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:

Ryan of Canton, TX October 6, 2008

Ryan of Canton TX (10/06/08)
My wife (at the time fiancee) and I went to Friedmans in Athens, Texas and bought two rings (my ring and another to go with her engagement ring). We had been advised by family to get an apprisal on the rings so that we could claim the rings on homeowners/renters insurance if needed. We opened a credit account and bought the rings.

Several weeks later, we finally received the appriasal for her ring while still waiting to receive mine. We called the store only to find it was closed and then called the Friedman's themselves and talked to whatever company was handling there stuff. They told us the appriasal was mailed out but we have yet to recieve it. We're still paying on the rings but, I want my appriasal before I finish paying off the account. They still maintain they don't have the appriasal nor do they have a copy of it.

In the mean time, I'm not paying the final 30 or so until I get the appriasal. I can not claim my ring on my homeowners/renters insurance. If something were to happen, I would not be able to get either reimbursed or be able to buy a replacement.

James of Orlando, FL October 3, 2008

James of Orlando FL (10/03/08)
I bought a 150+ set ruby earings w/pendant in 2006 for my girlfriend. I wanted to pay cash but was asked to open a credit card account for an additional 20% off I figured there was no harm and it was a good deal. when I got the 1st bill I paid it in full. A few months went by and than I got a letter in the mail saying I owed like 5 bucks and my account was over due. I took the letter to the store and spoke with the manger He was nice and said he was very sorry. He told me they would take care of it right away.

If I remember I also closed my account that day. I thought it was strange in todays computer age he hand wrote the problem in some kind of ledger book and said it was taken care of. I got another letter in the mail and it stated I owed even more money for late fees.I called about the problem I was told it takes time to get in the system. I never got another letter again. I thought the problem was corrected. come to find I was very wrong

than in Sept. of 2008 I ran my ferr credit report and found that I have a 0 balance and a negative mark on my credit report for not paying. All this over 5 bucks I have perfect credit except for my friedmans account. I tryed to call the store thats been there for years to find the whole company went under and has been in trouble for the same kind of things and now I am very very mad and don't know what to do. I wish I knew how to fix this problem. I hope you can please help me.

Mrs. of Morgantown, WV September 29, 2008

Mrs. of Morgantown WV (09/29/08)
My husband purchased my diamond solitaire engagement ring from Friedman's prior to a trip to New York City several years ago so he could propose on top of the Empire State Building while we were there on business. He also purchased a lifetime warranty with the ring.

I noticed yesterday that the ring felt very sharp when it touched my skin, only to look down and see the ring without the diamond. I now have no way of repairing or replacing the ring since Friedman's is no longer in business. That's a horrible let-down since one assumes that a LIFETIME warranty will be for a lifetime.

I had a 900.00 ring but the value of it to me was not able to be measured.

Nathaniel of Oak Grove, KY September 29, 2008

Nathaniel of Oak Grove KY (09/29/08)
Last year i bought my Fiance a ring set with the protection plan on it and the stone fell out. I have searched for a number or something i could call to get the ring repaired but have had no luck in finding anything, tho i am afraid of searching any more and sending this ring off for repairs due to ppl saying they arent getting it back. Please give me some options

Carole of Greenville, NC September 27, 2008

Carole of Greenville NC (09/27/08)
My husband purchased a 1.0 diamond Melrose Diamond Engagement/Wedding ring from Regency Jewelers on March 1st,1997. It carried a Limited Lifetime Diamond Warranty if cleaned and checked every 6 months. Regency was purchased by Friedman's a few years ago, who honored that warranty. When I went in earlier this month to get my ring checked and cleaned, I was told Friedman's had gone bankrupt and my diamond warranty is useless; if the stone falls out, it is no longer warranteed.

Possible loss of diamond, inconvenience of searching for new jeweler to check and clean ring--with no warranty provided.

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