Whidby Jewelers — Local services in Madison

You want to always give others the benefit of doubt. This was one of the worst experiences of any business located in downtown Madison. Simply, there was an attempt in my opinion to cheat someone you thought did not know any better.

No one wants to play the perverbial "race card". But when you are overly polite just so people will hear you, and still speak to you with the feel of supiriority, you cant help but feel its because you are seen as less than. I was judged from the moment I entered the door. I was there to determine the cost of an antique majesty wedding ring more than 60 years old. I contacted many people, including jewelers outside of the state to get a quote. The vast majority of quotes range from 250 to 650. I was offered $125 by this jeweler claiming my diamond was basically no good. Even a pawn shop offered more than twice the quote of the jewelers. This is not a business anyone should promote, but especially minorities. They seemed to also refuse to give me my i.d left when the owner realized I had no plans on selling my ring which I simply wanted a quote on.

I was unable to vote without my i.d. I was advised to file a police report. I made more than 6 phone calls and 2 visits for information on my i.d. All employees refused to contact the owner claiming they would not contact the gentleman who had previously requested the i.d. When I attempted to explain the imporance if retreiving my i.d, they both spoke to me in a very firm vioce "We will have him call you when he returns". It was not until I informed them that I had contacted the police, where they apologetic towards my exerience. It is now Saturday, a week after refusing to sell my ring. The owner has not once reached out to me. I simply wanted to vote as it is important to me. I will now have to loose time from work to vote as nothing will prevent me from being heard. I wil not be silenced. I plan to share my experiences as I see it on ALL social media platforms. I am having financial difficulty and a son who was recently involved I a terrible accident. I needed the funds.

Shame...

My husband bought a lifetime replacement warranty necklace on our Anniversary trip a few years ago from Whidby Jewelers and we were told we had to pay a fee to have it shipped to the company if we ever needed to replace it and mailed back to us which we were happy with as we are not natives. We have replaced it a few times which the experience was a little rough due to Whidby Jewelers accidently sending us the incorrect size of the necklace one time and then asking questions insuating ill intent as to why I have a different size once the chain had to be replaced again. However, this was eventually resolved when they reviewed their records and noticed their error and then proceeded to charge me with the amount agreed to replace the necklace and did so. I completely understand that there are mistakes sometimes. The representative at Whidby Jewelers was able to see from their computer records I was only charged the fee previously told to us each time including a couple times when the owner himself charged the agreed amount. Recently, I was told that the previous agreed amount is doubled and that the price should have been that way from the start and they are not sure why it wasn't previously. If I was told the doubled price was due to a new policy or some type of change in the company, this would not have been a red flag or a concern. However, having the price doubled and being told they are not sure why it was done differently previously even by the owner himself, Mr. Whidby just one year prior caused me to be mistrustful of the company. I now see Whidby Jewelers as a company that not only does not stand by their word but by their previous employee's and even owner's actions and agreements to...

I visited the jewelry store today with my daughter. She had visited one previous time with her boyfriend (now fiance). At that time she tried on several rings and the saleslady helping them never reached out to ask if they needed anymore help. He ended up purchasing her engagement ring from another jeweler. Today she wanted to try on wedding bands. From the beginning the saleswoman was not helpful and explained that any ring would have to be special ordered. She also took her to the lab grown diamonds which we were not interested in trying. I walked over to another counter where there were several rings that were similar to what she’s been looking for - after trying on several the lady told her she should bring pictures and anything would have to be ordered. Not once was she friendly nor did she have any suggestions to help. We’ve purchased thousands of dollars in diamonds and will gladly go back to our hometown jeweler who always spends time to help us with a vision. You’re associate acted like we were more of a bother. Sorry ma’am you’ve lost yet another sale, not that you care. After reading your response it reiterates my initial thought. I have an eternity band and have knowledge in this area. This was the second time this salesperson snubbed her. In addition, her engagement ring has emerald cut diamonds and not baguettes - she wasn’t paying attention because she clearly didn’t care. I can assure you it won’t happen again. You won’t have to worry about us coming back. She’ll call the designer back that designed her engagement ring. I truly wish you were the one that helped us when we were there - seems like you would have provided a little more thoughtfulness...