Jewelry Blog

It’s truly sad when you read stories like the following, but, unfortunately it’s a cruel fact of life. I’ll link the story first…

Couple May lose Ring

Having been in the same position as the jeweler in the past, I do understand the situation. Holding jewelry “hostage” so that you can pay your bills, feed your family. Very sad, but reality. No, it is certainly not the couple’s fault nor (I hope) should they have to “pay” for the financial problems/indiscretions of others involved but unfortunately they are involved.

I’ve been in that position before as a jeweler and business owner. The position of contracted client not paying their bills/invoices and as a last resort you’re left to hold what you have “hostage” in an effort to try and recoup part of what you’ve already invested. Sad, but true.

Whitehall has NEVER been timely about paying their contracted jewelers. I reiterate NEVER… at least for 20 years. They paid on their time “schedule”. Anyone from the company, anyone that’s left, even those prior, that wants to even try and refute my assertion, I have 20+ years of records that will demonstrate and prove you didn’t. My apologies for going off on a rant but this is a really sore subject for me.

What I hope will happen in regards to the story I linked above (legalities not included) is that jeweler at least try and reach out to the couple. Give them the opportunity to retrieve their memories from you. And, I will say the same to each and every other contracted jeweler in the same position. Take the opportunity (notwithstanding legal issues) to reach out and try to not only provide for your family, but to try and restore the symbolism and memories of those people who entrust the very things that signify that every day.

Dave 

Tags: consumer, jeweler, jewelry, Whitehall

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 19th, 2008 at 6:09 pm and is filed under Jewelry News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.