[coffeebean]

About six months ago, Arden's Jewelers quoted me a price of $25 to change a watch battery. I went elsewhere and had the battery changed in a jewelry store at the Millenia mall. They charged me $14 which was about the same I used to pay in New Jersey.

The latest rip off by Arden's Jewelers was a quote to repair the very end link of my ankle bracelet that had the gold wear thin and broke through. I was quoted $57 for the repair which was to solder the link of broken gold. I went elsewhere for another quote.

I received a quote from Brownwood Jewelers to repair my ankle bracelet. This jeweler will replace the broken gold link with 14K gold and will also replace the connecting ring on the other end of my ankle bracelet with 14K gold as it is also wearing thin. The parts and the soldering will cost a total of $47.

Why is Arden's Jewelers so expensive? I asked the person who gave me the quote at Arden's that question and was told, "That is what he charges". OK then. Arden's will never get my business!

[Bogie Shooter]

Isn’t that how it works?

[thelegges]

Sometimes it’s not about the cost, but the repair itself. When a regular watch that need a battery change I find that the battery lasts longer from certain jewelers.

[skip0358]

I happen to prefer Arden's. Find their staff very friendly & helpful. As for price so I pay a little more their quality is top notch. Had a piece replaced by them thru the manufacture that others had told us we had to buy a replacement for.

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

About six months ago, Arden's Jewelers quoted me a price of $25 to change a watch battery. I went elsewhere and had the battery changed in a jewelry store at the Millenia mall. They charged me $14 which was about the same I used to pay in New Jersey.

The latest rip off by Arden's Jewelers was a quote to repair the very end link of my ankle bracelet that had the gold wear thin and broke through. I was quoted $57 for the repair which was to solder the link of broken gold. I went elsewhere for another quote.

I received a quote from Brownwood Jewelers to repair my ankle bracelet. This jeweler will replace the broken gold link with 14K gold and will also replace the connecting ring on the other end of my ankle bracelet with 14K gold as it is also wearing thin. The parts and the soldering will cost a total of $47.

Why is Arden's Jewelers so expensive? I asked the person who gave me the quote at Arden's that question and was told, "That is what he charges". OK then. Arden's will never get my business!

The small jewellery store in Southern Trace is family owned, they do good work and their prices are excellent. However, there is also a watch man at the Market of Marion who is excellent, he does all our watches and jewellery repair. I believe his watch battery's cost about #5.00. Arden's has always been known as a top of the line Jeweler, hence the pricing.

[Challenger]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

About six months ago, Arden's Jewelers quoted me a price of $25 to change a watch battery. I went elsewhere and had the battery changed in a jewelry store at the Millenia mall. They charged me $14 which was about the same I used to pay in New Jersey.

The latest rip off by Arden's Jewelers was a quote to repair the very end link of my ankle bracelet that had the gold wear thin and broke through. I was quoted $57 for the repair which was to solder the link of broken gold. I went elsewhere for another quote.

I received a quote from Brownwood Jewelers to repair my ankle bracelet. This jeweler will replace the broken gold link with 14K gold and will also replace the connecting ring on the other end of my ankle bracelet with 14K gold as it is also wearing thin. The parts and the soldering will cost a total of $47.

Why is Arden's Jewelers so expensive? I asked the person who gave me the quote at Arden's that question and was told, "That is what he charges". OK then. Arden's will never get my business!

I had a similar experience with Ardens. My remedy= never shop there again.

[jthom46287@aol.com]

I worked in Jewelry stores over many years and can tell you that you were wise to shop around. Arden's is the most expensive with the poorest customer service. Frankly $25 for changing a watch battery is outrageous.
As another resident said the solution is not to spend your money theres.

[jthom46287@aol.com]

Higher prices most often do not equal higher quality, just higher profits for the jeweler.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

About six months ago, Arden's Jewelers quoted me a price of $25 to change a watch battery. I went elsewhere and had the battery changed in a jewelry store at the Millenia mall. They charged me $14 which was about the same I used to pay in New Jersey.

The latest rip off by Arden's Jewelers was a quote to repair the very end link of my ankle bracelet that had the gold wear thin and broke through. I was quoted $57 for the repair which was to solder the link of broken gold. I went elsewhere for another quote.

I received a quote from Brownwood Jewelers to repair my ankle bracelet. This jeweler will replace the broken gold link with 14K gold and will also replace the connecting ring on the other end of my ankle bracelet with 14K gold as it is also wearing thin. The parts and the soldering will cost a total of $47.

Why is Arden's Jewelers so expensive? I asked the person who gave me the quote at Arden's that question and was told, "That is what he charges". OK then. Arden's will never get my business!

I have lost several ankle bracelets. They catch on things and are easily lost. I don't wear good ones anymore.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I have lost several ankle bracelets. They catch on things and are easily lost. I don't wear good ones anymore.

I have been wearing an ankle bracelet for about 30 years and have not lost one. The one I'm wearing now was "lost" for a short time until I found it when I moved to sofa to vacuum.

I guess I've been lucky all these years.

[Villagevip]

I imagine, one may spend a slight monetary percentage increase at The Villages retail establishments..This, for the convenience and luxury of arriving in a golf car...Also, I must say, the proprietors of such retail establishments, realize that some of our residents are captive of their choice of lifestyle, and or of our lovely surroundings..Residing in The Villages, is an very insular experience, and many residents may not relish the idea of exiting the sanctuary and security of this prosperous, beautiful unique community, for the sole purposes of commerce..However, one must keep in mind one may recieve what one pays for, more or less in many, or all consenting monetary transactions...All of this and more, for the ease, enjoyment, peace and harmony of daily living, in The Villages..

[red tail]

I wear an expensive watch and I really don't worry about the price of a battery. when they replaced my battery my watch was treated as an expensive piece of jewelry and the service was outstanding. These people complaining are the same people that complain about no high end resturants around. well this is a high end jewelry store and we should be happy to have them.

[billethkid]

Nothing is ever lost at our house. Just temporarily missing until we ultimately find it.

Standard answer to my wife when she says she has lost something? Answer.....it is not lost you just have not found it yet! 9+ out of 10 always gets found....at some point.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by Villagevip

I imagine, one may spend a slight monetary percentage increase at The Villages retail establishments..This, for the convenience and luxury of arriving in a golf car......

The second jeweler I received a quote from is in Brownwood. I imagine his monetary percentage is the same as Arden's.

I just want to reiterate.......Arden's quoted me $57 to solder the existing broken gold link. Brownwood Jewelers is going to replace both ends of links with 14K gold (including the removal of worn gold parts and soldering). Arden's is ridiculous with their price point. IMHO, anyone willing to pay the exorbitant fees Arden's charges for jewelry repair is not doing their research.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by red tail

I wear an expensive watch and I really don't worry about the price of a battery. when they replaced my battery my watch was treated as an expensive piece of jewelry and the service was outstanding. These people complaining are the same people that complain about no high end resturants around. well this is a high end jewelry store and we should be happy to have them.

Sorry, but I don't want to be "taken" by any retailer. I feel I have more smarts than that.