I've been searching for an outlet where I could tell the truth about the horrible experience I encountered at Fair Lawn Jewelers. In December of 2005, I wanted to surprise my fiance with matching wedding bands so I decided to check out the store. I tried on a few and finally found something I really liked. I wasn't sure of my fiance's ring size so I took a rough measurement because as I mentioned before, I wanted it to be a surprise. I decided to put the purchase on layaway so I could present the ring on Valentine's Day. When I went to the counter I noticed the owner was screaming at one of his worker. I was shocked because he was really yelling at this older woman right in front of me and I thought that was unprofessional. I told the associate that helped me that he should not do that in front of customers. She agreed and proceeded to tell him what I said, he just rolled his eyes like "whatever."
I continued to look around a few more places to see if I could find something better, because I had been warned that this particular store overpriced their merchandise. I found a really unique set at another store the following month so I went to Fair Lawn Jewelers to cancel the layaway. According to the layaway contract I was entitled to a store credit in the amount I put down because it was within the 3 month period. I wasn't asking for my money back, all I wanted to do was cancel the ring purchase and get something else from the store. I put down about $400. I politely asked associate if I could purchase something else and she acted like it was a problem. I showed her what the contract said and explained that I did not want my money back, I wanted to purchase something else instead. She then call the manager and first of all, he was so rude. He told me that I had to buy the rings. He also said something about my receipt being stamped with final sale, which it was not. It's not my fault the associate was incompetent and did not stamp my receipt. If I had known it was supposed to be final sale, I wouldn't have bothered to try to cancel the purchase. I again read the policy and the owner just walked away. I have never encountered such rude and unprofessional behavior from the owner of a store. He did not try to be polite, nor did he try to accommodate me. I stayed at the store and said "Hey, it's not like I'm asking for the money back, I'll get something else." I picked out 2 pairs or white gold earrings that were way overpriced, but I just wanted to get out of there. I will never shop at this store again and in my heart, I truly believe the only reason the owner was such a jerk is the fact that I was African-American.
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