TC

We spent 4 weeks in March on the island. I received emails this week from friends in Canada who were also there. Three of the ladies in that group bought jewelry from a jeweler named Carlos at "New Concept" formerly "Joyerias" store. It is located below the "Tiki Toki" bar. When they had the jewelry looked at in Canada upon returning home they were told it is fake. One lady took her new alexandrite ring to have a loose stone secured. Her local jeweler said he couldn't fix it because the stone was chipped on both ends and wouldn't be worth the money for repair as it is a fake. The diamonds are fake, the alexandrite is fake and he doubts it is 14k gold even though it is stamped. Others in the group have had their new rings appraised in Canada and are getting the same story. The "gold" is already starting to tarnish.

The ladies are all filing forms to pursue a formal complaint through PROFECO.

We love the island of Cozumel. Spend a month there every winter. I have never had a problem like this, however, I stick to buying the sterling silver in reputable shops -- Cinco Sol or Silver Emporium. I have never purchased any "jewels" on the island. My opinion is that this kind of purchase is just too risky unless you are extremely knowledgable in the gem trade.

Sadly, as the economy gets worse, the criminal elements come out and sooner or later someone will get scammed. Beware.

jacketwatch

Hmmm. Was a CC used to pay? If so you have grounds to protest the sale as fraud and recoup the losses. Good luck.

spurs

I'd say beware of all them, and not only in Cozumel.

Lois_HoefertAring

I also was a victim of New Concept Jewelers. Donateo, the store manager showed me several diamonds and I purchased one, with an obvious inclusion, SI2. He took it to his jeweler to have it set in my wedding ring. He made us wait in the heat and then he brought back the ring. When we got home to Idaho, I had it tested and it was a FAKE! I removed it from the setting and there was NO INCLUSION. So he traded stones when he went to the jewelers. This was obviously not the stone I had purchased. Never buy ANYTHING from NEW CONCEPTS in Cozumel, Mexico. They are liars and cheats!!!

TC

Lois, I am so sorry to hear your story. I know that several people who live on the island of Cozumel are trying to have this stopped. Do file a complaint with the island PROFECO office. Following is the proceedure and contact information.

<b>The Consumer Protection Agency in Cozumel is called PROFECO.</b>

The contact for filing a complaint is Ariadne Santin in Cozumel. Her email address is ([email protected]).

If you have a dispute with any stores in Cozumel, you need the following information when making contact with PROFECO;

1. Copy/Scan of your sales receipt.

2. Short description of what the problem/issue is. Include, date, sales person's name, relevant information (stick to the facts, short and quick, when you receive a reply, you can expand with more details)

3. Documentation of APPRAISAL from a recognized store in your home country will be the ONLY acceptable documentation to support your case.

You most likely will pay for this, but include the cost of the appraisal in your demand for reimbursement.

Do NOT send back the merchandise to the store that is in dispute.

You will be instructed by Ms. Santin as to how this will be managed.

Send your email request for assistance and attach to the email your documentation ([email protected]).

If you paid by credit card, please document all of this with them as well ASAP.

It may take months to resolve your issue, but stick with it. Even if you do not get a refund, the store should be closed down.

Good Luck.

Eschew

It never fails to amazes me that people are making large purchases while travelling, not knowing the reputation of the shops that they are dealing with.

If the deal is too good to be true, it probably is. If a half decent diamond ring is selling for $1500 at home and someone is selling it for $500 or less, I would ask question.

Yes, the labor, the rent, the duty, the cost of doing busienss is cheaper, but the actual cost of the diamond and the gold is not. I may believe $1000 but anything less than 2/3, I will have serious doubt. You get what you pay for.

In terms of complaining to PROFECO, unless you have a certificate from the seller claiming the items are "genuine", you have bought an expensive piece of costume jewelry.

TC

<I>"unless you have a certificate from the seller claiming the items are genuine"</I>

Eschew, Have you had first hand experience with PROFECO in Cozumel? If yes, what did you buy and from whom? How was your complaint handled by PROFECO? I do know people who have received refunds through them. Perhaps you should try again.

NolesFan

Beware of Four (4) CES International on Avenida Rafael E Malgar. They are frauds. Purchased ring that was suppose to be tanzanite. Turned out to be cubic zirconia. Also charged more than $100. above the agreed price to my credit card.

merika

I too was recently scammed at New Concepts. Do you have an address for them.

TC

The contact for filing a complaint is Ariadne Santin in Cozumel. Her email address is ([email protected]).

See posting above.

lobeer

We were in Cozumel for the third time in April, and were scammed big time at a jewellery store for about 2500 dollars. I just learned of it this week and would appreciate if anyone has any ideas on how we can get our money back. We have signed letters of authenticity , the gold is stamped 14 k, I had the gem checked by a different jewellery store who said it was real, so I thought it was okay. We didn't even barter for better prices, so we really thought it was on the up and up. I am so choked. We are not wealthy tourists, this trip was frugal and the gift my husband got me was for our 10th anniversary. This guy had letters from the cruise ship that sent tourists to his shop (could be fake I guess). Any help out there would be appreciated.
thanks ... and beware. Don't trust even the silver shops. I also found that out the hard way. This guy had actually lived in Burnaby Canada for 10 years. He showed us his Canadian drivers license etc...but still ripped us off. That was our first visit to the island a few years back. That being said, we met some great honest people in Cozumel, but I think I will stick to Cuba from now on as it is the safest and most best vacation experience we have ever had yet.

TC

All the information you need to file a complaint is in this post. I would also go directly to the cruise line if they recommended the shop.

But I do have to ask.....if you were scammed on your first trip, why would you then return and spend such a large amount? In all my world travels, I have never purchased anything that (a) I couldn't return and (b) I couldn't afford to throw away without concern.

<I>"We are not wealthy tourists, this trip was frugal"</I>. Your budget and mine are certainly different. Spending $2500 in a jewelry shop seems less than frugal in my opinion.