Gold Town

I was denied service! I have never given a poor review — people have bad days, but I have to share my experience with Gold Town in Poway. What a weirdo… I walked in for a standard watch battery replacement. While he was replacing the battery, I was making small talk with the guy to see if he was the owner… how long he’d been in business.etc. He mentioned he had a lot of experience. 27 years in the business, and had moved from RB to Poway about 18 months ago so I thought ok, seems like he knows his stuff, and so I asked him if he could solder my wedding band and engagement ring which had come apart after I dropped it. He took a look w/​his thick magnifying glasses/​lenses and asked where I had it soldered in the first place. he told me how he and the guy I had gone to before go way back etc… etc. and that the jewelery bus. is a small world. He quoted me $ 30, then said — no make it $ 25. THEN he says to me, it’s not a CZ it’s a diamond, right? um… that’s my 1Carat wedding ring set. I thought it was odd that he would even ask that after he took a close look at it. Couldn’t he tell? It’s definitely the real deal — I have the appraisal from 2 other jewelers and paperwork to prove it’s quality. So I said, of course it is, why are you going to switch it? To this he became offended but I wouldn’t have known with how he continued with the small talk. He mentioned he how jewelers just don’t do that and ‘believe me, I don’t need to do that’. He proceeded to finish up with my watch, and then I asked how long it would take for the soldering — His exact words: I don’t have time. [Mind you there was absolutely no one in the store at 2 in the afternoon on a weekday] I said, what? really? He said… no — you don’t trust me. When you come back again, and you trust me, I’ll do it [jaw dropped]. Sorry about that — take care. I paid for the watch battery and left thinking… why would I EVER come back after you just denied me service and couldn’t even tell if my diamond was real or not? The guy had a striking resemblance to Ron Jeremy anyway — kid you not. I don’t recommend this place with the cocky attitude of the owner. Sorry Gold Town — not coming back.

I’m shocked by some of the «reviews» I’ve read. I’ve been going to Gold Town and getting great help from BJ the owner since the early 90’s when it was in the old Home Fed Bank building. I’ve bought a number of things over the years and was happy every time. He even helped me buy and sell some Canadian gold coins. I’ve always appreciated his direct approach which could be mistaken for being short with you. But I swear by Gold Town. It’s the only place I’ll go for jewelry.

Got a coupon in the mail for $ 5 watch battery. He has little inventory and he scared me a bit … Didn’t seem
Like a traditional jeweler and wouldn’t buy anything of substance from him. But thought for repairs and watch batteries he’d be fine. Well… after stopping at his store not once, not twice but three times he wasn’t open during his normal business hours. Won’t try again. For 5 bucks more there’s a jeweler in the same complex who actually knows his stuff and is open during his posted hours

Gold Town has been repairing jewelry and watches for me for years from their old location in Rancho Bernardo. Thankfully, I just found their new location opposite Albertsons in the Target Center on Pomerado Rd. Got my old watch up and running again for $ 5. Thank you.

got a ring made here not to long ago. has a good selection. nice guy. i will be hack for shure.

Very nice selection of second hand Rolex and Movado and friendly customer service. Highly recommended.

I went in to get my ring finger sized and the owner got rude with me and said «People just want me to size them then they buy on the Internet and come back to complain the size was wrong. So I can’t size you unless you buy here». As far as I know a size 10 is a size 10, etc. no matter where you go. Sizes are standard. I would have paid him 5 bucks even just to make him happy but he had to get bent out of shape.

One star is too much
He tested my gold chain and told me it was gold plated and offered me $ 50.
I was about to leave and he tested it again and discovered it was 14K gold
He offered me $ 380
I left.

DO NOT GET SCAMMED BY GOLD TOWN
So I’m trying to compose myself enough to write this review. My dear boyfriend, who works very hard for his money as I’m sure every one does, visited Gold Town and spoke to BJ the owner. After going through a really hard 3 yr divorce our funds were limited. Non the less I ended up spending over 9 thousand dollars. My boyfriend purchased an engagement ring with a solitaire diamond and several small diamonds down the side. BJ told my boyfriend over and over what a GREAT deal he was getting for the monies being spent. We were originally referred to this business which was the final reason to purchase from Gold Town. I paid $ 6000.00 dollars cash as BJ told him if he paid cash he would not charge him tax, (shady I say) But my boyfriend did so. He asked for an appraisal and receipt to which he still to date has not received one.
I was given my ring and loved it, however I am very hard on my jewelry and mentioned I would like a thicker/​wider band. My boyfriend told me to bring it back as BJ assured him he would stand behind his work and if I wanted something different, he would not mind changing it out. When I visited the store I was not comfortable at all. You have to be buzzed in. There was nothing in the jewelry cases. His store was not pleasing at all to say the least but I stayed positive. I spoke to BJ myself and explained I wanted something thicker for a band. I explained to him, I wanted something I would want to wear for the rest of my life. After he spoke over me for several minutes, he agreed. I actually showed him a picture of a ring and band that I loved on my iphone. He said, oh yes I can make that for you, I am an excellent jeweler and no one can make jewelry like myself. He asked me to email the picture to him as I did the same day. I visited the store again a week later to view the wax up of the ring. I was a little skeptical as it did not look symmetrical nor did the prongs look even. I mentioned this to him which I was then told, oh that is because it is just in wax. Oh ok, I said, Again I am not a jeweler. 2 weeks later I visited the store again to pick up my ring. Never once did he want to size my finger after I asked several times as he «knew» what size I needed. We when returning to pick it up to no surprise, they did not fit. I was given a sheet slid to me across the table that said $ 3500.00. He said it would be an additional $ 3500.00 for the new set because he put larger diamonds. Again he said to bring cash. He said he would size them AGAIN and I would pick them up tomorrow. Forgot to mention I asked for platinum instead of white gold like the original band. BJ tried to tell me white gold is worth more than platinum. Well, I know better and I told him I am not trying to resell the rings. When I went to pick the final rings up the next day. They fit but still a little big. But by this time I was just happy to get something on my finger, as we had been engaged almost 1 ½ and I have not had a ring to wear. When I left his store I went home and looked closer at my rings. It did not have PLAT stamped in the inside of the rings. OK, maybe they don’t always do that. And then I noticed the center stone had a slight yellow tint to it. Then I noticed the diamonds in the band were not in alignment, not the same size, and some were not even sitting even in the setting. I started asking family and friends what they thought, some agreed, and I think some just didn’t want to hurt my feelings.
Well, I gave it some time and 2 weeks later I got in my car and visited 2 separate jewelers. I simply set my rings up on the counter and asked their opinion. They both were very understanding but by the looks on their faces, I know what they were about to say. One of them simply took out a digital measuring device and had me measure the side diamonds on both the engagement ring and the bands. My appraisal from Gold Town stated the small diamonds were all 2.5 mm on all the rings. Well after measuring some of them, they ranged from 2.1 to 2.7. And some were even loose. After crying the entire day and sick to my stomach, I sent the owner BJ an email which will be public soon on my blog (will update with this information) and his responses. I think the public should see the customer service this business owner gives his customers. I simply wanted my monies back. I would return everything he made and we bought from him for a full refund. I mean his website reads «we make custom jewelry, LOVE IT, OR LEAVE IT» Well I wanted to leave it. I was told that this is not going to happen. I visited his store again, asking for my money back. He said he would make me another ring. REALLY, you had 3 tries, I was not comfortable and wanted to be done with this business. He still refuses to give me my money back. I have since filed a complaint with the BBB & also the Jewelry Vigilance Committee. I am taking this to court. Engagements are to be exciting not miserable!