Beware of Fine Print-Guarateed Shop!

[Walterswife]

We recently purchased an item at a jewelry store which was a Ship's Recommended Store in Ensenada, Mexico. The purpose of purchasing through this program is that the cruiseline guarantees the purchase, or so they say prior to the purchase. We purchased a diamond ring and had it reappraised at home only to find out that it appraised for $600.00 lease than the price we paid. We contacted the cruise line within the thirty days.

 

Now the cruise line is making us get another appraisal and accusing us of having buyer's remoree. They are requiring an appraisal with an independent gemologist at our own expense and then say that after they receive it, they will go back to the retailer once again to see what they have to say about any discrepancy.

 

Anyone else have a similar problem or experience? If not, beware of promises made on the ship. Apparently the guarantee is worth absolutely NOTHING!

[nmcrzer]

Are we talking $600 on a $1,200 ring or $600 on a $10,000 ring? There is a big difference.

 

I'm not sure the cruiseline says that they guarantee that you didn't over pay. I thought the guarantee was for the price of an identical item found elsewhere. No two diamonds are identical. Also, on our cruise, they were very specific that they did not have gemologists on staff who could independently verify diamonds or any other gem. And the port shop specialists on the ship tell you about haggling with the people in the port stores. No offense, but perhaps you didn't haggle enough? That would cause me buyer's remorse.

 

Did you get an appraisal for resale or for insurance purposes? Resale appraisals are typically lower anyway. Insurance appraisals tend to be a bit more accurate. You might feel better having a certified, independent gemologist appraise it anyway. Keep in mind the price of diamonds and gold fluctuates, too.

[FL_Cruiser64]

We recently purchased an item at a jewelry store which was a Ship's Recommended Store in Ensenada, Mexico. The purpose of purchasing through this program is that the cruiseline guarantees the purchase, or so they say prior to the purchase. We purchased a diamond ring and had it reappraised at home only to find out that it appraised for $600.00 lease than the price we paid. We contacted the cruise line within the thirty days.

 

Now the cruise line is making us get another appraisal and accusing us of having buyer's remoree. They are requiring an appraisal with an independent gemologist at our own expense and then say that after they receive it, they will go back to the retailer once again to see what they have to say about any discrepancy.

 

Anyone else have a similar problem or experience? If not, beware of promises made on the ship. Apparently the guarantee is worth absolutely NOTHING!

 

a) how much did you pay for the ring?

b) of course the cruise line wants an independent appraiser. Why does that surprise you?

[Walterswife]

FL Cruiser and MMCRZER, thanks for your comments. Perhaps this additional information will help.

 

We paid $2200.00 for the ring. The original asking price was $3900.00. I think there is a big difference between $1600.00 and $2200.00. (Almost the cost of a 7 day cruise for one). :)

 

The appraisal that we obtained was for replacement value. I had never laid eyes on the people before--they were referred by our homeowner's insurance agent. The CL rejected them because they were jewelry wholesalers as well as appraisers. In checking, the fine print does say that the appraisal must be by someone who is not in the business of selling jewelry si I can understand why they didn't want to accept it.

 

We have found a gemologist in the city who will do an appraisal for $95.00. I just can't seem to get a straight answer about what will happen if the second appraisal matches the first one. I was always given the impression that the CL stood behind the purchase. Now it seems as if the CL is depending on the retailer to make things right. I feel like it's a case of "bait and switch."

 

DH loves the ring and would like to keep it. However, he doesn't want to pay more for it than it is worth. We initially offered to keep the ring if they gave us a $600.00 refund. The retailer rejected that offer.

 

Had we known it was going to be this much trouble, we would have stuck with the people that we know and trust and have dealt with in the past. We'll just have to wait and see how the second appraisal turns out.

 

Just a word to others--what you think you are being promised is not necessarily what you get!

[jessejamesb]

We purchased a $2,000 ring with the same 'guarantee' only to find out a few days later it had some imperfections.

 

If I found out it was only worth $1500 I don't think I would complain if I paid more than it was worth because we liked the ring.

 

If they claimed the ring was a better quality than what it actually was, then you have a genuine claim I would think. I guess that's why they want you to see a gemologist.

 

p.s - I did read the fine print and it did say if you have any problems you will need to see a qualified gemologist at your own cost. And it is the only way that they will know for sure, because someone at a jewelry store could say anything.

[jessejamesb]

FL Cruiser and MMCRZER, thanks for your comments. Perhaps this additional information will help.

 

We paid $2200.00 for the ring. The original asking price was $3900.00. I think there is a big difference between $1600.00 and $2200.00. (Almost the cost of a 7 day cruise for one). :)

 

The appraisal that we obtained was for replacement value. I had never laid eyes on the people before--they were referred by our homeowner's insurance agent. The CL rejected them because they were jewelry wholesalers as well as appraisers. In checking, the fine print does say that the appraisal must be by someone who is not in the business of selling jewelry si I can understand why they didn't want to accept it.

 

We have found a gemologist in the city who will do an appraisal for $95.00. I just can't seem to get a straight answer about what will happen if the second appraisal matches the first one. I was always given the impression that the CL stood behind the purchase. Now it seems as if the CL is depending on the retailer to make things right. I feel like it's a case of "bait and switch."

 

DH loves the ring and would like to keep it. However, he doesn't want to pay more for it than it is worth. We initially offered to keep the ring if they gave us a $600.00 refund. The retailer rejected that offer.

 

Had we known it was going to be this much trouble, we would have stuck with the people that we know and trust and have dealt with in the past. We'll just have to wait and see how the second appraisal turns out.

