Monica Jewelers — Attraction in Columbia

Pros: Low-pressure buying experience, knowledgeable and helpful staff Cons: Forced to open a GE credit card account Overall experience: Very good

I bought my wife’s engagement ring sometime in May or June of 2013 at Monica Jewelers in the Columbia Mall. My experiences with Monica Jewelers started several months prior to then when I took my wife (then girlfriend) out to look at rings so that I would get a good idea of what she liked. The one sales associate, Shelby, was very helpful and listened to what my wife wanted in a ring without pushing anything more expensive on her. As my wife described her style, Shelby pulled out more and more display rings that matched what she described. This is contrast to other places that we went together where the sales associate would half-listen then pull out one of the most expensive rings within reach and try to convince my wife that that was what she wanted.

I wanted the actual ring itself and the engagement to have some surprise so I went back multiple times to Monica Jewelers on my own to pick out the engagement ring. I mainly consulted with Shelby the whole time. Shelby listened to what I had to say and even remembered what my wife had said weeks after our initial visits. I couldn’t settle on any of the in-store selection of rings so Shelby walked me through different ring styles in a catalog. I picked one, but said I would really like if I could see the ring in person before making a purchase. She was very accommodating and said she could have the band made and have it shipped to the store without diamonds so that I could see it in person. This required me to put a $100 hold on the band which would be refunded if I decided not to purchase it. The band was a 3-stone design with special scroll-style etching. When deciding on the actual diamonds, I also dealt with one of Monica Jewelers gemologists, Corey. He was thorough in explaining to me the cuts, clarity, and other basics about diamonds. I was a complete noob, I knew nothing about diamonds or jewelry.

After several visits to Monica Jewelers I purchased the 3-stone band I liked in the catalog. I felt like I got a good price. I had gotten quotes from other stores on similar rings. I will not say the price here in case for some reason my wife reads this ;-) The center diamond was a 1/3 carat, and the two side ones were each 1/4 carat. There were no accent diamonds.

One thing that was a little annoying about the experience was that I had to get a GE credit card account to get a special interest rate. I can't remember the details of why I had to do this as I made it clear to them I had enough money said to pay the whole thing immediately. Anyway I remember feeling like I didn't have the option. The finance loan was made through GE Capital (which came with a credit card). I paid it immediately. The only annoyance with this was that it caused me to have another account I didn't want.

I would recommend Monica Jewelers, particularly if you can get Shelby to work with you. I didn't have much experience with the other sales associates so I can’t say how an experience without...

(DAM IT'S NO NEGATIVE STARS ON HERE!!) Oh well.. I went to Monica and she tried to rob me keeping all my money for something that was never done.. "Buyers Beware" She gets her business from clientele who knows absolutely nothing about what they are buying except the "diamonds" are shiny.. Hey alot of people don't understand what the color and clarity grades mean and are believing that what you are told is true.. Go to a jeweler and have your purchases appraised and find out what it's really worth.. But as for me I had to sue Monica Khan for my money because that's how awful and terrible her business is.. I wanted a custom piece and said I'll give her place a shot and that was the worst mistake of my life.. So once she found out I was seriously going to sue her she tried to settle out of court and I declined because I wanted every dime she took from me.. I won and she still hasn't paid me and this was in early May.. I guess she can't afford to pay that lawyer and me.. But oh well.. So please don't get robbed by her and let this be a warning to you all.. And if you did business there please go to another store and get your stuff looked at.. She done messed over the wrong one this time.. And that's what happens when she just out here hustling hard working people.. Even the little young boys who don't know any better but just dropping a few dollars to think they fresh.. Stop letting her take your money!! Hopefully her well dry up.. So if you a blue collar worker or getting it in out there in the streets please find you another jeweler and...

I'm an avid watch collector and I was interested in the Bulova Lunar Pilot watch, and came across MJs and noticed they had a huge selection of Bulova watches including the Lunar Pilot 43.5mm 'Snoopy' colorway special edition gift box set. I just came back from Macy's around the corner and they only took preorder and no sales.

MJ had the exact model I was looking for and LAYLA came over to assist me. She was friendly, informative, and her personal customer care is the blueprint standard of service industry salesman. She told me MJ are actually authorized dealers for Bulova and they can offer discounts at a very competitive rate. I thought it was a sale pitch, all of the sudden pulls out a calculator, she can do me better at "this price, out the door" [Not going to reveal their business deal in this review as common courtesy]. She knew I was serious buyer and I didn't even have to negotiate she gave me a way too good of an offer to pass up, it was straight business.

She threw in Bulova sunglasses and promotional Bulova desk clock. The original packaging was damaged so she was swapping boxes but accidentally placed the display box in my bag, so when I got home, I realized it was an honest hiccup, I called the store Cory apologized and told me he can ship or I can pick up. The customer service was so great, I told him I'll pick it up myself to personally thank you all. While I was driving, Layla heard the news and left a detailed voicemail of an apology over the simple mistake as well.

When it comes to Bulova, I'm definitely coming...