Bayside Coin & Jewelry — Local services in Bellingham

After careful research of several options in town, and a couple of phone calls to various places, I decided to give this place a try. The reviews were mixed, so I was a bit apprehensive, but I had such a pleasant and knowledgeable representative when I called, that I immediately felt comfortable going in and getting a price quote on a custom ring I was designing for someone very special to me. My experience explains the mixed reviews on here, as I went in twice. The first time I talked with one of the owners, who spent 10 minutes going through books with designs and suppliers, and was extremely helpful. He gave me an estimated cost on the custom jewelry I had brought in a picture of from a web site, and overall I had a great experience. A bout a week later, I had procured the stone and was ready to get production started, and went in again. The man who approached me was disheveled and rude, and in fact was still chewing when he "greeted" me. He immediately told me the original price quote was "a bit off" and started re-quoting the work at more than twice the original quote. The funny thing is, I still would have gladly paid the new number, but his attitude was so overwhelmingly rude, and he acted like my presence there was an inconvenience to him. I'll never go back. There are other places that actually want...

I wish business owners knew the true value of their customers. Having a business of my own for 16 years, I always made sure that a customer or potential customer never left with any negativity. It wasn’t always easy. Some people are never satisfied or they are just dishonest. Bayside seems to think that they are the only jewelry business in the world. I have been here several times and only once, left feeling like I was looked down at, I presume, because I wasn’t willing to pay their prices. It didn’t just end with me walking out the door. The first time I disagreed with them about the cost of gold and diamonds, I was actually yelled at, until I was able to calm the situation down. Bad taste, bad service, and I felt as if these guys ripped me off after giving me the bill, and becoming hostile when I asked them to explain the extra charges on my bill. I went back in a few other occasions thinking that maybe someone was having a bad day. I learned that these guys were so poor, all they had was money. Spend your hard earned money at a spot that knows how hard you work for what you want. These guys have obviously been in the business too long and may have just forgotten the basics of good business. Bayside jewelry seems more like a pawn shop than a fine...

Was disrespected by the older woman the first time I visited; definitely one of the rudest, crassest individuals I've met in a while. Went in again and got a nonchalant, uncaring attitude mixed with feigned tolerance. I used to work construction but I'm never filthy, I just wear sneakers and blue jeans with T-shirts. The people in this place are what we used to refer to in the sales industry as "curb-qualifiers." I must not have met their Barkley Hillside Criteria. How little do these types know. I went in after a long day each time with about 20 grand saved up in my gift account, looking for an engagement and wedding ring for my fiancee and maybe a birthday stone ring for my mom. Never going back. If for some reason they think you don't look like you've got the cash, you won't get the respect. The place looks great, but the attitudes of the people there are more like those found in a seedy pawn shop or a slimy, side street used car dealership. I could practically feel the hands reaching for my wallet. Definitely the customer doesn't come first here, it's all about what they can get from you. I'm able to recover now fairly quickly when this sort of garbage is handed to me, but I just wanted to say, this place took one of my best days in a while and tried...