Getting jewelry altered/polished: Designer Vs. Independent?

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darkangel07760

darkangel07760

O.G.
Mar 27, 2009
7,248
2,663
#1
Hello! Got a question that I need people's opinions on.
I recently swapped my size 17 Love for a 19. I couldn't be happier with the looser fit, since the 17 was a tad tight anyway, I was supposed to be an 18... Anyways. Before I sent out my bracelet, I needed to get it polished. I inquired at Cartier, and it would have been at least $100 to $200 and it would take some time, such as more than a week, to get it all done. Well, I decided to take my chances and go with a local jeweler that I found on Yelp. For $25, he did the same exact job and it was done by the end of the day!

So here is my question: I have the large Tiffany Bean, and I would like to shorten the chain. I thought about going back to this jeweler, but my concern is that when he shortens it, I don't want to lose the important identifying tags at the end of the chain. Wouldit be better to send this to Tiffany's to ensure that none of the halmarks on the chain itself are altered?
Thanks!!!
 
#2
I think if you request the chain to be shortened and put in writing not to remove the tag portion, you should be fine. Make sure you are specific. I once had a beautiful chain from italy repaired and the idiot decided to solder it. What an eyesore and it cost me twice that ti fix it-again.
 
#3
it depends if you trust your local jeweller or not! I have taken tiffany pieces to be sized or lengthened etc. I usually just specify what I do and do not want done. so make sure they know you want the trademarks left on and if they cannot do it then send it to tiffany :D
 
#5
I just called Tiffany's... It is complimentary to shorten a chain! Duh. I should have remebered that from the last one they shortened. I guess I will be popping down to Tiffany's!
 
#7
Dang it!
Ok so I drove to my local Tiffany's. I sit down, discuss the length I want, and then she tells me it is going to be $30. I paused, and then said that last time I was here to get something shortened, I wasn't charged a penny. She explained that resizing is free for three months after initial purchase (which I ALSO was not aware of, so now all of you know this). I informed her that I had brought in a piece that I hadn't purchased from this store to be shortened once before, and that it was free.
I didn't say anything more, though I was quite confused. I had called the customer service number in the Tiffany's catalog before I went to the store, and the woman said shortening a chain is complimentary, and that was it. No stipulations of any sort were mentioned.
I called the same number after I had left Tiffany's (I did leave the bean there, since it will also get a complete polish to get all the scratches out, of which it has many), and the person who answered first asked me how long I had owned the piece, and I said it had been a gift about a year ago, and she said that the repair shop at Tiffany's will determine the cost of the chain shortening.
So.
I got two different answers from customer service, so THAT was kinda annoying, but I decided not to mention it to the second person I called, because nothing ever comes of it anyway.
I did get my RTT oval tag choker shortened AND super polished for free when they sent it out, and I had brought my bean in to get it tumbled at the store, which was supposed to be $15, however, when I returned that day to pick it up, they didn't charge me (and quite honestly, the tumbler didn't really do that great of a job anyway).
I guess in the end it balances out, since I haven't been charged for a service yet.
Lesson learned: stick to your fave SA. I bet ANYTHING that if Ryan had been there, she wouldn't have charged me this time either. And the tumbler isn't worth the $15.
 
#8
I have never been charge to shorten anything at T&Co and I refuse to pay for it. That to me (customer service) is what is supposed to set them apart from other lower end jewelry stores. Just yesterday I took my bean in to be shortened and the SA told me it would cost $ as well. I told her I have never paid a fee for it and she changed her mind. I don't understand why they're so inconsistent. Even the e mail confirmation they sent me (below) after receiving it states that it's free.

* Item Description: WM EP BEAN PDT 16"
* Existing Engraving: N/A
* Item Condition: WORN
* Repair Request: PLEASE SHORTEN PDT BY 1"
* Special Instructions:ONCE FINISHED, PLEASE SEND TO STORE 601-UV
FOR PICKUP

You may expect completion of your service order no
later than October 20, 2011.

Due to the nature of the repair, there will be no charge for
this service.
 
#9
NurseAnn said:
I have never been charge to shorten anything at T&Co and I refuse to pay for it. That to me (customer service) is what is supposed to set them apart from other lower end jewelry stores. Just yesterday I took my bean in to be shortened and the SA told me it would cost $ as well. I told her I have never paid a fee for it and she changed her mind. I don't understand why they're so inconsistent. Even the e mail confirmation they sent me (below) after receiving it states that it's free.

* Item Description: WM EP BEAN PDT 16"
* Existing Engraving: N/A
* Item Condition: WORN
* Repair Request: PLEASE SHORTEN PDT BY 1"
* Special Instructions:ONCE FINISHED, PLEASE SEND TO STORE 601-UV
FOR PICKUP

You may expect completion of your service order no
later than October 20, 2011.

Due to the nature of the repair, there will be no charge for
this service.
Click to expand...

When the bean comes back, I am going to call Ryan and talk to her about it. I am going to make sure that she helps me with this.
 
#12
I know this is an old thread but I have a necklace I want shortened at Tiffany's and I was wondering if anyone had any new info. I have a Sparkler and I think it would look better a little higher on my neck. I have a thin neck and it hits in a bad spot, if it sat up higher the stone would sit better. I've had the necklace for awhile but haven't worn it much, love it but it doesn't layer well, again a length issue, and I usually wear more than one necklace. Anyway any info on Tiffany's would be appreciated. I totally expect them not to charge, my local jeweler doesn't for things I buy there. They even replaced a broken 14K clasp after I had the item over a year. Tiffany's better step up, so again would like an idea of what to expect, TIA
 
#15
ginger123 said:
What baffles me is, since they're obviously shortening lots of chains, why don't they just offer 15" chains? Sigh.
Click to expand...

I don't get it either but in my case it wouldn't matter, I don't think. The Sparkler is anchored in the middle of the chain. On my way to the mall next and they better not charge me or make me wait a month to get it back!
 
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