Macha Studio — Local services in New York

This sketch cost us $544,

2022 (edit* Dec 2021) After a short discussion about working with Bernice for engagement ring/necklace. I was unsure and my wife was out of the country. A brief pen sketch ideas were placed on an invoice paper. Bernice asked me a $500 deposit.

A year had passed and neither party followed up with each other.

in 2023 we returned together to NYC to look at the shop together but left undecided and without any real discussion or movement.

in June 2024 When we came once back again to NYC to visit the location. It seemed certain we were going to go with another nearby shop for our ring. We were curious if they would allow a store credit for that money or a return if we decided to go in a different direction. The staff was unsure and after speaking to the owner in the backroom/phone denied us a return of the deposit or store credit for other items. We would've liked to put those funds towards earrings, pottery, or another item. It would've been considerate for the owner to at least tell us she was taking/keeping our money over the phone or to our face, rather the shop staff just sent us on our way.

This was disappointing from a basic humanity and customer service perspective, The lack of acknowledgement that we exchanged $500 for a brief sketch and nothing else to show for it. Our last exchange felt impersonal and left us disappointed that the shop would just have us leave.

This is not a criticism of their jewelry, rather just a disappointing lack thereof communication or customer service in trying to work towards a shared goal, ie money in exchange for actual service/jewlery.

Edit response* I was mistaken the first in person meeting was not in 2022 it was in December 2021, I was off my 1 month.

The amount charged was $544, you added taxes on a deposit for a sketch.

The paper does say "renderings for custom items are non refundable". I would've expected an actual rendering not the rough sketch on the piece of paper handed to me, maybe an actual follow up email or two.

To be fair more email or phone communication on both of our parts would've helped lead to a piece we might've been happy with. Alas we did at least make a physical effort to come to the store together 2 more times.

I would've thought more consideration would've been taken into account with your store and brand in building a relationship beyond $544. I had also purchased earrings at the time ($560) which we were happy with. In my third visit we actually wanted put that misplaced deposit towards possibly purchasing other pieces.

I don't think keeping that $544 for seemingly no work was worth me having to eventually write this painful review in public. The money is lost to us as is any possibility of future purchases from Macha from us.

You can claim it was the fine print and think you are justified, it was honestly it's just disappointing, I am disappointed in you, in my opinion the action was the wrong thing to do.

I can't find emails from Macha referencing this deposit or the desire to see a piece come to fruition. If there are receipts in the form of follow up emails, text, phone, and notes that I missed. I'm open minded to admitting mistakes here.

I'd wish Macha admitted they had also made a mistake keeping that deposit for what amounted to a rough sketch and did...

I first found Macha on an indie jewelry round-up online, loved the all-metal rings, and made a date to visit the studio and check them out in person. Bernice is a pro and the whole experience was great: she sized my finger, let me take time to see what I liked best, and then did on-the-spot estimates for a custom version of one of the designs. She also answered my questions about where their metals come from (100% recycled) and let me take a ton of photos and waver about what I really wanted. All of her work is so finely made, like tiny fierce pieces of art. A couple weeks later, after she sent photos of the finished product to make sure it's what I wanted (a version of the Stella ring), a beautiful little box was delivered. I now wear the ring every day. It is even better than I had expected! Classic, unique, and no one has one exactly like it! The BEST experience and my favorite piece of jewelry in the world--I know I'll...

My husband and I had our wedding bands custom made by Bernice at Macha Jewelry. The whole experience was fantastic and so personal. It meant a lot to us to know the artist making our rings and we wanted to support a local artist. We were so happy with the outcome and LOVE our rings. In fact my husband loves his so much that he started wearing his ring as soon as it arrived before we even got married (...eager). The rings are perfect in proportion for each of us. Since then I have visited the Macha studio numerous times and always feel so welcome and at home. It is such a beautiful space and compliments the work that is done there. I have purchased numerous Macha pieces for myself and as gifts for family and friends, many of them were custom orders making them even more precious. LOVE LOVE LOVE MACHA!!! If you get a chance I really recommend you visit the studio. It is so inspiring, the place...