Warning- Landau Jewelry!

[Cristina]

^ Ditto to alliemia. There are a couple of Landau stores here in South Florida, and it's well known that they sell costume jewelry.

[2manybags]

I've been in a Landau store, and it was obvious to me it was a costume jewelry store. I feel bad the OP was unaware of this.

Originally Posted by Cristina

^ Ditto to alliemia. There are a couple of Landau stores here in South Florida, and it's well known that they sell costume jewelry.

[glamgirl84]

Hmm I see what you all are saying. I'm starting to think it's not the company itself that is at fault, but perhaps just this particular location.

There are no signs anywhere saying they sell costume jewelry, faux pearls, CZ, or anything. Perhaps it is just the particular location that is at fault- I honestly think they are trying to conceal the fact that their jewelry is fake- I went in with two friends and between the three of us we couldn't find any indications that this was "costume jewelry."

And yes, everything I saw there was relatively high priced. I didn't see anything under $150 - none of the $39 or $29 faux strands of pearls advertised on their website in this location!

[Miss Socialite]

Originally Posted by Candice0985

I would contact your BF's CC company and file a complaint...see if you can get your money back that way.....

What is this complaint going to be based on? Since this company is very forthcoming about their products the OP cannot claim he or she was 'duped' or cheated. Now if the tag and/or receipt states that they're 'genuine' diamonds and pearls, and there's a marking indicating that's it's real gold but it's determined said items are not real, then the OP would have a leg to stand on and a claim could, and should, be filed. If they do file a claim stating they were cheated it could look as if they're simply having buyers remorse and the claim could come across as fraudulent.

I'm not trying to question glamgirl's story but I can't see how it so openly says, on their website, that the items are costume but there is absolutely not one, single sign indicating that inside these stores? Just doesn't seem plausible. Sorry but that's just my opinion.

Again, I'm sorry this happened to you glamgirl but I guess it's lessoned learned, hopefully anyway.

[Miss Socialite]

Originally Posted by glamgirl84

Hmm I see what you all are saying. I'm starting to think it's not the company itself that is at fault, but perhaps just this particular location. Perhaps it is just the particular location that is at fault.

If that is in fact the case then I would contact headquarters and state your frustrations and concerns. If that store is trying to hide the fact that their goods are fake then they need to be stopped and reprimanded because that's unacceptable.

[HauteMama]

You should remind your SO to always check a place's return policy before making a purchase. I would never feel comfortable making a substantial purchase from somewhere that did not allow returns. Most places that only allow for exchanges and don't allow returns are not reputable, IMO.

[mistikat]

I have seen and been in several Landau stores and they have always been very forthcoming about the fact that what is sold is not fine (i.e., gold/diamond/precious stones) jewellery...

Sorry you had this bad experience.

[glamgirl84]

Originally Posted by Miss Socialite

What is this complaint going to be based on? Since this company is very forthcoming about their products the OP cannot claim he or she was 'duped' or cheated.

Sorry, but that's actually not the case AT ALL.

You can SAY the company is forthcoming all you like, but the fact is that THIS LOCATION has no signage ANYWHERE that says the things they sell are costume jewelry. The interior looks EXACTLY like the interior of a Zales or similar.

The claim would be based on the fact that the woman blatantly lied to my BF. He first walked in and said he was looking for PEARLS and she told him that they DID sell pearls, and to come look in the pearl case. Once he was at the case he spotted what he wanted, asked her about the necklace- she told him it had a DIAMOND and the clasp was WHITE GOLD. So yes, he CAN claim he was "duped" AND "cheated"- that's exactly what happened here.

If there is no signage in a new store letting people know that their merchandise is FAKE, then what do you rely on? The SA's honesty. The woman lied to his face and did whatever it took to make a quick buck. When an SA tells you that the $800 necklace you are contemplating purchasing is GOLD, PEARLS & a DIAMOND what is the customer supposed to do?? Bring a gemologist in with him to check? Please.

I wrote this post to let people know that an SA at this company lied to my BF (& his brother who was there too) about the authenticity of the jewelry. If you have a Landau near you that is up front about the fact that it is "costume jewelry" - then good for you. But if you don't, WATCH OUT. That's the point of my post.

Thank you to those who expressed sympathy and understand how unfair this was.

[Jayne1]

Is there any chance you can post a picture of what he bought? It does seem that he spent a huge amount of money in that store and I would like to see what that amount of money gets you.

