Charms by the Bay

absolutely amazing customer service, super sweet young lady helped me look threw tray after tray of Pandora Charms. I am blown away at the collections they have available. We most definitely will be making this our spot to get exactly what we are looking for.

I went here for the first time today. We’ll the last time also. From somebody who owns over $ 5000.00 in Pandora jewelry don’t shop here! The woman working was so incredibly rude and pushy. She treated us like we had a disease. Even left jewelry or on the counter while she got the cleaner to spray the counter. Very offensive employee… not somebody whom I would want to represent my company. So sorry for this ignorant person!

Was down visiting Monterey last weekend, January 10 & 11, 2015. Wondered into the store to look at Pandora charms. I mentioned I liked one and before I knew what happened a rude, pushy saleswoman rang up the sale. When i apologized for what was clearly a misunderstanding she became very irritated and let it be known. I then looked at an amazing ring that caught my eye. I asked to try it on. I immediately fell in love with it and asked the price. It was $ 1500.00. I thanked her for helping me and said, unfortunately it wasn’t in my price range. She was so irritated that she didn’t even answer or acknowledge me. She grabbed the ring away from me, (making me feel like she thought I was planning on stealing it), put it away and turned her back and walked away from me. I couldn’t believe how someone in customer service could be so unprofessional, rude and down right mean. The funny part is that I truly loved the ring so much that the next day i returned to the store to buy that ring and pay monthly on my credit card, As I walked in the store that same rude sales woman gave me a dirty look. As I dealt with her letting her know I wanted to make the purchase she never said on single word to me. When I finally took all I could, I told her that I would no longer be making the purchase as in good conscience I could not make a $ 1500.00 from such a vile human being. I asked her name. No answer. I asked if she owned the shop or was just an employee. No answer. I have never experienced such a rude, mean, unprofessional sales person in my life. She practically pushed me out the door and shut it in my face. I would shop at Charms By The Bay again, but NEVER in Monterey.

I have been buying Pandora Charms here for many years. It is the only place in Monterey/​Carmel that Pandora is available. I have had mixed experiences in this place. There is a no return policy. Exchange only within seven days. The sales staff is in high turnover so I’ve never had the same person help me. It’s not a kid friendly place. Which for me is hard since my children like to choose the charms and if they don’t have what you asked for your out of luck. No ordering and ship to you.

RUDE, rude, rude. Had to buy gifts thought this would be a great place to spend money locally. Buzz.. .incorrect! Called (1030 AM), no answer, drove to location (1100 AM) to find a lady working in store knocked no answer, called (heard telephone ringing from inside the store) no answer, pounded in door window, door frame, display window. Not the decency to walk over and say we are closed, can’t help you, come back later. I was more then happy to spend hundreds $$$ at another Monterey vendor.

I was just here today and had the WORST experience ever. I went there to look at the Pandora and the lady working there was so incredibly rude. I would have bought so much from there but because of the way she was acting i left. So unfriendly and was basically pushing me out the store. She was in my face and making rude comments. Don’t even bother shopping here because of the customer service.

Octopus Ring Acquired!
SITREP
Right on Cannery Row, «Charms-​by-​the-​Sea» is a quick hop from the Monterey Bay Aquarium, right on the pier, over the waters of Monterey Bay.
THE SETUP
Speaking of which, it was the aquarium that got us into the «Cannery Row» in the first place, and just resonate karma that the event we came specifically for was the «Cephalopods» exhibit — and indeed we had a fun-​filled afternoon of swimming through the aquarium exhibits, full of beautiful squiddies, octopussies, and other amazing sea-​creatures.
«CHARMS BY THE BAY»
After we left the aquarium, we wandered down Cannery Row, not really knowing what stores and eateries were in the vicinity, but enjoying taking in the gorgeous climate and the community-​vibe highlighting the life & times of Steinbeck at every turn.
At one doorway, we were smitten with an Octopus ring in the window display (and as it turned out, the ONLY such ring in the store (…that we knew of. We DO realize that marketing forces make the apparent rare item that much more desirable — once such singular ring is acquired, another may just mysteriously take it’s place) ;)
OCTOPUS HARD TO RESIST
But the Octopus was hard to resist and so the ring WAS acquired and brought home. Bejeweled with a black pearl and diamonds, it was a beautiful ring.
SEAFARERS JEWELRY CHEST!
Besides the Octopus ring, there were so many other items worthy of a Pirate’s gaze to put in his booty chest. Necklaces, other rings, necktie pins, brooches, bejeweled candelabras, etc. And given the location, it was not surprising that at least a quarter of the items (if not more) didn’t have some sort of nautical theme or connection.
THE LOWDOWN
An exquisite stop for some great jeweled «Pirate Booty» in Cannery Row!

