The First Place — Local services in Wichita

They had a promotion for "FREE jewelry repair and cleaning", so I thought I'd go! I needed a small stone setting, as one of the stones on my engagement ring was pushed down further than the other stones (would simply be a process of taking the stone out of the prongs and fixing it back in correctly). I went in and was not greeted, so I had to go over to the group of women chitchatting and stare about aimlessly until I got their attention. The eldest lady there, who I found out is Helen Galloway, asked if I had gotten my engagement ring from the store, and I told her I had not. She asked where I had gotten it, and I told her my fiancé purchased it online. She giggled and was shocked that buying a ring online was a thing anyone would do. She also told me I was too young to be engaged. I was veered away from her by another lady who asked about my ring nicely and told me they would have the guy in the back look at it and have it cleaned.... It was getting to about 5pm, and they closed at 5:30, so I called and asked if they would have it done today or if I would have to wait until the next day. Same older lady over the phone, again she asked me if I had gotten the ring from their store, and I said no. She said she didn't even see anything wrong with it and all they did was clean it, and it was ready. I had to rush back to the store before they closed to get my ring back, and, at this point, I was ticked off.... I go inside, and get my ring back from them, and they told me simply and nicely that some other place would have to fix it, but that they cleaned it for me. I was happy how they handle it. Lo' and behold, however, there the older lady was again. She asked the other staff "Is that the little girl who called recently?" She questioned me about my ring for a third time, and I told them I had gotten it sized at a different jeweler and then brought it here, and she laughed at me again. She told me that "next time" I should buy local and know exactly what I'm getting. At this point I had been belittled twice and laughed at three/four times. I was incredibly flustered about it, I left, and I nearly cried in the parking lot because of how upset she made me. Her bio on the website says "As soon as you walk into The First Place and meet Helen, you’ll see her bright smile, and feel her generous heart and giving spirit. She truly cares about each and every person who walks through her door." I did not feel that warm welcome whatsoever! Unless your jewelry is from their store, I would not recommend this place for repairs! However, the other staff were nice and helped me, and they calmly explained why they couldn't fix it. There was also some neat items throughout the store, but now I don't want to go back into the store because of how rudely I...

My daughter and I visited The First Place today and had such an exceptional experience in customer service that it compelled me to leave a 5 star review! (I will be making changes at my store because I've now experienced the Helen way of doing things and it is certainly worth emulating!) Helen introduced herself and was eager to meet us and get to know us. I felt like I was at my own incredibly posh Grandmother's house surrounded by beautiful treasures and her warm excited welcome! She requested that a bag be brought out, for my daughter, to pick out treats that she had specially set up in her store. Such fun for her! All of the employees were kind and welcoming to us! The items that have been curated for the store are unusual and special, so of course I found something fabulous to purchase! We will definitely be...

A lovely eclectic shop filled with exquisite items. Polite, kind hearted staff. Tried to have work done by thier jeweler, was promised a phone call a few days later to comfirm work and price, which never came. I called to check in a week after promised call never came...." We can't find your gold jewelry, let me call you back". I waited several days, THAT phone call never came. I went back to the store to chat with someone in person, jewelry was found, and again promised a follow up quote and phone call. THAT phone call never came. I went back in, took my jewelry back with me. After a month of headaches, repeated trips backm into the store, I had NO quote, no returned phone calls and no work had gotten done. This is a beautiful store to buy items directly from, but I can NOT recommend having...