John M Marino Jewelers

in 1 word, ugh.

In many more words? Awful, and confrontational.

The deal: I have been meaning to get a few links removed from a watch that I received as a valentine's day gift from my husband. Since I was new to the area, I figured I'd go for a walk, bring the watch, and stop in at a jeweler. I've had links removed from watches before from a number of places (high end to low end) and didn't think that I needed to check reviews or anything.... mistake #1.

I waited to be helped by Eric, who said he was the owner, and told him i needed about 2 links removed. I tried on the watch, he agreed that he could remove two links, and then he went into the back. I strolled through the store, looking at sparkly things, and about 1 minute later he returned. He put the watch pieces on the counter (pieces, as in plural). He told me that he "barely touched it" and that the integral link that is used to fasten the watch just broke.

Ok, so things happen, people make mistakes, no problem i think to myself... he'll make this all right. He proceeds to tell me that it was broken when I brought it in and kept re-iterating "I only touched it for 20 seconds".

What followed was endless back and forth as I asked what he was prepared to do to fix it, and proceeded to tell me that it was not his fault, and it broke, and therefore he was not taking responsibility for it. He said he could "maybe call to get a piece" but I'd have to leave the watch. Ehhh, now I am feeling really suspect.

After about 15 minutes of back and forth talking, me making suggestions on how he could have resolved the situation, and him repeating his mantra of "20 seconds!" (alternating with laughing at my retort of "a lot can happen in 20 seconds" ) I walked out of the store and nearly started crying.

Overall, if you bring in a brand new watch, and it breaks under their hands, they will not be responsible. Eric also said that if they clean a piece of jewelery and it breaks, they will charge you to fix it. For some reason, this just seems fishy and has never been my experience at any other jewelery shop I've ever visited.

From here on in, I'll be hopping in my car and driving to my normal jeweler no matter what!

If i could give zero stars i would. Dont waste your time. Walked in to get a ring sized, the woman behind the counter offered a couple of rings to try on. Once i tried them on we asked her what size they were and she simply stuttered and ignored the question. We kept repeating all we wanted was the ring size, and she would just ignore the question and ask what we were looking for.
Then, a voice from the back shouted extremely rudely "WE DONT SIZE YOU HERE, THATS NOT HOW WE WORK!"

Why couldn't she tell us that in the beginning?
Waste of 10 minutes, never recommending anyone here.

I called Aret to help me pick out a pair of diamond studs and I couldn't be happier! They're helpful, make you understand what you're buying, and get what you want quickly. Everything you want when you're investing in jewelry!

Never before have I been so appalled at an answer to a simple question. Today I walked in and asked to be sized for a ring. The lady behind the counter balked at me and told me briskly "we don't do that here." I stared dumbfounded and again, repeated that all I needed was a simple sizing. She told me rudely, "we will only size you if you purchase with us so unless you are buying a ring, we cannot size you."

I immediately left. The fact that they were so unwilling to help guarantees that I will never be a customer there. Also, note to the owners...when a woman asks to be sized for an engagement ring, she's not buying it herself. But you can sure as hell bet that she will do everything in her power to make sure that she will never have to deal with you ever again.

Went in years ago in the hopes of having a necklace made, incorporating an heirloom diamond. The wife/owner refused to show me anything, insisting that I bring in the diamond first. I told her it was nothing unusual -- just a regular brilliant-cut (round) stone -- and asked if there was anything she had that I could see, just to get some ideas. Again, she said that she wouldn't, this time even more emphatically and glaring at me. There was nothing I could do but leave the store, feeling rather inferior and embarrassed. I ultimately had my necklace made at another local shop. If this is the way people are treated at Marino, I have no idea how they have managed to remain in business for so long. There are other skilled and far more courteous jewelers here in Port Washington. Don't waste your time.

Glad to know I'm not the only person who's had problems with the people at this store.

I had been bringing jewelry and watches to them for several years and also had some appraisals done there -- all with no problems. Then the wife of the owner (or co-owner) began asking me why I never bought jewelry, only brought in repairs. The things they carry aren't my style, for the most part, which is what I told her. But one day she lit into me for using them only for repairs -- "We don't make money on repairs! You should be buying jewelry here!" -- and I left and have never been back.

Padding your own reviews, much? I accompanied the reviewer yesterday when we walked into the store and asked about the ring sizing. When we got back to our office, we told our co-workers and the first thing we did was look the company up on Yelp. Upon reading the reviews, we actually laughed at one from a woman named Thea F. who started out by saying that "she couldn't understand why there were such negative reviews." We mocked aloud, "Maybe because they clearly don't care about their customer service?"

Today, when I happened to go read my coworkers review, sure enough there's a 4 Star review from Thea F. and the previous one she'd written had been deleted, with this one sitting at the top. So not only do you guys treat any potential customer like they're not worth your time because they haven't committed to spending a dime with you, but you have no problem fabricating positive reviews for your business.

I've read the negative reviews and don't think they are a fair representation of Marino Jewelers at all. My family has been coming to Aret at Marino Jewelers for more than 20 years. He cares for his customers and does beautiful work. He's designed all of the jewelry I wear on a daily basis: my earrings, necklace, and engagement ring. I would highly recommend Aret's work.

I have always taken my watches in to John M Marino to get the batteries replaced, but I am getting married next month and wanted to get my ring finger sized. I took a watch in and said I wanted the battery to be replaced, and I also asked the man behind the counter if he could size my finger. Like the lady who served Sarah S., the man told me "we don't do that here." I was quite shocked because I was under the impression that sizing was something jewelers do. And it isn't as if the jeweler was busy; I was the only one in the store. I was afraid that maybe all jewelers expect you to make a purchase in order to size your finger. Fortunately, I was wrong. I found another jeweler in another town who, without my even really asking, sized my finger and spent at least an hour with me, talking about wedding rings. Not only will I not be purchasing any jewelry from John M Marino Jewelers, Inc. in the future; I won't even be taking my watches in for batteries.

I prefer to shop in town and support my local businesses. I have trusted Marino Jewelers for many, many years. I don't buy tons of jewelry, but have bought several pieces from Marino, including a diamond necklace, a wristwatch (a brand they ordered specially because I wanted a particular watch), and I had a beautiful opal ring custom made for my daughter. I described what I visualized, and the owner brought in several opals to choose from. We designed the ring together and it came out so beautifully! I have had many repairs done here, too, such as having a diamond eternity band re-set in a new larger band. He carefully explained my options and I chose the option that didn't require buying an extra stone to add. Marino has also been a long-time supporter of our organization, donating items for our fundraisers. These are good, hardworking people at Marino. To me, having a jeweler I TRUST is the most important thing.