Had my chain repaired. The guy from the jewelry store just called. The last link had broken, and it was possible it would need a new barrel end clasp thing. I asked how much. Guess what he told me.
Well, gee I guess it depends upon the purity, and the size of the link.
I’m going with:
$100
$69 because 69 is funny
No charge, he has hundreds of them around.
“What… you thought I was giving this Back? Hell No…! My girlfriend will Love it…!”
“Why would you call me to tell me that…?”
“Are you kiddin’…? Ima tell Everybody…! A-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!”
It probably costs him less than $10. So I’ll say he wants $3000.
I’m gonna go with ten bucks. I don’t know why, but that’s what I’m going with.
I’m guessing no charge. Here’s why.
He’s building goodwill, which is extremely important in the jewelry biz.
In some repairs, he gets to keep some little bits, which he can melt down later.
Possible? How he could not know?
A simple solder should be $10-15. A new end might be $25-$35.
I won’t put a dollar figure on it but I am going to guess a whole lot because he knows your parents.
OTOH - it could be free because the jeweler considers his work priceless.
It was the counter lady who took the chain. She asked me if I wanted to have the jeweler call me back with an estimate, and I said “no” figuring it would be about $20- $25.
Ok… it’s $84 plus tax.
Got a phone message from the jeweler saying it was his son who called me with the price. His son said I sounded a little upset, and that I should call him back and he would explain. He said there were like 3 different places needed attention before it was wear worthy. That takes a little of the sting out, but still- $84! This isn’t a big rapper chain- the whole thing would fit in a thimble with room to spare.
In related news, I’ve decided to become a jeweler when I grow up
I win.
Just got back from picking the chain up. To show what I know about jewelry, the guy said the repairs were worth it because to replace the chain would be around $1000! I was astounded as I think I paid less than $200 for it.
How long ago did you buy it?
At least 12 years ago, from HSN or QVC.
Well, the price of gold has gone from $400 an ounce to $1,300 an ounce in the last 12 years.
Did he offer you $1000 for it, or did he tell you he’d sell you an equivalent piece for $1000? Because those are not the same thing.
Neither, and I think the $1000 to replace was inflated a bit in an effort to placate me. At any rate, I’m probably further ahead than in my initial irrational reaction, which was to let him keep it rather than pay the $84.