Parkhill Jewelry — Local services in Ephrata

Parkhill Jewelry, Ephrata, PA: BUYER BEWARE!!!!! If you expect to be treated with honesty and integrity in a professional manner AVOID THIS BUSINESS! My mother-in-law passed suddenly in July 2020. As part of settling her affairs, we needed to sell her jewelry to pay for her funeral expenses as she did not have life insurance. Based on the recommendation of a friend and the desire to patronize a local business, we chose Parkhill Jewelry. I first went to the store on 8/11/2020. I told them I had some gold jewelry I needed to sell and that I wanted to keep 2 pieces as keepsakes for the granddaughters. The saleswoman looked over the pieces I had and seemed very excited about them. She weighed the items and gave me a rough estimate of weight and value based on the current price of gold. But, she told me that I would have to deal directly with the shop owner to sell the items. She also expressed an interest in buying one of the rings. Additionally, she seemed VERY keen on telling me (repeatedly) about upcoming sales and how I could trade up these pieces for something nicer for the granddaughters. I emphasized that I was not interested in buying anything but that I would be interested in an appraisal on the pieces I was keeping so the granddaughters would have something for insurance purposes. I was told there would be a cost for an appraisal but the amount seemed to vary on whether I was going to buy anything or not… ??? I returned to the shop a few days later when the owner was there. I repeated why I was selling the gold and keeping 2 pieces and that I was interested in appraisals for them. The owner quickly shuffled my jewelry on and off his scale, viewed everything quickly through the loop and gave me a price if I would take cash on the spot. Going through the recent unexpected death of my MIL and all the emotions associated with that and settling her estate, etc., etc., I, unfortunately, was not thinking clearly and agreed to his offer. I got the cash and a hastily written ‘generic’ receipt. NO DETAILS regarding the merchandise that changed hands – descriptions, weight, gems, etc. NOTHING. I was told he would have the appraisal done by the next day (and this was written on the receipt: “Appraisals by 8/15”). Long story short… I returned to the shop several times over the next several weeks before the appraisal was finally ready. I was handed a typed paper listing a ring and a pair of earrings and value of each (which, ironically just happened to be the exact same amount for each piece?!?). Again, NO DETAILS. Obviously, this is worthless to an insurance company and the granddaughters inheriting these pieces. The people at Parkhill did not listen when I said these pieces were going to 2 separate people and I wanted each piece to have its own appraisal. When I rejected this so-called appraisal, was told if I wanted a detailed appraisal, it was $100. I realize that I was not getting paid full price for the value of the gold and diamonds, etc. I sold to this man. I understand he has to make a living, too. However, I believe he made A LOT of money off the items I sold him and taking a hour (if that long!) to write up an appraisal with a few details: gold weight, description of the stones, etc. was not too much too ask! He told me he would do it and call me when the appraisals were complete so I could come pick everything up. Today is 9/17/2020. It is several WEEKS later and I have not heard anything from him. I called and stopped in the store several times and the owner is never there. I was told he’s been too busy to do my appraisals. I truly believe he NEVER intended to do what he promised to do. I took my jewelry and left with a VERY BAD TASTE MY MOUTH for this business. The longer he blew me off and the longer I had time to think about how everything transpired the more angry I felt. All this company cares about is making their profit. I did not feel ‘heard’ or that they cared for me as a customer. I DO NOT RECOMMEND DOING BUSINESS...

Been dealing with Park Hill for 20 +years and always very happy with service and products. Last year, Stopped in to have a ring...that I purchased at Park Hill, repaired. They were having an event that day, and I put 3 items on hold. We ended up going on vacation a couple of days later for 2 weeks. Ring repair was taking way too long. ..well over a month, close to two maybe. We had some family issues which prevented us from stopping in at park hill. We finally stopped in pick up repair and to show my wife the 3 items I had on hold. I left $1000 deposit and took the repaired ring, and ordered the 3 pieces that my wife eventually decided upon, including sizing her ring. At the show, I fell in love with a white Diamond and Chocolate diamond ring.

My son, passed away, and the very last thing on our minds for months was the park hill jewelry. In March /April, we stop in with the money. They had the ring, but did not have the other 2 pieces, with no explanation. I gave them another $1100 and took the ring, and once again told the other 2 pieces would be ordered. We finally called this week to inquire about the order and was told they were never ordered, and that I need to speak with BERNIE. ....who in 4 trips to the store over this order, is never there. I left a phone message to call me. He called 2-3 days later suggesting I needed to contact him to discuss my debt. Not understanding my debt, I called....he explained to me very unprofessionally and rude that i owe him a balance of $1100. They accused me if stealing the ring and never paying for it. I loudy replied back that he was wrong, I had paid 1100 in cash, and that perhaps his worker had taken the money. He yells that he keeps great records and I never made a payment. I told him I had a memory like an elephant and had a receipt. He yells back...how is your F+%!ing memory, and I hung up. When we got home, and after my wife being very upset over this accusation, she found all the paperwork work related to this purchase. Of course we had two receipts, one for 1100 and one for 1000. Thieves we are not. My wife called, spoke to Bernie and asked for fax number. We faxed over the receipt of our missing payment. ....the one that got lost with their wonderful record system...which is 20 years old BTW. Its been 4 days now....no call from Bernie with an apology. I will never ever buy anything from there, and will make sure I tell every person I know of my experience. Shame on them. All it took was a phone call and all would be forgotten. BTW Bernie....the ring we got was the right ring...wrong stones. We ordered ordered white. And chocholate diamonds not white and champagne. Will be returning the ring for full refund, as it is not...

I brought 4 watches in to replace the batteries. I also needed a ring re-sized. Coming down from the New York metro area, I looked for a jeweler to have this done as 2 of the watches were Rados and the other were Movados. I was surprised they called the next day to notify me the watches were ready. I am completely irate the they were ready so fast. I expected to wait a reasonable amount of TIME of up to say 2 weeks.

Now the ring. It had been sized before there. They had the utter audacity to not charge for the resize. That’s just plain ridiculous. Right?

Now, prior to leaving with my watches, Brooke HAD to point out some of the clearance items nearby. Shame on her for doing that! Unfortunately, there was a beautiful heart shaped pendant depicting a “stained glass look.”

I am so totally upset with Brooke for pointing this out to me. I needed to buy Another piece of jewelry, for my wife, like I’d need a hamburger. Geez…

These days it is my expectation that I will receive poor customer service. It was quite the opposite. Shame on Brooke for “forcing” me to buy the heart.😉

By the way, if you’re in need of jewelry and horribly awesome customer service, I’d suggest you see Brooke. I’m sure she’ll provide the same “awful” service I received. It was totally unfortunate that she’s darn good at what she...