Warning:Diamonds International

[mcgrawfan]

I am going to make a LONG story as short as possible. This happened to my parents but it was on another cruise line. They purchased a diamond ring at the Diamonds International in Cozumel. After having an appraisal done after coming home, the quality was greatly different than what DI had told them. My mom has contacted DI many times and at first they got back to her and told her if she sent back the ring they would look at it and refund her money. They sent her a mailing label and she sent it back. It has been over a month since they have received it (the package had delivery confirmation) and DI has not called nor returned any of my mom's calls. During all of this she also contacted the cruise line, but they have not been doing much to help either. The cruise line is suppose to stand behind the stores that they reccommend. She also contacted her credit card (Disney Visa) to dispute the charge. She sent them all of her information and they credited her card. I just wanted to let people know what happened. Many people go on cruises and get great deals on really nice jewelry. My parents never would have thought anything like this would have happened. Hopefully this will not happen to anyone else.

 

[mmouse37]

Your mom's story is not the first time I have heard of this.....I, personally, would never purchase an expensive piece of jewelry in the islands.....too much risk for my taste. I know people love to shop for jewelry but I can't do it.

I would much rather pay more and have the the ability to go back to the store face to face if something went wrong.

I am glad the credit card company came through....a good lesson. Always use your credit card when traveling and buying bigger ticket items.

 

[staceymerrill]

caveat emptor , especially when buying diamonds in the islands.....Best place anywhere to buy a diamond is from a reputable dealer on 47th St in NYC - Iannelli Diamonds being the best....

watches are a different story, since they are easy to compare prices...it is what it is.....a diamond's value is highly subjective ....

I bought a Concord watch at Boulchands in St Maarten on an Eastern cruise right after 9/11 - i got a fabulous deal...a couple hundred $ less than any Internet price....

 

[mcgrawfan]

I am the OP. My cousin who was with my mom has purchased a lot of diamonds on crusies and has got GREAT deals. For a novice cruiser, if a cruise line backs a store one would think it would be a "safe" place to shop. I know I did on my first cruise and I am sure many people do.

 

[East Coaster]

We were on a Disney Cruise in May and I left home with Diamonds in my eyes, thinking I was going to get a real bargain at Diamonds International or somewhere else. I did my homework before I left Canada and found out that jewelry is much more expensive at this place and other places I shopped in the Bahamas. In fact the jewelry on the boat was cheaper!

I have decided on future cruises I will not even bother going into a jewelry store. I was planning to treat myself to a nice piece of jewelry when we got home as I did not spend $100 in total on myself on the last trip, however, we had soo much fun on the first cruise that I will leave the jewelry in the store and book another cruise for next May.

 

[Muushka]

She also contacted her credit card (Disney Visa) to dispute the charge.
She sent them all of her information and they credited her card.

That is awesome! Just wondering, if someone had used a debit card, would they have had this type of recourse? (I have heard that they are improving. I don't have a debit card, but so many others do).

Thank you for the warning.

 

[Regina]

DD is getting married in November. I asked her if she wanted me to pick up jewelry for the Bridesmaids while we were cruizin'. I got three pairs of ruby studs in Curacao. Since I was buying "in bulk" I got all of three for a bit under $200.00 total.

I was a bit concerned about buying them in the first port, but was very happy that I did. We went to DI in Mazatlan and thought that their prices were ridiculously high.

I hope that this gets worked out. You do have a certain comfort level when going to the recommended shops. It's a shame that it's still "buyer beware" at the stores you're told that you can trust.

 

[Kez250]

When we were in Aruba we went to DI and struck a deal with the guy there - it cost them money to process the credit card - and since we were buying a large emerald & diamond ring the difference was substantial between cash and credit card - the agreement we made was that we gave them our credit card details - we went to NYC and got the ring appraised - if the ring was worth what we were going to pay for it then when we got back to houston (1 week later) we would send them a check and they would tear up the credit card slip if not and we returned the ring they would also tear up the credit card slip

Basically the ring is worth a little more than we paid for it and we sent them a check as promised - I was amazed that they agreed to this method of doing things and was pleasantly surprised when the appraiser (yes I made a point of going to a reputable and renowned in fact at one time he was the chariman of the NYC chapter of gem appraisers) told me the ring was worth what we had hoped.

This is my experience with DI - i know that it doesn't help people who have been unhappy with their service - but i thought you should see both sides

K.

 

[bobsuzla]

In regards to the Debit card, check with your bank, but you are generally guaranteed the same coverage due to the visa or mastercard logo on your card. I work in a bank, so I know this is true for us, I assume that it is industry standard, and there are not only bank policies in place but federal regulations as well... Hope this helps!!!

 

[FreeTime]

We also purchase a ring from DI in May, and have planned on getting it appraised and haven't done so yet. Now I am fearful to! We purchased the Pastport as we were anticipating this purchase and DI wouldn't take the coupon! I complained to DCL about this since they are pushing the book onboard!

 

[LAMPSKIES]

If you had DIS travel insurance and you purchased it at a DCL recomended store it IS guarenteed for I believe 60 days after purchase...... I have a rolex and wanted to purchase a "clone" for my DW on our Western sailing and the pricing was with in a couple of hundred bucks of what I could buy one for at the local jewler.....so I passed and purchased one here in Indiana......if it's not "legitt" I could go back and "slap" the guy!!! LOL

 

[kplatt]

I shopped in Charlotte Amalia on my first visit to St. Thomas, and felt that I'd found the TRUE Pirates of the Caribbean!!

Karen
Wonder 11/01
Magic 3/02
Magic 11/02
Carnival Destiny (don't ask) 12/03
Magic Eastbound Panama Canal 8/05

 

[Woobie]

Diamonds International was HIGHLY recommended to me by the DCL rep, too. After visiting almost every one in St. Thomas & St. Martin, we went to Cardow. The quality at DI was VERY poor comparatively speaking. Any flaws were very visible & black. At Cardow, any flaws were less visible & white (comparing same quality scales). DI was more interested in the sale vs. the quality/satisfaction. I'm very happy with my diamond earrings we got at Cardow.

Woobie