[Candice0985]

(What is this complaint going to be based on? Since this company is very forthcoming about their products the OP cannot claim he or she was 'duped' or cheated. Now if the tag and/or receipt states that they're 'genuine' diamonds and pearls, and there's a marking indicating that's it's real gold but it's determined said items are not real, then the OP would have a leg to stand on and a claim could, and should, be filed. If they do file a claim stating they were cheated it could look as if they're simply having buyers remorse and the claim could come across as fraudulent.
I'm not trying to question glamgirl's story but I can't see how it so openly says, on their website, that the items are costume but there is absolutely not one, single sign indicating that inside these stores? Just doesn't seem plausible. Sorry but that's just my opinion.)

My point is not with the store! I have never heard of this costume jewellery company before, but if you feel you have been treated unfairly by a company your credit card company can file paperwork which investigates the stores policies and merchandise and hopefully something can be done to right this wrong, that way the purchaser is no longer bound into the contract with this company and does not have to give his or her money to that company again.....that's all.....Hopefully this all works out for you glamgirl, it's an unfortunate experience. If someone's SO is just walking down the street and decides to head into a jewellery store, and no one says anything to him about the quality and refers to CZ as "diamonds" if they dont know much about jewellery they will believe the SA! its happened many times before, I just think instead of focusing on the OP's knowledge of the brand and information on the website it would be nice to give a little sympathy..... keep us updated and let us know how it works out.

[glamgirl84]

^ Thank you candice. He's going to take it up with the credit card company like you suggested- that will give us time to work this issue out with the higher ups at landau. it will hopefully get resolved. for him to have to pay so much money for a fake is just not right. hopefully this will also result in the SA getting a talking to and some training on how to do her job without deceiving. I wonder how many others this has happened to

Jayne- the necklace is at SO's office right now but I'll have him bring it home tomorrow so I can post pics

[Toto too]

You're going about this the right way. You have to try to resolve your complaint with the store first, and keep records of who you talked to and when. Then, when you go to your credit card company, you can tell them what happened. It sounds like he was misled about what he was buying, that sounds like an absurd amount of money for costume jewelry. Good luck, I hope you get your money back!

[Miss Socialite]

Originally Posted by Candice0985

.... if you feel you have been treated unfairly....

I'm sorry but I don't see that he was treated 'unfairly'. People have said that this company is well known for it's costume jewellry. So because HE didn't know, nor did he do research, before paying a higher price for a fake, HE was treated unfairly? Did he bother to ask questions as to the quality of the pearls or diamonds? Did he ask what karat gold it was, or did he just assume it was all real? I believe the OP said he paid less than $900. Seriously?!? For a strand of pearls with diamonds?!?! That should have been his first clue that they weren't real.

Hey if they allow a his claim, more power to him. I hope it all works out for them.

[Miss Socialite]

Originally Posted by glamgirl84

We tried to get his $ back and was told that their policy is exchange only. Very frustrating since I don't want approx $900 worth of ANYTHING from that store.

Does it say that they will only do exchanges, and no refunds, on the receipt? Or is there a sign in the store stating their return policy? If not I'm pretty sure they have to refund you the money. Stores must have their return policy in full view for their customers, whether it be on their receipts and/or in their stores.

[envyme]

Here is the return policy listed on their website:

http://www.landaujewelry.com/s.nl/sc.5/category.56/.f

Quote:

Return Policy If for any reason you decide not to keep the costume jewelry you have ordered, you may return it within 30 days of receipt of purchase for a refund. Minaudieres and pillboxes carry a 10 day return policy. Please call us at 800.340.1310 for a Return Authorization Number and special instructions before returning minaudieres, pillboxes and objets d'art. Please note that we cannot accept returns on Special Orders. Merchandise must be unworn and undamaged. Refunds will be issued in the same manner the original purchase was made. We will refund the purchase price. Shipping and handling is not refundable. Please return the merchandise with the return form (found on the back of your packing slip), pre-paid and insured via a trackable carrier (UPS, Fedex, DHL or Airborne) to: Landau Direct 727 N. Meadow Street Allentown, PA 18102 If you have misplaced your packing slip/return form, please include your name, address, email address, day and evening phone number along with the merchandise. We will notify you via email when we have processed your return. If you choose to return webstore merchandise to one of our store locations, you may receive store credit, but not a money-back refund. LandauJewelry.com cannot accept returns for merchandise purchased at our boutiques. Please return that merchandise to the store from which it was purchased.