This is a neat little store along the strip. It specializes in charms — obviously. There are plenty of silver-​colored and gold-​colored charms representing everything and anything: professions, hobbies, sports, animals, flowers, stars, hearts, birthstones, religions, and so many more.
I walked in expecting to just browse, since I’ve been content buying my jewelry online. Plus, I already had a cute hourglass pendant that I had purchased off amazon earlier this year.
Natalie, one of the workers, came over to assist me as I was looking through the charms. I had spotted a few I liked in one of the cases towards the back of the store, and she opened the case up to read off some of the prices for me. Fortunately, the store wasn’t too busy (despite being a holiday weekend), and she was incredibly attentive while assisting me.
The charms range from about $ 15 and up. Natalie even pulled down one that was $ 100 (geez!). I ended up lucking out, as the one I had been eyeing — a cuckoo clock charm — was only $ 18. The charm was incredibly detailed, and I liked how unique it was.
While I’m not frequently into buying charms, this place is definitely worth stopping by just to browse their massive selection. I’m sure this will become a regular stop during future Monterey visits, although I might need to invest in a charm bracelet.

Came here just browsing the shops.
I think Elizabeth helped us.
She was wonderful, and incredibly helpful!
I will definitely be visiting again soon!

I wish I had the same experience as the other two reviewers. I’ve been in this store 3 times. Each time, an unfriendly, rude lady has taken care of me. I use the words «taken care of» lightly. She would walk away to tend to tourists that looked like they were loaded (looks can be deceiving). I don’t spent a fortune in here but I’ve bought $ 300 – 500 worth of Pandora each time. I’ll take my business elsewhere from now on.

My experience here is directly related to who is working. The owner sweet guy always helpful and always remembers me even if I haven’t come by in over a year, which is something to be said with all the tourists who come in. There is a crotchety older man who works here, he is rude, and if you don’t look like you have money he will ignore you and act like your request to see something is beneath him. Which is bullshit cause I look like crap most of the time but believe me I have money. All the women who work here are sweet and pretty much remember me most of the time as well.
Anyway, I love the selection this charm shop has, they have pretty much any charm you could think of and stay up to date on a lot of the newer styles, I put together mine and 2 other friends first italian charm braceletts here. My bestie did one made completely out of drink charms (cause there were that many to chose from)
I have also put together a traditional charm bracelett as well, a couple of my fav charms were a pyramid and the bottom opens up, and a coffin that opens up with a body inside… pretty badass. Also I wanted a Gary (from spongebob) charm but the only one they had, had something dangling from the bottom of it, so they used wire cutters, and cut it off then filed it down for me… its perfect! I love the products and the staff here!!!
They also carry rings in a multitude of sizes, I got a claddagh ring that had an opal in the heart… gorgeous!
I will continue to be a faithful costumer!

Now, I am not a «charm collector» by any means they are just NOT my style!
BUT, I will always love this jewelry store for a couple reasons.
First, the owner, Wally is a GREAT man. I had put a deposit on a ring for my at the time, boyfriend YEARS ago and when we decided to finally get married I went back to this shop and he still remembered that I had that credit with him, BY SIGHT! I had the receipt and did not even show it to him, he just remembered us!
I got my husband’s wedding band at this shop and it is absolutely beautiful!
My husband bought my second engagement ring and wedding band here as well (YES, I am spoiled he bought me two, one in yellow gold and one in Platinum) and we designed it together and had it made special… I GUARANTEE NO ONE has a Wedding Set like mine it is absolutely one of a kind!
The greatest part is that we can alter it with anniversaries, or other milestones by adding to it or adding a big, fat upgraded stone later on… :)
Wally really knows his jewelry and what looks good and what will hold up over time, I really suggest working with him over going to a chain jewelry store!