I am giving this place 3 stars because it is the average of what I really liked and what I really disliked. I have gone there in the past and have been really happy with Kathy Kirker; today I was happy with the work that Allie performed for me. Where this went south is when I tried to replace a number of watch batteries.
Upon arrival, I was greeted by a man (presumably David, the owner, that others have referenced?) and a small dog, who the man pushed back into his office twice with his foot. That bothered me, but not everyone feels the same way about animals, so it's possible that I was a bit hypersensitive to it. He directed me to Allie, who was very friendly and helpful.
When I inquired about the watch batteries, I was quoted a price of $18-$20 each. The batteries are $8-$10 and there is a $10 labor charge for each. I have never been charged labor for a watch battery replacement anywhere else, but I likely would have paid a single $10 charge, just to get it over with. I cannot, however, justify paying more in labor than the cost of the battery, for each of the watches.
As I was leaving the man asked if Allie had been able to help me. I explained that she had helped me somewhat but that I didn't replace the batteries due to the labor charge for each. He got very defensive. When I said that I could understand a labor charge for the time it took to do the work, but not what I was asked to pay, his verbatim response was "Sorry we couldn't help you. There's the door over there." I was stunned. I normally look around when I am at a jewelry store, and I actually have several stones that I need to have set, but I didn't stick around today, and I won't be returning.
Thanks to the reviews here, I found another store that does battery replacement, and charges $8-$10 per battery. Not $18-$20. They also do custom work, so I will be bringing my stones with me, to see what they can do. Perhaps because I was wearing no jewelry, and dressed in a t-shirt and shorts, the man misjudged me. I have always been a jewelry hound. I am willing to pay for what I want. He can tell me all he wants about how many people are willing to pay what he asks, and how many batteries he replaces, and how many thousands of dollars of repairs they have in the back room at any given time, but he won't be getting any more money from me. read more