New York Jewelers — Local services in Chicago

I'd just like to go on the record and say that I am definitely not the type of person to spend my limited time and energy writing negative reviews, but I'm making an exception due to how poor my experience was at this establishment. I’d also like to preface this by saying that I have been working in the estate sale industry for about half a decade now and I quite literally evaluate and appraise vintage stuff for a living.

To begin, I recently inherited a vintage Omega Constellation Pie Pan from a family member and after reading some positive reviews online, I scheduled an appointment with New York Jewelers with the intention of selling it. I showed up to the appointment 15 minutes early and they took me in immediately, which was nice. I was then told that the salesperson that I was assigned to would not be ready until 1pm and that someone else would be assisting me. That’s fine, whatever. However, the demeanor of this employee was so unprofessional that it honestly caught me off guard a little bit. He very clearly had other more important places to be and didn’t exactly try to hide the fact that I was burdening him with my presence. He took my watch into one of the back rooms and inspected it for about 5 minutes (did not even take the back plate off to inspect the internals by this point) before he returned to tell me that my watch was worth $250 TOPS. C’mon man, I’m fully aware that this 60 year old timepiece has a little bit of vintage wear, but $250? That's Seiko money. He also told me that all of his colleagues were in agreement with him, which was weird because I didn’t ask. What an insulting offer from someone who supposedly has your best interests in mind. Listen, I was not there to sell a vintage Rolex or a rare Richard Mille piece, but these vintage Constellation Pie Pans regularly resell for between $1,200-$3,000 depending on their condition and if they have the correct documentation.

I’m a younger guy in my twenties and it was so abundantly obvious that he was banking on the fact that I was too naive to understand the value of my watch. Such a slimy, predatory, and immoral way to conduct business. There’s really no way to justify that type of behavior. It made me think about how many other people he’s used these tactics on in the past. By this point, I questioned why I was even still entertaining the conversation and realized that it was my time that was being wasted, not his. I accepted his extremely generous $300 offer, waited a few minutes while the paperwork was being prepared, then said never mind. He was visibly upset that he wasn’t able to successfully swindle me and said “good luck, but this doesn’t look good for you at all” before storming off down the hallway like a true professional.

Overall, my favorite part about my experience at New York Jewelers was probably when I exited their store and walked a block to another storefront on Jewelers Row where I sold my watch for $1,350 about 20 minutes later. If you enjoy working with honest people and having money in your pockets, then I’d probably suggest steering clear of...

They are the best in the business! Whatever you end up acquiring, you will be getting the best possible deal, from the absolutely most stellar staff, and specific individuals that specialize in each department. Their watch department is flawless. They might not have every single brand, but they carry most upscale watches, and an array of pre-worn watches. All of their pre-worn watches come with phenomenal warranties, and are in phenomenal condition. Anyone looking for a pre-worn rolex, this is the place to go! The one brand that they specialize in, on a major level, is TAG Heuer. They have the best selection out there. I happen to love that brand, and I would go nowhere else to acquire a timepiece from tag heuer. But above that, the salesman are extremely professional, and you will get the best possible deal out there. I go nowhere else! For all of my jewelry needs. Whether it's acquiring a new timepiece, ring, or getting something serviced. If you're looking for a wedding ring, and or wedding band, this is also the place to go! They have the highest quality precious stones and metals. They are also very up-to-date on what is in style, at any given time. If you call ahead, you'll probably get the best service that way. But you can just walk right in there. The owner is one of the most honest and well respected individuals in the business. I cannot sing the Praises of this Jeweler enough. I literally will go nowhere else. And if there is ever something that they cannot do, they are connected to the entire business district. They will direct you for whatever it is you are looking for. But chances are, you'll find it at their location. I mean it when I say that they are the best in the business! From the owner, to salesman, and of course all of that which they offer within the store. You will not only acquire the best possible, for the best price, but you will also enjoy the experience. To me, that's one of the most important things. If I'm looking for a watch, or a ring, or a specific diamond, I want to enjoy that experience. I personally guarantee that you will. If you've read this far, you know that I cannot sing their praises enough. I've been dealing with them for over 20 years, and I've never had a bad experience. Not only that, I've actually only had five star experiences. They are the top of the top. Give them a call or stop on by and you will get anything and everything you can imagine from the highest quality of Jewelers in the world. I've been to New york. I've been overseas. Europe. Israel. And many other countries. I can safely say that they are the best in the business. Absolutely...

Several months ago I was visiting in Chicago for the weekend and decided to check out some local jewelry stores to look at watches and my sister and brother in law came along. As a watchmaker and collector, I've been to several jewelry stores and dealt with people in the field even in the Chicago area. Usually when someone learns what I do they are happy to talk with me about it and open up to share their experiences as I am happy to learn about them. Immediately upon entering their second floor where the watches are we saw some 5 employees huddled together talking and they look up at me as if we were intruding upon their conversation they wanted to have privately. After turning the corner and seeking out an employee I was greeted. I started looking at some watches as he followed me around and we started talking a little and I told him I was a watchmaker and was in town visiting. His mind seemed to wonder as he didn't seem fully engaged in our interaction. As asked to see a few watches and admired them and talked showed them to my sister and her husband. When I asked to see a third watch he sharply asked "What exactly are you looking at with these watches?" I replied "I just want to see them and show them (my sister and her husband) some higher end watches..." He rolled his eyes and and said "Ahh..." followed by an awkward silence. My sister and I looked at each other immediately realizing we were no longer welcome there. I thanked him for his time and we left. Of all the jewelry stores I've ever visited I have always been treated with respect and the employees have ALWAYS been willing to talk about our common love of watches even if they know I won't be buying an $80,000 Patek any time soon. (Side note: everyone at Tourneu in the water tower is amazing- helpful, nice, passionate, and knowledgeable! My favorite place to visit in Chicago!) It's one thing to be treated like a second class customer if they are busy and had other customers, but there was only one other couple in there and they were being helped...plus they had the group of employees near the entrance. The other point is that you never know if at some point in time that customer WILL be able to afford that Patek and if you treat them like they are a waste of energy and time then when and if the customer can afford that watch they will certainly not come back to you. Long story short...because I was treated like that by their employee I'll always be hesitant to do business with them in the future - be it personal or...