Peoples Jewellers Reviews: Low Quality, Bad Service, High Prices
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The History
Peoples Jewellers is one of the oldest jewellers in Canada, dating back almost 100 years. The company expanded over most of the century on its own, until being bought out by the US giant Zales Corporation. In 2014, Peoples joined the Signet corporation (parent company for Kay Jewelers and Jared) after their aquisition of Zales.
They currently operate 150 stores sprinkled around Canada.
The Experience
Peoples was about as a drab an experience as I’ve had in all of my secret shopping experiences. We visited their location at the West End Mall near Toronto. Despite the mall having a bright and modern feel, the store seemed drab and dated.
We went in and started to browse the engagement ring section. Eventually one of the sales associates freed up and came over to help. There was absolutely zero engagement. The only words we heard from her were “which one do you want to look at?”
After looking at one diamond the salesperson got distracted by one of her colleagues, so we were only able to look at one ring while we were there. I was trying to figure out why this feeling was familiar to me. Only after I did my research for the “history” section did I realize what it was. It felt just like going into a drab Zales or Kay store.
The Product
Unfortunately that one ring we saw was far from impressive. We took a look at a 1.03 I color I1 clarity (GS certified) in a white gold setting for c$5,875. This was one of the ugliest diamonds I’ve ever seen. First, the inclusion was glaringly noticeable. Second the diamond was so poorly cut, it was incredibly dull. Round diamonds should have a depth around 62% (never exceeding 63%). Any deeper and the diamond will not only look dull, but it will also look smaller than well cut round diamond of the same size.
The Value
Not only was the diamond poor in quality, but it didn’t offer much in the way of value either. Here is a comparable (1.01 carat I color and I1 clarity) diamond from from James Allen for c$3,354. Add in a nice solitaire setting, and this is still about c$2,000 cheaper than the option from Peoples.
Bottom Line
Peoples is just not the place to buy an engagement ring or any other diamond jewelry. It wasn’t the worst store we visited in Canada, but it was near the bottom. You are better off looking elsewhere.
James Allen is the leader in online diamond sales. Their imaging technology is at the point where it's almost the same as inspecting a diamond with a jeweler's loupe. Their customer experience is best in class, and they have recently upgraded their non-engagement jewelry inventory as well.- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free International Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisals
- One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
- Free ring inscriptions
- Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Best-in-class packaging
Blue Nile is the largest and most well known internet jewelry seller. They have the industry-leading largest available exclusive online inventory. Their high quality images are catching up to James Allens' and their prices are amazing. - No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisal
- One free resizing within the first year of purchase
- High quality images of about half of their diamonds
- 24/7 Customer Service
- 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
- Best in class fulfillment
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