Zales

Since you are in Washington, is there a Shane Co near you? That's where my fi went, and they have been nothing but spectacular. If you have to leave Zales, I'd go there. Hands down I won't go anywhere else.

Thanks for everyone comments. I feel a little better knowing I not the only one (though I do wish I was the only one). I'm so sorry others have had troubles with zales and other places. I'm sure everyone understands that I just want to wear my ring and never take it off again.

@ Beth M.- I did not know about the 100 day return, we were never told about that. Otherwise, I think I might have returned it, since I've obly had my ring for 6 weeks.

I'm with Trena. I've been a customer of Shane Co for over 20 years and I won't go anywhere else either. Their prices are fair, they totally explain everything to you. You automatically get lifetime cleaning, sizing and repair on your rings, as long as you remember to take them and have them checked. They recommend every 6 months, but they are laxed about that. Our safe here at home is so filled with Shane appraisals it's kinda funny. We have one for my stone, my e-ring, my wedding bands, the stuff we just traded in - again the stone, the band. My daughter-in-laws stone, e-ring, her wedding band, a set of earrings. My mother's stone, her ring, a set of diamond earrings, a set of pearl earring - need I go on? We are definitely a Shane Co. family - Nothing but here.

You take your ring for service they will even plot your stone right in front of you so you know exactly what where are the inclusions are before leaving it, then verify it when you pick it up.

Both my rings are from zales. I didnt have any issues with them at all. Sorry all this BS is happening to you

We don't have one by us anymore, but they are a dying chain. Not many left.

That being said, my FH bought my engagement ring from a local jeweler that has been around since the late 1800's. My diamonds are some of the clearest I've ever seen and though it's a simple ring, I get many compliments on it.

I am very lucky. One of my fiancee's friends from school works at Kay's. She helped him design my ring and she is straight forward and goes out of her way to help us.

I had a necklace from zales and didn't have a good experience with them

I have had no problem with Zales. I do know that the store in my area has all the repairs done locally, except the Vera Wang collection. They have to send those rings out to get repaired.

I got my ring resized at the Silverdale, WA Zales and they were wonderful. Even had my ring back to me ahead of schedule right on Valentine's day. Been wearing it every day just dandy for over a year and a half now.

FW's 'promise' ring is from Zales (unfortunately, before I heard of BlueNile)...its gorgeous and no issues whatsoever. My first ring I purchased for myself back in 1982 is flawless after 30yrs.

We went with a diamond exchange and had them custom design my ring, I've had it for a year now and no problems. After reading these horror stories I am so glad we didn't go with a chain store. We shopped at them but they were all soooo pushy and kept trying to push us to open a credit card, we time and time again explained that we were from Europe and didn't want to/need to open a financed acct. It got to be ridiculous. Luckily we came across a great jewelry designer at the diamond exchange in San Diego and she was so wonderful to work with. She even added me on FB after and still messages me to check in on my ring. Everywhere I go people literally stop me and compliment me on my diamonds. We got way better quality diamonds for the price we would have paid in a retail chain.

Update: Again thanks to everyone who has replied. It's great to be able to "talk" to other brides about this stuff. My husband talked to Zales today, there's some good news and some bad news. The good news is that I did not cause the crack that appeared in my ring, so I feel better knowing it was nothing that I did accidently. Bad news is that after Zales having my for 5 weeks, almost the same amount of time that I had it, they said that they could not fix it because there is something wrong with the gold/medal. So, they gave us the choice to either get a new ring, or get a refund. With everything that has happened with the service there and now them having bad materials, we said refund, but we also asked for the warranty money that we had to pay before they would fix the ring, since they said it was my fault it cracked. We also asked for the $80 to have it sized and all taxes since it is within the 100 day return policy. I loved my ring and I am sad not to be able to have it, but I don't want to be dealing with Zales for the rest of my life. So, after reading others comments, we are going to try Shane company and a couple other places.

Wow, Tami? 1100 shipping and handling? Who the hell did they think they were fooling?

My rings came from Zales and we didn't have any issues.

I heard the coating on the white gold doesn't last very long because of the type they use. i don't care if its free for life - i don't want it to turn yellow ever few months. Might be okay but it just makes me nervous.

I won't ever buy from Zales again after they offered me an interest free offer (the only reason I originally got their credit card that is now gone) and when I received my first bill it had interest charges on it! I was livid and went into the store and was told "can't do anything about it now". I was so angry. The only reason I made the purchase was because I had that option and had planned out the payments and by the sales clerk making that mistake, it cost me a lot more than it should have.

My e-ring and wedding bands were purchased at Shane Co. We have had nothing but a positive experience. Each time I am in their store, I recognize the same sales associates, who are always professional and curteous.

I think this demonstrates the difference between going to a large chain vs a smaller, independent person with any purchase. It's like people that have major issues with David's Bridal. The sales associate's name isn't tied to the company, so there is much less accountability. FH and I went with an independent jeweler, and he has been wonderful. He is extremely patient with me, let me try on tons of bands until I found the right one, and always gives me little helpful hints about my ring (like making sure you put it on holding the sides so that you don't get the oils from your skin on your diamond). Our rings were actually priced better than the big chains, and the service is unmatched.

@Kimber- You are completely correct. This time we are going to be looking at H's father's jeweler, which is a smaller indepedent store. I like the easy access to the big chain jewelers, but I think it is better to support and buy from the independent places.

I'm sorry to hear all the stories. I came across this board because I have an appointment today at the Zales store in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. I had my engagement ring for a week when a stone popped out. My FH called and they said we could bring it to the store for repair if its within the 100 days. The fishy thing is the guy told my FH, that sometimes they don't do the repair for you if it's close to 100 days. Well what's the 100 days for then? We are about 80 some days in so we should be good. I took very detailed photos of my engagement ring today. I hope we have a good experience. I will make sure and post on this website and others if they give me a damaged ring, swith rings, give me a hard time, etc...here goes!