October 2022 by Just Saying
:::NOT ALL THAT GLITTERS IS GOLD:::I purchased a mothers day gift in 2021. A pair of white-gold ($800), diamond & coral earrings, perfect for my mother. The pair of earrings are beautiful, if only they would stay the way they looked when I had purchased them (please refer to provided pictures).Of course, they did not inform me that the small bar which holds the coral beads do not actually provide support. The coral-beads had a small post on the bottom, making it look like the bar traversed the bead. However, it turns out, they were being held with glue. So, naturally, after about 2 weeks of use, the beads dislodged from the setting. I approached the "family" with this concern, and at first they were accomodating; however, on the third occassion I took them the earrings for the same repair, Juan Carlos showed his true colors.First, I inquired about elongating the support stud for the beads, which they assured me, they would lengthen (on the third occassion). They had not offered that solution previously.Even before picking up the earrings for the THIRD TIME, 'Juan Carlos' revealed they did not lenghthen the metal bar, they simply added "globs" of glue to -fasten the coral beads. I told him, "that is not what we agreed upon", and that it was simply going to "keep falling off". This was the first time I protested during the various times I had to go to them to fix the same thing. He quickly responded, "YOU, are going to tell ME, how to do MY job? YOU, do not get to tell ME, how to do my job!", with as much SASS and BRAVADO as you would expect from a street vendor when questioned about a $2 dollar transaction.This is a gift for my mother we are discussing and I was done with their excuses. So, naturally this round, I lost my temper and told him I woud be picking them up within the half-hour.When I arrived, Juan Carlos really dragged out the entire exchange. He decided he would have his fun. On a personal note, I am gay, and anyone who has dealt with this business understands 'Giancarlo' is gay as well, what I never understood was the over the top effete demeanor displayed by 'Juan Carlos' as he was introduced to me as Cristi Martell's partner (Cristi is Giancarlos mother).When I arrived at their business, in my haste to be done with it, I had forgotten the 'service ticket'. Of course, Juan Carlos milked that fact for all its worth. When I get there, after he told me to go, he tells me that they do not turn over jewelry without the service ticket; despite, just having called me, and me arriving 30 minutes later (keep in mind: 3rd repair attempt/they knew me..WELL). I simply glared at him for obvious reasons. So, he decided to keep it moving. However, what really got me; in terms of disgusting behavior, was what he did next:So, he proceeds to casually (with all the grace and poise of a Miss America pageant contestant reaching for her crown) to bring out the box with the earrings. Then, takes the earrings out of the box, and opens them up as if he was suggesting for me to put them on...lol. I can laugh now, but honestly, what I felt at that moment was not anger, but embarrasment for his "step-son", Giancarlo, who was watching the entire exchange.The last thing I expected was a rather back-handed insinuation about my masculinity, by the person (Juan Carlos) whom I first thought was Giancarlo's partner, not his mom's. As a gay man I would never try to insult someone for displaying the same mannerisms as me. Before they explain their family dynamic to me (or anyone really), most would have assumed Juan Carlos, despite his age, was Giancarlo's partner. So, his insults, really caught me by suprise. Why would you insult your own "step-son"..? Just to get at me..?PSReviewing now, because the earrings broke AGAIN. I have a reputable jeweler, who will fix them properly. I simply do not want others to go through all this, with these messy, messy people.Thank you for listening.
