Sunday, March 26th
2023 Jewelry Store Reviews
Kay
- In business for over a century
- "A+" rated and accredited by the BBB
- 30-day return policy, 60 days for exchanges; extended during the holidays
- Free shipping on orders of $50+ within the continental US
Signet Jewelers is the parent company of four jewelry stores in our review, including Kay. Kay Jewelers itself got its start in 1916 and currently has over 1000 retail stores. You've certainly heard that "every kiss begins with K(ay)" , and this jeweler definitely puts a lot of emphasis on selling jewelry for every love story.
Not as many diamond stud earrings as their rivals
To compare all of the jewelers we reviewed, we took a look at the highest-priced diamond stud solitaires each one had in stock. Kay's were a 2 ct. tw. round-cut set in 14k white gold, on sale at a 25% discount for a total of $6,560. That came in right about the middle: not the most extravagant, but still an impressive gift (for your special someone or yourself). Their selection in this area was a little limited: just 139 different pairs, compared with the thousands we saw with other jewelry stores.
Plenty of inventory for other jewelry styles
However, in other categories, Kay's selection was more than fine. Among over 5000 necklaces, for example, you'll see everything from a Le Vian Couture Sapphire piece for just over $65,000 (and, can you believe it, not one but three customer reviews? Spoiler: it wasn't worth the money), to dozens of charms and chains for under $25.
Fun ways to get inspired
Using the top navigation bar and dropdowns is the easiest - and most fun - way to browse the Kay site if you're not 100% sure what you're looking for. We really like the Gift Ideas section that lists out different occasions you might be commemorating. Deal-hunters will gravitate to the Clearance tab, and the Customize section will walk you through the creation of your very own, one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry.
Best delivery options come with ship-to-store
You'll get free shipping at Kay if you live within the continental US, you're delivering to a street address, and your order is at least $50. Alternately, you can have your jewelry shipped to your closest store for pickup: not only will that protect you from porch pirates and spoiled surprises, but you can also specify that you'd like it gift-wrapped and they'll take care of it there.
Pay attention to return shipping requirements
Kay's return policy is average-to-good. You'll have just 30 days from when your merchandise shipped to return it (as opposed to the date you received it), or 60 days if you'd prefer an exchange. During the holidays, you'll get a little extra time; purchases made between 10/15 and 12/24 can be returned through 1/24 of the next calendar year. And, of course, in-person returns are welcome if you have a Kay store near you.
Customers would tell you to shop somewhere else
It can be hard to suss out the reputation of each jewelry store held by Signet: the BBB listing for Kay shows an "A+" but no accreditation, while Signet has the same grade plus accreditation. How far does Signet's reputation carry over into the quality and customer service you'll get when shopping for jewelry at Kay? If customer feedback is any indicator, the answer is "not far enough" . Most complaints describe poor quality jewelry (even items that were clearly opened previously or even used) and an indifferent response from Kay's customer service team, failure to cover damage or other issues protected under warranty, and finding out that items were overpriced and overrated. Comment after comment, we saw words like "scam" , "nightmare" , and "disappointed" . Finding anyone with a compliment for their Kay jewelry experience is a challenge.
Too disappointing to fully recommend
Kay, you've made us sad. You've been in business for a long time, and you're part of an extensive brand family. Why is it so hard to deliver good quality jewelry and attentive, empathetic customer service? We'd love to see this jewelry store make a major upswing in shopper feedback in the future, but until that happens Kay isn't going to be one of the jewelers we can recommend with confidence.
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Where's the Best Place to Shop for Jewelry Online?
You might be wondering if you should buy your next piece on the internet. Is it safe? Will I get something that's not good quality? Can I trust buying jewelry online? Rest assured - not only is it safe - it's actually a great idea to buy your jewelry from an online store! In fact, it's one of the most common purchases that shoppers are making, while they transition from brick-and-mortar retailers to digital storefronts.
Why the big increase in popularity? It's for all the reasons you would expect. First, there's no local jeweler who can compete with the inventory of an internet retailer: you'll simply have more options online, and that makes it more likely you'll find exactly what you're looking for. Plus, your neighborhood jewelry store has overhead costs that get passed along to you in higher markups, while an online-only retailer can often give you significant savings. That's a win!
Jewelry Store FAQ
Continued from above...
Another obvious reason is convenience. Do you have time to visit several jewelry stores on your days off from work, driving from one to another in the hopes you'll spot something you love? We don't either. Like every other thing we all shop for online, jewelry is faster and more fun to buy whenever we feel like it, in our jammies at home or on-the-go between errands. Why not?
There are a lot of possibilities for getting jewelry online. Where should you start? Your primary consideration may be whether or not it's important to you to have a physical store nearby: maybe you want to have your fiance's engagement ring shipped there for safekeeping and not to your home (where she might spoil the surprise), or you feel more comfortable buying online with the backup of in-person returns if needed. If those aren't a factor for you, don't hesitate to buy your jewelry from an online-only retailer - as long as the business has an established, positive reputation, of course.
What other criteria can guide your decision as you buy jewelry? Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Selection. The more a jewelry store has, the easier it is to get something amazing. Check first to see if the retailer that interests you has a solid range of options for the type of jewelry you need.
- Value. Notice we didn't say "price" . That's because you can find really expensive but poorly-made jewelry - as well as affordably-priced pieces that will stun you with their quality and sparkle. When possible, consult shopper ratings of the items you want to buy and see if they hold up over time and wear.
- Return Policy. What happens if your jewelry arrives and you don't like it? How much time do you have to send it back? Can you bring it back in person? Will you pay return shipping costs if not, and/or any restocking fees?
- Reputation. This is probably the most important factor. The prettiest pendant or most beautiful bracelet will feel like trash if it starts to turn your skin green or if gemstones fall out within a week or two. It happens, but the best online jewelry stores go to great lengths to choose good-quality pieces - and, more importantly, to take care of their customers no matter what. Have other shoppers said positive or negative things about the retailer you've got in mind? What does the BBB say?
To help you find all of the earrings, watches, bracelets and other jewelry you're looking for, TopConsumerReviews.com has evaluated and rated today's most popular online stores. We're confident that this information will make it fun and easy to add to your collection or choose a one-of-a-kind gift for someone special!
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