 

Just a word to others--what you think you are being promised is not necessarily what you get!

 

Just one other thing. If you buy a new car then you may well find it cheaper at another dealer in another country, but that doesn't mean the original dealer should refund your money. I didn't think RCL provided a 'lowest price guarantee', they only provide a guarantee that the quality of the purchase isn't what they tell you. If you can prove via a gemologist that the quality of the ring is less than what they told you, then you have a genuine claim. On paying too much, that's down to your own judgments and RCl shouldn't be responsible for that.

[Sue L]

FL Cruiser and MMCRZER, thanks for your comments. Perhaps this additional information will help.

 

We paid $2200.00 for the ring. The original asking price was $3900.00. I think there is a big difference between $1600.00 and $2200.00. (Almost the cost of a 7 day cruise for one). :)

 

The appraisal that we obtained was for replacement value. I had never laid eyes on the people before--they were referred by our homeowner's insurance agent. The CL rejected them because they were jewelry wholesalers as well as appraisers. In checking, the fine print does say that the appraisal must be by someone who is not in the business of selling jewelry si I can understand why they didn't want to accept it.

 

We have found a gemologist in the city who will do an appraisal for $95.00. I just can't seem to get a straight answer about what will happen if the second appraisal matches the first one. I was always given the impression that the CL stood behind the purchase. Now it seems as if the CL is depending on the retailer to make things right. I feel like it's a case of "bait and switch."

 

DH loves the ring and would like to keep it. However, he doesn't want to pay more for it than it is worth. We initially offered to keep the ring if they gave us a $600.00 refund. The retailer rejected that offer.

 

Had we known it was going to be this much trouble, we would have stuck with the people that we know and trust and have dealt with in the past. We'll just have to wait and see how the second appraisal turns out.

 

Just a word to others--what you think you are being promised is not necessarily what you get!

 

 

The appraisal that you had done, does it agree with your original purchase for quality? Color? Clarity? Carat? Do they match? Or is there a discrepancy with the facts of the diamond? What the guarantee is guaranteeing is that you are getting what they said. If they said the diamond was f color, VS1, 1.5 carats and your appraiser said it was a H color VS2, and 1 carat then you have a case because the guaranteed shop sold you something inferior to what they listed on your appraisal at purchase. If those figures all match and you over paid that is not guaranteed. I feel extremely bad for you, but if DH loves the ring forget the cost and enjoy the good memories from the cruise associated with it.

[jzerocsk]

DH loves the ring and would like to keep it. However, he doesn't want to pay more for it than it is worth.

 

The problem with things like diamonds and art is that their "value" is fairly arbitrary. They are pretty much worth what someone will pay for them and appraisals don't mean a whole lot. He loves it and thought it was a fair enough price when he bought it, then that seems like it should be good enough.

 

Now if the merchant misrepresented the quality of the stone(s) you should definitely try to get the difference. But if the quality adds up and it turns out you just overpaid, just keep reminding yourself that you liked it enough to pay what you paid and be happy.

 

Not that it helps now, but to others in the future if you want to buy diamonds you should probably only buy from people you know and trust.

[kc320]

I take most of the onboard shopping director's advise with a grain of salt.....there is a reason "why" certain stores are reccommended and it has little to do with the quality of merchandise......if I find an item I like whether jewelery, watch or whatever at a price I feel comfortable paying I buy it....whether it is an approved dealer or not....then I buy it..... I have several pieces of jewelery I have bought on cruises over the years. Are they worth what I paid for them? I don't know, I bought them with the sole purpose of wearing them & remembering the great cruise I was on when I bought them.....

[FL_Cruiser64]

FL Cruiser and MMCRZER, thanks for your comments. Perhaps this additional information will help.

 

We paid $2200.00 for the ring. The original asking price was $3900.00. I think there is a big difference between $1600.00 and $2200.00. (Almost the cost of a 7 day cruise for one). :)

 

The appraisal that we obtained was for replacement value. I had never laid eyes on the people before--they were referred by our homeowner's insurance agent. The CL rejected them because they were jewelry wholesalers as well as appraisers. In checking, the fine print does say that the appraisal must be by someone who is not in the business of selling jewelry si I can understand why they didn't want to accept it.

 

We have found a gemologist in the city who will do an appraisal for $95.00. I just can't seem to get a straight answer about what will happen if the second appraisal matches the first one. I was always given the impression that the CL stood behind the purchase. Now it seems as if the CL is depending on the retailer to make things right. I feel like it's a case of "bait and switch."

 

DH loves the ring and would like to keep it. However, he doesn't want to pay more for it than it is worth. We initially offered to keep the ring if they gave us a $600.00 refund. The retailer rejected that offer.

 

Had we known it was going to be this much trouble, we would have stuck with the people that we know and trust and have dealt with in the past. We'll just have to wait and see how the second appraisal turns out.

 

Just a word to others--what you think you are being promised is not necessarily what you get!

 

Why would give you anybody $600? Best case scenario the place where you bought the ring gives you the money back and you return the ring. I never bought anything through the cruise ship simply because of a possible problem of returns and refunds but I am sure that RCI only guarantees you that the item is as advertised not the sale price. If RCI guarantees you a 14K gold chain and you get a 14K gold chain than that would resolve them from their obligation. What you pay for it is up to you. I would assume if people stomp onto gold and diamond deals they would know a little bit about that territory. I would hate to just dump 2200 bucks on somebody knowing that I can't easily return to that store for a refund. A sales price is not necessarly an item evaluation price.