I would strongly caution people against shopping at this location, particularly with the sales associate named Annie. As soon as we expressed interest in a less expensive, silver ring collection (which Annie showed us herself), she was trying to have us believe that the holes present in the ring samples will also be present in the ring we order. Or we will have to add a stone in. My fiance asked the other associates point blank in front of Annie if this was the case, and they said that it's just the samples that come with holes, but if were to order the ring it would not have a hole. After this, Annie pretended that she wasn't sure about what she said earlier. We have reason to believe she was trying to dissuade us from the cheaper rings, by providing us with false information. We go on to order a ring for my fiance in silver, because he really likes it. Their computer system was down, so we had to make the order on paper, and paid. After we paid, Annie told us she would call us when the order is processed. It was at this point that she says that she will double check if the ring is available in the size we need, once the system is back up and running. However she felt that likely the size should not the an issue. There was no indication about the silver material being an issue.
Annie did not call us, and after a series of e-mails my fiance sent to the store, we received unprofessional responses first to let us know the order was not found. Then that the order was found, but was not processed yet. And then finally that the order cannot be made because the ring is not available in silver. One of the managers finally had Annie call us to repeat the ring is not available in silver, with no apology or explanation. And only after my myfiance initiated contact with the store. Not the other way around. He was encouraged to come back to the store to look at "other options", despite the fact that Annie knew what our budget was and that we specifically decided on silver.
My fiance went to the store in person to ask for a refund. It was very clear that she was doing everything she could do to avoid or stall the refund. She kept ducking out to the back of the store with no explanation, and sometimes ducking down behind the counter. Sometimes to show my fiance more rings that are five times the amount he is willing to pay. Sometimes she would come back out empty handed. All the while he keeps telling her he simply wants his money back, since his order could not be placed. It took almost half an hour for him to get his money back, and the store was not busy- the cash register was free. Annie said "I guess we can give you your money back".
After the refund was completed, my fiance asked Annie if the ring was not "available" in silver, because it was not of a high enough monetary amount for the store to justify an order. Her eyes darted around and she appeared nervous before saying "yes". She quickly stopped talking once another colleague appeared in the vicinity.
It is pretty clear to us that this store only caters to customers that pay for more expensive items. It was the lack of professionalism and the very obvious dishonesty from the part of Annie that really shocked us. We have serious ethical and professional concerns about this location. I don't know if other locations provide better service, but I doubt that my fiance and I will do business with Michael Hill again. We plan on writing a letter to corporate about the experience we had as well. No customer should be treated this way, no matter the price point they are willing to pay. If you don't want customers purchasing more affordable alternatives, do not offer them to the customer as an option in store. Very appalled and disheartened with this company and with the actions of Annie, the sales associate.