Ok product. Outrageous shipping charge. Usury "insurance" charge when it's already covered by the carrier. SLOOOOW shipping despite the HIGH charge.
OK, I have seen ads from Stauer before, mostly watches, so I never took an interest. I have a few GM licensed Cadillac watches so I am never looking for another watch. Last month I saw an ad in a recent AARP magazine for a Sterling Silver Balinese dolphin pendant with a 1 karat Blue Topaz stone. It was $29.99, supposedly marked down from $299. Sure,,, in what alternative universe is a 4.68 gram pendant (that includes the stone, which itself is worth about $15) worth $299? The melt value of the pendant at today's spot is approx $3.35, but part of that 4.68 grams is the stone.
However, it looked nice and my wife likes dolphin jewelry. I called the number, That's when I found out that the shipping charge was $20.95. This is for an item that weighs FAR LESS than 1 ounce. And then there is an "insurance" charge of $3.75. That nearly doubles the total cost. With sales tax here in FL the total was $57.13, very close to double the cost.
Let me explain about "insurgence". UPS, FedEx and now even USPS Priority Mail have a default declared coverage of $100 per package. So WHY was I being charged extra for "insurance"? I asked that and was not pleased with the answer so I ended the call.
But then I thought, it was a really nice looking pendant, and I had an extra Sterling Silver chain for it, so I called again, and purchased it. I was severely pressed to "join" the "platinum program" but I refused because it was some $125 or more and I wasn't sure I would ever get anything else with the way Stauer was charging sky high shipping and for "insurance" that the carrier already provided. I had to tell the person about SIX TIMES that "I ONLY WANT THE PENDANT". It was shipped and charged on the 14th, but then it took SEVEN days to get from MN to FL. I could have bicycled that distance in my younger days. And this was for some $25 shipping & "insurance" charge. Now I'm getting dozens of emails but there is always the "spam" button.
As for me, I am a retired Army Colonel and usually will not put up with such nonsense, but this pendant is for my wife, and its very nice looking, even if its quite small at 4.68 grams total weight.
DO NOT fall for a HARD SELL on "platinum" or other "programs". Be aware of the VERY HIGH shipping charge. Evaluate the TOTAL cost and determine if it is worth it to you. This was for my wife as a gift, however I personally do not expect to get anything from Stauer again because of the HIGH ship charges and the total scam of an "insurance" fee when it is already covered by the carrier!!!.
Silver Jewelry