Complaint Review:
Gem Shopping Network Inc.
Gem Shopping Network, Inc. Gem Shopping Network, gemshopping.com Former Gem Collector Duluth, Georgia
I was out of my mind. After breaking my hip, I was on heavy painkillers and the only thing that I enjoyed doing was watching the Gem Shopping Network. I had a few bucks to spare, so I started buying. I became obsessed with gems and combed the internet for information on each of them.
Several of the items I purchased were attractive on the surface, and I thought I got good deals. If an appraisal was provided, it looked like I had made some awesome purchases. That is, until I took a couple of stones to my local jeweler to have them set or sized.
If you have your item appraised by Gem Shopping, it will certainly look like you had a bargain price, and if you want to insure your purchase, you will pay a heavy premium. Appraisals are a matter of opinion, and as we know, everyone has one. I do have a fair education in jewels, and even I could see that there is a mass hypnosis going on in Duluth.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but you can't trust your TV to tell you when there are lighting techniques used from the transmitter that make gems look better than when you receive them. It can even look like a bait and switch, but I think it is the stage lighting.
If you succumb to their snake oil sales, don't have them size an item for you or appraise it, because you will not see that purchase for a month. You can't go back and look at a photo of the item on line. You will also waste a day waiting for it to be delivered, requiring your signature, and at an exorbitant cost. Don't be fooled into thinking that they are placing extra insurance on the item, because everything is shipped the same way and at the same cost.
Any setting that is made by Gem Shopping is junky. So many sharp edges and catchy prongs, and always light on metal. (Estate pieces may be better.)
I am so embarrassed and sorry that I did not return several items. I can never tell my mother (and I'm 55 years old!) I purchased from a few different "hosts", and it is always the same.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Tutt
Oklahoma,Shop Reputable Brick & Mortar Stores Only
#2Consumer Comment
Tue, March 25, 2014
I buy alot of gemstone and gold jewelry on a regular basis because I love beautiful jewelry. When I first searched the "Ripoff Report" site for this company the search returned over 15 hits. I read the first hit and a customer was outraged that a ring purchased from this company was appraised by a reputable long-standing jeweler as basically glass. The interesting thing is the review was "updated" and so glowingly appreciative it sounds as though the buyer was either threatened or otherwise persuaded to change the complaint - however in any case that is enough for me to avoid this company completely.
Take a tip from experience - do not buy jewelry - especially expensive jewelry sight unseen because there is absolutely no way to confirm you are receiving quality or even genuine merchandise. One of the biggest consumer complaints areas is in online retail and spending thousands of dollars on a piece of jewelry sight unseen is never a good idea - small purchases from a company with a very reputable reputatation in business for many years and with few customer complaints yes but otherwise - a resounding "No"!. There are a number of high-end jewelry sellers online that also have very reputable brick & mortar stores as well and they are a much safer retailer than a company with multiple complaints for quality, authenticity and refund issues. The sad thing is there is very little help available for high-end website ripoffs unless your state has an aggressive attorney general consumer protection unit.
The best way to purchase valuable high-end rare gemstone jewelry is to visit a good jeweler in your city and develop a relationship with the store because just as you walked out with the piece you can walk right back in and complain and all high-end jewelry is sold with a certificate of authenticity. Good luck and beware.