Complaint Review: Helzberg Diamonds - Overland Park Kansas

On October 25th, 2008 Helzberg was having a jewelry show and I purchased a 2 K princess cut diamond for $10,000 and a mounting for $3,000. The next day we noticed a spot in the center of the diamond and returned to the store where they showed us 2 yellow diamonds that we could trade it for. My choice was clear with carbon in it or yellow with no flaws. I was told at the time of purchase I could upgrade at any time and receive full credit for the ring so we decided we would just upgrade next year once this ring was paid off.

90 days later the engagement ended and I went to sell the ring, assuming that I would receive about 1/2 of what I paid. To my surprise I was offer $1500 from the first Jeweler and $2500 from the second. The reason - they don't carry such low quality diamonds! I was embarrassed and humiliated that I had over paid by so much!

The next step was to call the store, that is where my sales person Mike told me that I would pay more for "Mall Quality" diamonds that from an individual jeweler. Boy that made me feel wonderful. He also stated that if I wanted to upgrade I would need to spend at least as much as I did before to receive my full credit. This was new information to me and I'll be darn if I am going to give you another $15,000 for a higher grade Mall Quality Diamond. I was told my best option was e-bay to sell the ring. Frankly if I thought an e-bay buyer wouldn't be as upset as I am I would try it, but could you imagine receiving a diamond ring in the mail and noticing the huge carbon deposit in the center like we did? I could not pass this one to someone else like that. He did give me the customer service phone number so I called them and spoke with a manager of customer service.

His solution was to have the jewelry store document the cut and clarity and write a letter to Helzberg. Has anyone tried to do this? No one wants to write a letter for a consumer that had obviously been ripped off! Two of the stores told me they would not get involved, however the 3rd one did I call him my new diamond guy for life! He frankly felt so bad for me, knowing what I paid, he wrote the letter and stated he could buy the same diamond for $1500 and would sell it in his store for less than $5000.

ith a whole lot of hope and a letter in hand I followed the Helzberg process and took the ring and all paperwork back to the store and they sent it off for their internal grading report and up through the customer service channels. So 3 weeks later guess what - I am sorry there is nothing we can do says store manager Anna! Come and pick up your worthless diamond ring!

I am writing this to protect the consumers of America and if through my efforts I protect just one consumer that walks away from this store I will be satisfied. I purchased the ring and with in 90 days discovered I bought a $1500 stone for $10,000. I believed all the hype about Warren buffet being an honest business man and that a consumer could believe in a company he owned. I am not a diamond guy but this is atrocious that a business can simple do this to the consumers. I hope several people read this and decide to purchase their jewelry elsewhere. Please for my own sanity let me know if I saved your money from Helzberg's.

Taken by helzberg

Overland Park, Kansas

U.S.A.