Friedman's Jewelers

Friedman's is the third largest jewelry retailer in the country. The Georgia-based company likes to say it is the largest chain within the 20 Southeastern and Midwestern states where most of its 681 stores are located.

Friedman's Jewelers • Credit & Billing • Loose Stones • Refund Policy • Sizing & Repair --- News • Friedman's Files for Bankruptcy • Florida, Tennessee Sue Friedman's • Texas Sues Friedman's • Friedman's Faces Class Action Suit

The company says it has established itself as the "Value Leader" by offering a broad array of quality merchandise at competitive prices. It has also skillfully located its stores in high traffic locations where its target audience shops. All this sounds great, although not all of Friedman's customers are dazzled by the service, quality and refund policies.

There've also been some questions about the chain's financing policies, including a class-action lawsuit and a challenge by the Attorney General of Texas.

Here are a few of the more recent complaints we've received:

Elizabeth of Statesville, NC October 24, 2008

Elizabeth of Statesville NC (10/24/08)
Within the last month I started getting calls from Vital Recovery Services for an outstanding debt with Friedman's Jewelers. I have never had an account with this store and immediately called the collector back. I was not able to speak with a person until today, a month into calling on a daily basis to resolve this. The debt is from 1995! Yes, thirteen years later I'm getting the first calls about this charge. The lady stated it was for three hundred and some odd dollars, but they'd settle for a lesser amount. I was not old enough to establish a credit card in 1995 and have never had a credit card because I was raised with the belief that if you can't pay for it with cash, you don't HAVE to have it. So, when the lady asked if my parents or someone in my household would have used my information to obtain jewelry I was thrown off guard, not to mention very offended.

No one can tell me where this account was established, what was purchased, if any bills were ever paid or why I'm just now being contacted about this debt. I've looked online and there is nothing listed for a contact for their corporate office and the nearest Friedman's store is a few towns over, and in a location that I have never shopped in. It's quite strange that I've never heard from this retailer until recently through their collection agency, I've had the same number (that they called on) since 1999 and in the last month they now call everyday, but I when I attempt to find out the source of this charge no one can assist me.

I am a hound dog about my credit report and, when checking it every time in the past, this charge was never on there. Now, the collector is telling me they are reporting it and I know it will effect my credit. If I'm having this difficult a time finding out where the account was established and it's taken them 13 years to contact me, I know that getting it resolved and off my credit report will be even more challenging. They could, according to the lady I spoke with, report it as not paid since 1995.

Steven of San Antonio, TX October 21, 2008

Steven of San Antonio TX (10/21/08)
I purchased a ring for a high school girlfriend back in 2000 for a little more than 100. I opened an account with Friedman's to get a 10% discount. I put the amount on the card, and when i got the bill i went to the store and paid off the account, and closed the account that day. Come to find out in 2005 after joining the military and trying to buy a home, there is was on my credit report, and amount past due of 187 and some change.

I disputed this through freecreditreport and they informed me they could not locate the store the purchased was made from, and friedman's had no records from when the store had closed. Therefore they could not remove it from my account and it would stay until it was paid in full. I contacted friedman's and they informed me they could not pull the records, since that store had closed in 2002. I asked if this could be resolved because i never spent more than 100 at the store and they were trying to charge me 187. They told me that it needs to be paid in full to be resolved.

I know it hurts my score, but they still have not recieved their money for the purchase i did not make! This company sounds very scandolous, and if they do not resolve this, they will not get the money!

This event has caused my credit score to not be as well as it should be! I would like to have this resolved to improve my credit rating.

Steven of San Antonio, TX October 21, 2008

Steven of San Antonio TX (10/21/08)
I purchased a ring for a high school girlfriend back in 2000 for a little more than 100. I opened an account with Friedman's to get a 10% discount. I put the amount on the card, and when i got the bill i went to the store and paid off the account, and closed the account that day.

Come to find out in 2005 after joining the military and trying to buy a home, there is was on my credit report, and amount past due of 187 and some change. I disputed this through freecreditreport.com and they informed me they could not locate the store the purchased was made from, and friedman's had no records from when the store had closed. Therefore they could not remove it from my account and it would stay until it was paid in full.

I contacted friedman's and they informed me they could not pull the records, since that store had closed in 2002. I asked if this could be resolved because i never spent more than 100 at the store and they were trying to charge me 187. They told me that it needs to be paid in full to be resolved. I know it hurts my score, but they still have not recieved their money for the purchase i did not make!! This company sounds very scandolous, and if they do not resolve this, they will not get the money!!

Kathy of Lakewood, CA October 21, 2008

Kathy of Lakewood CA (10/21/08)
We have purchased 16 items from Crescent Jewelers between 07/06/01 and 12/30/06. We purchased the diamond and/or gold lifetime warranty bonds on each piece. We have honored the contract requiring an inspection every 90 days. When Crescent stores were sold to White Hall Jewelers they 'honored' the bonds for Crescent customers. Now all of the White Hall Stores are going out of business too. We were told they will no longer service our jewelry.

I have tried numerous contact numbers to obtain information, only to find Friedmans is only servicing the 2 yr contracts and provides contact information for folks with credit accounts. We purchased our items in full at the time of purchase. Therefore we are left holding the bag on useless Lifetime Diamond and Gold Bond Warranties.

Now we own jewelry that we cannot have serviced, repaired, inspected, or cleaned by the seller that ensured repair, replacement or refund of our purchases. What recourse do we have to see justice? We kept our end of the contract!

Margaret of Moncks Corner, SC October 20, 2008

Margaret of Moncks Corner SC (10/20/08)
I took my wide whitegold wedding band in to be sized.Was told that i would be called when they were finished.Never heard a word went to check on it and they had gone out of business. never contact me or wrote me to let me know how i could get my ring back.I will be contacting a lawyer if this matter is not resolved.Thanks

It has cause a lot of heartache because my husband purchase that wedding band for me he has since passed away and i would like to have back.

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