Returns refunds and exchanges.

Christmas is coming!

The sights. The sounds. Great food and un-wanted presents!

It happens, you get given a gift that falls a little short of the new Aston Martin you wanted. In fact it could fall short of anything that might be thought of as tasteful. What do you do? Take it back of course. But it is very important to KNOW your rights rather than state that you know your rights.

Firstly, find out what the returns policy of the seller is. Most online or mail order companies are obliged to give a 28 day returns policy without question. This is for un-used items Some items may be exempt such as goods with a short shelf life, earrings, body jewellery, cosmetics and a whole heap of other stuff. The general rule I apply is, if you had received this returned item as a gift, would you want to use it (underwear for example)?

A retail shop doesn't have the same compulsory return time. The original idea being that you have had time to try the item on, feel the quality, check it over and consider the purchase, things you can't do without seeing it physically. Most returns to retailers are at their discretion with the exceptions of faulty items, goods un fit for the purpose sold (chocolate teapot?) or anything previously agreed.

Returns rather than refunds are more widely accepted, as the retailer retains your business. Refunds hurt the finances and also, my personal opinion, I think its a little un-ethical to refund to someone who didn't purchase it.

Now, don't think you can damage something and claim a refund because its faulty. Retailers know there products. They know when they've been tampered with and can refuse both exchange or refund on this basis. You could take them to court if you wanted, but its not a nice way to be found out as a liar! I have dealt with many people doing this over the years and it only hurts them. They take away their opportunity to do what many people do with an un-wanted gift, and sell it on ebay.

Rule one when buying. Mkae sure you understand the returns policy and don't buy if you don't like it.

Rule one when returning. Understand the returns policy and be prepared for surprizes. (many people buy in sales or faulty goods). I've had more than one person try and return something purchased 9 months previous that was half price in a sale. I've even returned items to find they were on offer when purchased e.g. a £20 book that was sold as a promotion for £4, and a train set that retailed for £40 sold as damaged for £8. Small fry I know, but you get the point.

Take care

Do it right.

A very recent event has provoked this one. This is written as the result of a few thoughts.

You should always try and shine in your own right and not at the expense of others. If you try and bring others down just to make you look better, you are obviously not quite good enough.

The sure way to get ahead is to help and support others when you can. You never know, it may get re-paid. If you do it the other way, I don't think there is much chance help. This stands whether you are an individual or business.

"Never aspire to have more, aspire to be more." One of my favourites and something I try and abide by.

More of a rant, but think about it. It's easier to insult than compliment.

Thats not my ring!

"That's not my ring!" How many times have I heard that when returning a customer's repair? I've lost count. When a ring comes in for restoration when it's usually worn out. A ring may get very worn and lose a lot of metal over 10, 20, 30 or even 40 years of constant wear. When it gets returned from restoration, it should look different from when it was last seen. After all the metal from the ring has been replaced it should look a little different. It's a bit like looking at a photo of yourself from 20 years ago and then looking in the mirror (provided you are over twenty). My money is on the fact that you look a bit different. Remember this when you pick up a repair next.

This isn't always the case of course. If you have an antique piece that needs a small sympathetic repair it should be almost invisible. I know of one person who always brings up old silver-set jewellery to bright and shiny. This is purely a matter of opinion, but I think it should continue with its darkened look and continue to look old.

If you had a spoon or fork from an antique canteen of cutlery that needed a repair, would you want it returned all brightly polished? Or would you prefer a slightly duller "butler" finish. A butler finish has had minimal hard polishing to preserve the pits and scratches that have added to the pieces patina over the last 100 years. This would blend in with the other pieces much more naturally.

Never under-estimate the time and skill involved in a good repair and always remember that a fair amount of judgement is used as to the right way to approach it.

Just a quick one this time.

Great news for me!

I've recently had some great news. GIA have just awarded me a distance education scholarship for 2012. This covers the cost of the e-learning Gem Identification course. This is some very welcome financial relief for me as the strain is starting to show.

The GIA scholarship program is there to provide financial support and assistance for those who really need it. They provide funding for anything from an online course to a complete on campus program. Don't think that you will be able to apply every year and get funding. If you are successful, you can't re-apply for five years.

Please make sure that you tell anyone that may be able to benefit from this.

Take care and happy new year!