Very expensive items, average customer service (Goldsmiths)

Member Name: carlz2001uk

Product:	Goldsmiths
Date:	13/11/09 (69 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Gorgeous items

Disadvantages: Prices

After my husband proposed to me 5 years ago, we decided to choose an engagement ring together as I am what you may call fussy! Off we toddled into Leeds with a budget of £500, only to toddle back from Leeds with a £1000 platinum engagement ring from Goldsmiths. I hadn't planned on buying a platinum ring, however, after I was told of the difference between white gold and platinum by the saleswoman, I would be a fool to buy white gold, right?! You decide! (Sucker! I can hear you call!).

So, fast forward to the preparations to the wedding a year later, when we have a child on the way, and obviously more important things to consider financially than a platinum wedding band. So, off we toddle again to buy a wedding band, only to our horror to discover that platinum bands cost around £1,500! The saleslady of course did not point this fact out to us, and we didn't think ahead. So (violins please), I went without a wedding ring! Now, I have been married four years next Wednesday and after spending four years too many without a wedding ring, I decided enough was enough and bought a wedding ring! Hurrah! We went back to the Goldsmiths store we had originally purchased my engagement ring from about four weeks ago and chose a beautiful wedding band with diamonds in for the wonderful price tag of £1,000 (a snip I hear you cry!). The only problem was, I was told my fingers were so tiny, that they didn't stock the ring in my particular size and it would have to be manufactured especially for me with a wait time of four weeks. I wasn't too impressed, but this was not the fault of Goldsmiths. We paid an initial deposit of 20% and told we would be contacted when the ring came in. The service we received in store was good, but it could have been better given the amount we had just handed over. I was called by the same saleslady this week and told my ring had arrived and could collect it when it was convenient. I collected my ring this morning, and was more than happy with the ring, which fit beautifully, however, the box they gave me the ring in, looked liked something out of a lucky bag! So cheap and nasty, given the amount we had forked out, I would expect to have been given a nicer box. It sounds silly as I write this, but it's the little things that make the big impressions to me.

Goldsmiths are located all over the country, and are known for being the more upmarket jewellers with the more expensive prices. Rings will set you back on average £500+, while watches ranging from Gucci to Tag could set you back anywhere up to £5,000. Last Christmas I bought my husband a D & G watch from here, but I had saved up my Tesco Clubcard points all year, and had £200 worth of vouchers, although I don't think the salesman was too impressed when I paid with them, but they shouldn't accept them if it's a problem!

Overall I would say the customer service is ok, I think for the prices they are asking they could do with perhaps offering champagne, etc when choosing engagement rings and wedding rings, but maybe that's just wishful thinking! I do like the whole white gloved hand when they hold the jewellery - it makes me feel posh!

Shop here for a special occasion, but for everday jewellery find a cheaper alternative or save your Tesco points!!

Summary: 3 stars