KEMMI - St-Laurent — Local services in Montreal

I bought a round basket bag from this shop (sold as a hand-woven Indonesian rattan bag). They had a selection of around 10-15 different styles, and while very similar, some were priced at 75 CAD and some at 90 CAD. The ones at a stall outside of the shop (during a street market) were all at 90 CAD; those in the shop, where there was a wider choice, were a mixture: quite a few were at 75 CAD, also a few at 90 CAD. I chose one that was 75 CAD and while getting cash from next door (for a tax free purchase, apparently, but only if one pays cash), even though I was told to pay outside and then come inside to get the bag which was saved for me behind the counter, they had already taken it to the stall outside. To my huge surprise, not only that, but the tag had been taken off and a receipt had been written for 90 CAD. Now, I know for a fact the bag not only had a tag on it (like all of their bags), but it also said 75 CAD: that's the basis on which I went on to withdraw cash needed to purchase tax-free. An extremely unpleasant conversation ensued when I made a point of correcting their asking price and pointing out the tag on the bag as it was before I left it for 5 minutes said something entirely different. One of (I assume) their shop managers tried to convince me otherwise, while the girl writing the receipt confirmed there may have been a misunderstanding and they MAY have had the wrong price on the tag (only after trying to convince me quite aggressively I was wrong, this bag was always priced at 90 CAD). In the end, my husband paid 80 CAD which is what we withdrew for the purchase as he just wanted to buy a nice gift for me without the added aggravation. They were very happy to accept that. I found it completely outrageous that while I was away, the tag had been taken off, the bag had been taken out to a different stall deliberately so I can feel pressured into paying 90 CAD, for which the receipt was already written, and then on top of that when I clearly showed I knew full well what must have happened in the meantime and I was 100% sure what the price of the bag was before I left it, they still kept on trying it on. Dishonest and disappointing. I would steer clear and will certainly not be returning to this shop. EDIT: In response to the owner's reply below, the tag you had brought out and left to the side of the bag (but no longer attached to it) was not the same one it had on originally and all it said was 90 CAD, so not what you describe below either. You should have never accepted the 80 CAD, and should have apologized profusely for the disappointing (at best, with a very generous interpretation of what happened) experience. Something which you have failed to do wholeheartedly in your response below as well. Having a busy day as an excuse for a misunderstanding doesn't somehow tally with the extra time taken to do everything I described above, and indeed what you confirmed below. So no, I don't think I will be deleting my review and I shall let future clients of your shop decide themselves what to make...

My advice: Be an informed customer!

Went to this store and LOVED these earrings, they reminded me of some that I had that got robbed a year ago. However, lowkey had a feeling that the middle opal would fall off (because I have trust issues with jewellery stores). I was unsure of this purchase. I specifically asked the girl “I feel like this will fall off” and I wish I recorded this convo because it was truly funny how she was like “No way!! It will not, you do not need to worry about that!! Even if it does, we’ll repair it for free”. (This is an important detail)

I bought the earrings for $200 and guess what? After two uses, the middle opal fell off. Went back to the store for the repair and was informed that it would cost $50 for the opal that I “lost”. Hmm :) I wish I would have known that!

My response: “it’s kinda crazy that this cost is a client responsibility considering the product broke the exact way I was assured it would not break- also how am I supposed to feel when a microscopic opal falls out of my earring and recover it” Girl’s response: “nothing I can do sorry ✨🥰🫶”

Two things: If I had been informed that if the opal fell off and if I didn’t have the spidey senses to find it, then I would have to pay the cost, I would have NEVER bought these earrings. I encourage this store’s salespeople to be more explicit with this info pre-purchase. The girl told me “these things happen with handmade products, if you want things that last, you should get from a factory” hot take but okay?? Will do sis!

So listen, if you buy from this store, just be ready to pay for the lost part out of your own pocket if your stuff is defective. I personally felt like they as a company should have covered the cost of the opal, since it was not my fault that it broke, but that’s not...

Really glad I found this boutique! Beautiful quality modern/simple jewelry, exactly what I was looking for. And really friendly staff! :)

EDIT - I have now had two recent experiences at Kēmmi, and I am so pleased with the quality of the pieces, and how kind and helpful the staff are! Both times I went in to the store I spent a LOT of time trying on different pieces and combinations, and really wanted to take my time to make the right decision. The staff were really helpful in suggesting things, and really made me feel at ease taking my time. They're also really knowledgeable in regards to the product, and it's clear that they are passionate about their business and what they're selling. That makes a huge difference to me.

It was overall such a great experience, and I'm so happy with my purchases.

I'm really happy to support local businesses like this, and I would highly recommend Kēmmi to anyone looking for quality jewelry...