A couple in New Mexico tried to return a gold ring with an $11,000 price tag after it had been tried on for no more than two minutes.
Thomas Gunderson said his wife had tried on the diamond-encrusted jewelry when it arrived but quickly realized it was too big.
The couple promptly returned the gold ring into its box and shipped the online purchase back to the retailer, but were shocked when Saks returned the ring and refused to give them a refund.
‘The ring was too large for my wife. She had it out of the box for literally two minutes. We returned the ring the next day. Saks received the ring, but then they sent it back to us, saying it was damaged,’ Gunderson said.
The 18-karat gold band, from the Origami Collection, is adorned with pavé diamonds and designed by David Yurman, a company founded in 1980 by artists David and Sybil Yurman.
Saks claimed that the couple had damaged the ring after discovering scratches, but Gunderson said his wife had the ring out of the box for just ‘two minutes’
The couple, in their 60s and 70s, admitted that their eyesight is ‘not the best’ and they hadn’t seen any damage. After all, the ring had only been out of the box briefly before returned to its packaging.
After taking photos of the returned ring, they enlarged the pictures to see that the ring was, in fact, damaged with scratches.
With only a brief handling of the expensive jewelry, the couple were sure they couldn’t have caused the damage and persisted with Saks for a refund.
‘I’ve gone back and forth with Saks to get a refund, and they refuse. I can’t prove I did not damage the ring, and they can’t prove that they sent us an undamaged ring, Gunderson said.
The couple speculated that the scratches appear ‘superficial’ on the gold band and could likely be buffed out.
The $11,000 18-karat gold ring, which is covered in pavé diamonds, was designed by David Yurman and sold through Saks
The State reported that Gunderson’s correspondence with Saks seemed to have ‘overlooked a few things, after Gunderson was referred to a third party who sold the ring through Saks.
That third party seller then directed Gunderson back to Saks, who had the opportunity then to file a claim with its insurance company or through the shipping company.
Gunderson, however, was simply told he had to accept the ill-fitting ring with no refund.
Saks’ return policy states that they accept returns eligible for a refund through mail or in store up to 30 days from delivery.
‘Returned items must be presented in the same condition as when they were received: unworn, undamaged, unaltered, and with original tags, packaging (if applicable) and proof of purchase,’ the retailers return policy reads.
The company recently added a $9.95 return shipping fee, which would be deducted from the refund amount once confirmed and received.
Thomas Gunderson attempted to return the ring after his wife had tried it on, but was refused a refund due to ‘damages’
Unfortunately, a retailer holds most of the power in this situation and the best way to protect yourself is to preemptively assume the worst.
The best way to protect yourself from being in a similar conundrum, is to preemptively document your delivery and return process by taking picture evidence of your items and keeping hold of any communication regarding the returned item.
It is also important to follow the return policy closely. Saks also states in their return policy that gourmet, monogrammed or personalized items cannot be returned, as well as ‘final sale’ items.
The Gunderson’s were able to get their refund eventually, after Saks Fifth Avenue was contacted by The State. A corporate escalation specialist contacted the couple and agreed to accept the return, the outlet reported.
DailyMail.com has reached out to Saks for comment.
