Tiffany bangle defect - Help!

[ShimmerDreamz]

Hi guys,

I was in London in December and bought a birthday present for myself. It's the Tiffany heart lock bangle in silver:

However, my birthday is in March and I only recently started to wear it. I noticed today that the on 4 of the heart locks' bottom section, the bumpy things are very smooth and not defined (unlike the Tiffany stock photos and the other 3 of the locks on the bangle).

I called Customer Services and they said because it is outside of the 30 day period, it'll be up to the manager's discretion at Old Bond Street in London. I am going back to London in early April, so plan to make a visit then and try to sort out this problem in person instead of via post. The bangle is in perfect condition without any scratches because I haven't worn it for long at all.

Am I being overly picky about this?

Is there anything I can say to the Manager to convince them to do an exchange?

I was so sure of the Tiffany quality that I didn't bother to check upon initial purchase and really am kicking myself now.

Advice on how to approach this would be greatly appreciated.

Photos on the defect. The bottom of the heart is a tad raised but lacks the defined circle thing that 3 of the 7 other locks have.

Defective locks:

What ALL of the 7 locks should look like:

 

[NurseAnn]

That is obviously a manufacturing defect. It is something that my SA would never have sold me. I hope you can find someone who is reasonable that will exchange it for you. They should have better quality control than that.

 

[TammySue]

Definite defect(s) like NurseAnn said!! When you go back, insist on seeing a Manager AND receiving a replacement.

 

[ShimmerDreamz]

Thanks guys, it's good to know that you both feel strongly about this defect too.

I guess I'm just worried that they won't accept it given the fact that it is 3 months outside of the 30 days return/exchange policy.

I haven't had to deal with Tiffany customer services yet, but have heard good things about it. Am I likely to meet resistance? (We'll be talking about the flagship Tiffany branch in London).

 

[Carnel]

They have to accept, it's clearly a defect...and a very obvious one!

 

[honeyq]

I agree with the others, they should not only take it back willingly, but give you an apology.

 

[RosiePink]

You shouldn't have any problems even outside of the 30 day period. I have a ring that would always turn a darkish brown/black color even after being cleaned by Tiffany multiple times and kindly asked if it kept happening if it could be replaced. They said it would be no problem even though at the time I had owned the ring for about a year and I rarely receive good service when shopping. It was the somerset ring with the 3 diamonds and I ended up concluding it was my self tanner that was getting stuck in the grooves and staining the ring continuously and felt silly afterwards. Upon viewing the piece they should deduce it is defective and replace it with no problems.

 

[ShimmerDreamz]

Thanks guys, I really hope it will be a positive experience. The woman on the customer service line sounded really cautious about it but maybe that was because she couldn't see just how big the faults were.

Really can't wait to go and get this sorted! It will be a pain to make a detour into Tiffany, but I want that bangle on my wrist ASAP

 

[NurseAnn]

I don't think they'll give you trouble. I once took in a pair of Somerset knot earrings to be cleaned and my SA noticed it was a little bet out of shape (my fault, I'm not careful with my things) and said "that won't do" and gave me a new pair instead of cleaning them. I'd had them for a while (1yr) and didn't ask her to do it but she couldn't stand the idea of me having imperfect earrings.

 

[ShimmerDreamz]

I don't think they'll give you trouble. I once took in a pair of Somerset knot earrings to be cleaned and my SA noticed it was a little bet out of shape (my fault, I'm not careful with my things) and said "that won't do" and gave me a new pair instead of cleaning them. I'd had them for a while (1yr) and didn't ask her to do it but she couldn't stand the idea of me having imperfect earrings.

Aw, that's really sweet of her! It sounds like you've got a really good relationship with your SA. Do you go to the same one every time?

I confess that I wanted the Bond Street Tiffany store experience since it's not local and it's the flagship in UK. So at the time in December when I got the bangle, it was absolutely crammed with people and everything was very hectic. Had to be on a 20 min waiting list in order to be served by a SA!