Watch Battery Woes

One thing I have learned since taking over this column is the power of the written word. It took me a while to find my voice while trying to fill in my father’s very big shoes. I leave the complaining and curmudgeon-like musings to him and choose to share the fun and special moments that make up a typical day at the Harbor Goldsmith. My loyal readers can attest that I truly care about my and my father’s customers. Several times a day, people comment on how much they enjoy my take on things and look forward to the next installment. This means the world to me and keeps me motivated. Oftentimes, we will do a little favor for no charge, and when people insist upon paying we offer two collection jars to choose from. Our Daily Bread Food Pantry and St. Jude are two charities we collect for. You all are very generous! What a wonderful philanthropic community we have.

The pen is truly mightier than the sword, and I choose to wield my might by showcasing the kind and loving community I am proud to be a part of. But the power of a poisoned pen is tenfold. I recently checked our Google reviews and was dismayed to see an angry review accusing us of not caring about our customers over a disappointing watch battery replacement. I was unable to make contact with this client to see if they were upset we couldn’t do it while they waited, or if it was a certain high-end model we do not possess the correct tools for. This particular client had frequented our shop in the past, and since they continued to patronize us, I assumed they had experienced good service. It was just this one time we did not meet their expectations, and they chose to air their grievances publicly. They’re entitled to do so. I called and thanked them for their review. They did not return my call, though. We know that watch battery services are problematic in our store. We are absolutely inundated with them at the moment. Upwards of 30 to 40 watches are coming through the door each day. Some people bring us eight at a time. Dear Lord, please stop with the watches! You only have two wrists! How many watches do you need?? I joke, of course.

The bottom line is our store specializes in fine jewelry repairs, restorations, and custom design. We focus on offering an amazing array of retail items and custom designs. How watch batteries somehow became something people expect of their goldsmith, I have no idea. We offer battery replacement as a convenience to our customers, but we cannot disturb our craftsmen while they are trying to focus on meticulous repairs. I know this is hard to understand because it seems like it’s just a small thing, but it’s never-ending. I am trying to find more help, but at the moment, I implore you for some patience and understanding. Please, just leave the watch; let us do it for you, and we will do it right. Just not immediately.

The entire jewelry industry has changed. The unprecedented rise in the cost of gold and the introduction of lab diamonds have changed the landscape of jewelry design. I spend a great deal of time researching trends and selecting stock pieces for the store that I know all of you will love. This is what we excel at. Pop in, take a look around, and say hi. Drop off the watch and come back at a later time. We are all members of the same community. I am your neighbor, a fellow islander, and I care deeply about my customers. This store was built with my father’s own two hands, and nothing makes me prouder than being the Jeweler’s Daughter. Saying that we do not care about our customers is a slap across the face. Not a day goes by that I don’t spend worrying over a custom engagement ring that needs to be perfect and delivered on a tight schedule for a surprise proposal, or that a pendant design for a recent widow using her beloved husband’s wedding ring won’t be perfect. I lie awake at night, concerned about how to preserve my father’s legacy and keep his good name intact as he is closing in on retirement. My brother and I have worked shoulder to shoulder with my father building this business, and to say we don’t care could not be further from the truth. Perhaps you have a nice story to share about what you like about our store. Let us wield the pen in a positive way and reinforce the power of patience and kindness.

The holidays are upon us; my store is packed with beautiful, in-demand styles. The silver selection has been expanded, and we are carrying more gold-plated items in an effort to offer affordable options in response to the increased cost of gold. Our new Marco Island pendant has proven quite popular and I have plenty in stock for Christmas. My lab diamond jewelry is bursting with choice. Every size stud, pendants, and cutting-edge designed rings are flying out the door. I strive to offer something for everyone; I think it’s important for everyone to find something beautiful, no matter their budget. Some retail advisors tell you that you can’t be everything to everybody, but I think that’s bad advice. People’s tastes may vary, of course, but I think affordable, well-designed jewelry is something that everyone should be able to afford. Come and see for yourself. Our decorations are up; we are feeling jolly and optimistic about a fantastic season. As always, thank you, Marco Island. We look forward to seeing you soon and have a Happy Thanksgiving!