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:

Bettie of Batesville, AR October 20, 2008

Bettie of Batesville AR (10/20/08)
We purchased my wedding set from Friedman's. We also purchased the lifetime insurance for the ring set. Both Friedman's in Batesville(Independence County) and Searcy(White County) closed. We can't take the rings anywhere for inspection. Friedman's broke their agreement on the insurance policy. Can we try to get our money back on the policy.

Natalie of O' Brien, FL October 17, 2008

In December 2006 my fiance purchased a 1 and a half carat white gold diamond ring from Friedman's Jewelers in Lake City, FL. He also purchased the N.E.W. 2 year protection plan. The ring is absolutely gorgeous, however, I noticed a small white spot in one corner of the center stone. I thought that it was my ring's trademark. No diamond is perfect!

The bottom of the band had gradually become yellowed just due to normal wear and tear. Well, in March of this year we went in to the store in which he had bought the ring. We had it sent off to have the rhodium coat redone.We were promised that my ring would be back on or before 4 weeks from the date we brought it in.

During this time the Friedman's store closed. And what was Friedman's became Whitehall Jewelers. The Whitehall employees knew nothing about my ring that had been sent off weeks before, nor could they seem to get any information from the 800 number they were left to call about Friedman's customers' jewelry. It was 5 weeks before I finally received my ring!

After observing the ring I noticed that my entire ring now looked more yellow than just the bottom of the band did before I sent it off! I also noticed a small spot where it looked like some of the rhodium had spilled over and whoever was working on it did not clean it off. I just decided to let this go and hoped that I would not have to send my ring off again for anything else.

On Friday, October 10, 2008 I noticed that one of the accent stones had fallen out of my band. I was not looking forward to having to go through sending my ring off again. But I called the 800 number that I was given so that I could file a claim to have my ring repaired for free under my protection plan. I was told by the employee to fax my receipt information, name, address and phone number to a customer correspondence number and that someone would get back with me within 2 days. I sent the fax on Saturday October 11th. I decided to call the 800 number again on Tuesday to see if they had received my fax. The employee on the line had no information for me. She then told me I would be contacted within 3-5 days. These people are very good at giving you the run around.

I've felt very uneasy about sending my engagement ring this time. So I decided today (10/16/08) that I would take it to a local master jeweler to have my ring looked at. The master jeweler told me that my ring looked yellow because they completely removed the rhodium and just polished it! They didn't even put a new rhodium coat on my ring, which is why it was sent off in the first place!

And what I thought was a little rhodium spilled over on to one of the accent diamonds was actually from a sautering iron! Apparently that diamond had fallen out while they were supposed to put a new coat of rhodium on my ring. They replaced it and then sautered around the diamond to hold it in place!

And one last thing. The 1/2 carat center stone's trademark white spot was actually a chip in the diamond that the master jeweler discovered! He said that the prongs had been put on too tight when the company set the diamond!

I'm extremely disappointed with the Friedman's Jewelers/ N.E.W. Jewelry Protection Plan system. I hope no one else has to go through what my fiance and I have gone through with these companies. If nothing else, I hope our experience prevents anyone else from sending their jewelry off! It doesn't matter how much you payed for a protection plan. It's not worth it!

Kevin of Huntington Station, NY October 9, 2008

Kevin of Huntington Station NY (10/09/08)
I bought an anniversary ring for my wife about a year ago. I have been paying on the ring. I went to the friedmans website to make my payment and could not access their website. I finally read on the internet that a lot of their stores were closed down. I am trying to make payments and can't. I don't want to ruin my credit simply because I can't access the website or find a phone number to call.

possible credit rating damage.

Debra of Lucedale, MS October 7, 2008

Debra of Lucedale MS (10/07/08)
My husband bought me a beautiful 2 carat princess cut engagement ring in white gold. 6 months later we had to go back because my finger stayed raw and broke out. we settled for a 1 1/2 yellow gold ring ,well the stone on wedding band came out. We went back and they repaired, we have the insurance. Now another stone has fell out and they are out of buisness and no one seems to know how I can contact them.

I have only had this ring for a year maybe and this is the second time a stone has came out. My husband is a hard worker and wanted me to have the best and never worry. how can people sell you something with insurance that you pay dearly for, and not have to honor that?

I have 6 stones on my band, one has fallen out again and it looks bad and also snags on everything. breaks my heart.

Keytwanna of Gainesville, FL October 7, 2008

Keytwanna of Gainesville FL (10/07/08)
I purchased a bridal set and I was overcharged and product is damaged and defaulted and I have had to get it repaired twice and now it is broken again. I have lost stones out of it. The band has broken twice. I paid 3285.00 for it and this is too much to have something so beautiful be so lowsy.

Ryan of Canton, TX October 6, 2008

Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.

Share		Follow us on Twitter.

Back to the top |