We all have to start somewhere. My journey began with a simple desire: to find a good, solid accessory. I wanted something understated, something that just worked. That's what led me to search for a quality men's necklace with a black finish. It seemed straightforward enough, but this quest completely changed the way I shop. I discovered that the world of jewelry is riddled with pitfalls, whether you're looking at budget options or luxury items.
Learn from my mistakes. Before you spend your money, here are the key lessons I picked up along the way:
I encountered two major issues. The first happened while I was looking for a simple, everyday chain. The second arose when I tried to purchase a truly expensive gift for my father.
I wanted to buy a nice watch for my dad as a special gift. I visited an upscale authorized dealer, only to be told I couldn't simply purchase the watch. Instead, I had to join a waiting list that was two years long.
What the sales agent said next was shocking. They implied that if I bought other jewelry or watches from them, it would "help me move up the list." It felt like a bribe. They were holding a popular item hostage to pressure me into buying things I didn't want, even comparing the situation to purchasing a limited-edition Ferrari—except this watch wasn't limited at all.
I tried to build a genuine relationship. I offered to refer other clients I know who buy high-end items, given my solid track record. The manager initially seemed receptive but later backtracked, saying, "No promises on an action for an action." This kind of manipulative practice is unacceptable. They lost me as a customer—along with my entire network—for good. Their approach was purely transactional: spend more money and maybe, just maybe, they'd deliver. I walked away.
Frustrated by the luxury market, I decided to stick with simpler items. I found what looked like a great deal online for a men's black necklace link chain. The pictures were impressive, and it even came with a "lifetime warranty."
That warranty proved worthless. When the chain eventually broke, they charged me over $100 to ship it to them and another $40 to ship it back. That's not free maintenance—it's a hidden fee structure.
The worst part came when I received the repaired chain. As soon as I put it on, it felt off. I checked with a tape measure: I had ordered a 28-inch chain, but the one returned to me was only 26 and 7/8 inches. I weighed it and found it was short a gram of gold.
I had also sent in my wife's chain for repair. Hers came back shorter and lighter, too. It became clear that someone at that company was systematically stealing an inch of chain at a time. They lied about shipping dates and quality checks. Despite my repeated calls, they never returned them. This isn't how you run a business. The whole experience left me feeling completely betrayed.
Verdict: Never trust a store with vague policies or high hidden fees, no matter the price point. Dishonesty can be found at every level.