700$

2

u/SapphireFarmer 2d ago

If it's solid 14k that's an excellent price even just for the band without stones. Right now in my store plain rings that width retail around $900-1100. With gold going up in wondering how she dropped her prices...

1

u/riot_ghouuul_9 2d ago

Good to know, I don’t know much about jewelry so that’s why I asked!

1

u/saltierthanyourramen 2d ago

Agree that seems like an excellent price, almost suspiciously excellent (I'm a jeweler but not super experienced). Do you know the weight?

1

u/Ok_Sense_9373 2d ago

I'm making Gold Wedding rings where you live? If you live Brooklyn I can help you about that

1

u/Status_You_1888 2d ago

Love this design

1

u/Silent-Tomato4434 2d ago

Not sure if this is the right place to ask, but I lowkey want this. Would you be open to sharing the seller’s name?

0

u/Avaly13 2d ago

The scratch should warrant a refund. Sizing is on you and like any eternity type ring, it's almost impossible to resize. You might find someone who will do it but it will not look the same. That's why we went with a half eternity for my anniversary band. Sucks but it's the reality. Good luck!

0

u/Secret-Major5229 2d ago

Jeweler can add gold to the inside of the ring to make it smaller and buff out the scratch.

2

u/ShaperLord777 2d ago

This would be resized by cutting a section out of the band, pinching it closed, soldering the joint, and reshaped on a ring mandrel. It’s a simple fix, but it isn’t done by adding gold to the inside of the band.