I'm writing this review in 2 parts. I called the store this AM and spoke with "Angel". I asked if if I could make an appointment for tomorrow AM. She said, "We don't take appointments." I explained that my sister and I were bringing in approximately 30 pieces of gold to sell. She said, "Oh, we like large orders; I just did one a little while ago." Well, okay..I would've preferred to hear some customer focused response.... maybe something like "We'll make sure you aren't rushed and get all the info you need..."etc. I asked her what the spot rate was and after first telling me the incorrect one, she gave me another one. I then asked her if they take 10% commission and she said, "Do your research" Whatever that means..it came across as bossy, almost rude. I said, "I have; I see negative reviews for the one in Orange so that's why we are driving to Carlsbad." I hope that the appointment is better than the first impression I have of her and the business over the phone. I will report back after the appointment tomorrow and either leave the stars, subtract or add based on how it goes in person. PART 2: This location is in the mall, right next to Penneys. There are cops EVERYWHERE; we saw at least 15 and some were in bullet proof best wearing helmets! I'm told this is a high crime mall..and from the police presence I believe it! This is important since it's pretty obvious that people walking INTO the store have gold..and people walking OUT of the store have either their unsold gold or payment. We didn't have to wait for our appointment; nobody was in the store when we arrived at around noon. We ended up selling our Gold to them but if you are going, just be prepared for the experience. Angel seemed overwhelmed and flustered by the amount of questions we were asking; and at times annoyed by them. It appears they just want the customer to come in plop down their Gold and take what is offered without asking questions. At one point she spoke to her boss on the phone and then returned to us and proceeded to start to explain the conversation she had regarding the "guests" in the store..us. I said, "I don't want to hear what you said to your boss". She looked offended, and then stopped looking at me, looked at my sister and continued the inappropriate and unprofessional behavior. To receive your money, you have to have your drivers license with you and a fingerprint is taken, which Angela says is "run by the DOJ" I'm not sure the purpose of this since we left with the check and walked into a bank and cashed it within minutes of leaving AAA. Also, at the very end of a very large transaction, she hands a referral certificate to my sister and says, "You can give it to your sister and then receive 10% of the sale." Oh....so...after turning in a large amount of gold, we find out that it would have been better to come in with ONE piece, get the referral certificate and then come BACK and get an additional 10% of the sale? In our case, about $250 dollars. Also, do not be fooled by the calculations she does in front of you, and the "spot rate" amount of the gold. The key to the differences of these places is the "secret" amount they include in their formula to calculate the amount they actually pay to you, which they won't tell you because they do not want you to compare; they just want you to sit there and say nothing. If I did it again, I would get a price for one piece and while in sitting in the chair, call another Gold dealer and tell them the penny weight, the K of the piece, and ask them, "How much would you give me for that piece?" Based on the answer, either continue with the sale or leave and go to the other place. Just be prepared for this experience and proceed with caution. I did write down the K, the penney weight, and the price of each chain sold, and will take this information to another gold dealer near me to ask them how much they would pay. I will update with this information. read more
