What I bought and why
I bought this Ashley Bridget Journey bracelet as a Christmas present for my mother. It showed up on my Facebook newsfeed as a suggested post. Those usually annoy me and I ignore them whenever possible. However, this was something that I thought my mother would love and it involved a coupon code! I"m a sucker for a coupon code! The only thing better than a coupon code is a coupon code with free shipping. I really need to work on my online shopping addiction.
The process
The ordering process was very simple. I was able to pay with PayPal which just made my day. I love PayPal! I ordered it on May 10th and I had it in my mailbox on May 20th. It could have been there earlier, but I didn't check my mail on the 19th. It came in a plastic envelope. I didn't take a picture of the envelope.
Inside the envelope
The bracelet came in a cute little drawstring mesh bag.
The bracelet is 6" from end to end not including the clasp and the extension chain. The clasp and the extension chain give it about another 1-3/4" in length.
It fit on my big wrist.
Here is the clasp with the extension chain. You've got quite a bit of space there so if you have a small wrist, you can just put the claps on a different ring.
My Overall Thoughts
The regular price for this is $48.00. I would never pay $48.00 for this bracelet. I had a 60% off coupon so it was $19.00 plus shipping. For some reason, I don't remember having to pay for shipping, but it was on my invoice. I was expecting the rope to be a bit thicker and I was expecting a different type of clasp situation. While I appreciate the versatility of having this type of clasp, it just seems so fragile and it's really difficult to put on. I couldn't put it on by myself. My husband had a hard time putting it on me. Neither of us has a lot of experience with jewelry, so we're not the best people to judge on that regard. I'm not sure how the ropes are stuck inside of those end pieces, but it just feels very fragile like if it snagged on something, the ropes might pull out. I know my mother will love it, and I'm glad I bought it, but I really would never pay full price for this thing. I've never heard of Ashley Bridget, so maybe I'm just out of the loop and the name is worth the money. I don't think the product is worth the money unless you get a 60% off coupon like I did. Even then, I'm questioning if I would have bought this at a store with a $25.00 price tag. (What I paid with shipping)
I bought a mothers day gift and of course not only was it only held by a magnet, but it broke within a month, within 5 times of wearing it. I figured I would just get a refund and find something else my mom liked that holds and lasts longer, but they REFUSE to give me a refund. 15 days you have to return something. Seems to me like they know their product isn't worthy of lasting longer.
ReplyDeleteI will NEVER recommend or buy from there again.
I bought a mothers day gift and of course not only was it only held by a magnet, but it broke within a month, within 5 times of wearing it. I figured I would just get a refund and find something else my mom liked that holds and lasts longer, but they REFUSE to give me a refund. 15 days you have to return something. Seems to me like they know their product isn't worthy of lasting longer.
ReplyDeleteI will NEVER recommend or buy from there again.
I just found the EXACT same bracelets she sells for .85 cents a piece from a chinese website!!! She claims to be working and designing these bracelets out of New York, and she may live there and ship from there but she is getting these from CHINA http://www.aliexpress.com/store/group/New-Arrival-Bracelet/717640_253897640/1.html
ReplyDeleteWhile you may find similar bracelets on Aliexpress, there may be huge differences in quality/price. I am also a jewelry importer. Many Aliexpress firms imitate the designs of famous designers with much ;lower quality materials.
DeleteAshleybridget designs and then manufactures high quality products. Ab Products are silver, silver plate, and gold plate. You may find similar designs made from pewter or rhoduim plated. You may even find "gold-plated." But, often the gold platingis only a few microns thick and you will soon be seeing the low quality zinc alloy below the surface.
The caveat buyer beware holds very true in purchasing fro aliexpress. Even people like me who buy thousands of products have to be very careful about quality.
The same is true of the leather. Cheap leather may peel and split within a few times to wear. Quality leather can last mayn years.
Even the clasp can look the same.. Cheap clasps almost never close correctly. They may look the same. but, the weigh and feel and usefulness can vary greatly.
Do your home work before you purchase.
Good luck.
Just the box that the jewelry comes in costs more than the cheap imitation you linked to.. Look at a the quality of a nice gift box.
The bracelets I received from Ashley Bridget are definitely NOT 'high quality.' If these were even 'silver-plate' they should not have discolored after the short period of time I've worn them. I contacted their Customer Service via email and it was suggested that I put colorless nail polish on them (I suppose to prevent them from losing even more of the 'plating?') All of the reviews I read are about ease of ordering and quick delivery. And, I agree, those issues were well handled
ReplyDeleteI just wish I had known I was buying 'dime store' goods.
The bracelets I received from Ashley Bridget are definitely NOT 'high quality.' If these were even 'silver-plate' they should not have discolored after the short period of time I've worn them. I contacted their Customer Service via email and it was suggested that I put colorless nail polish on them (I suppose to prevent them from losing even more of the 'plating?') All of the reviews I read are about ease of ordering and quick delivery. And, I agree, those issues were well handled
ReplyDeleteI just wish I had known I was buying 'dime store' goods.