The Overbearing Jeweler & The Unsuspecting Buyers

Sounds like a new fairy tale huh? Make that a horrifying tale from the high and mighty business district of Makati's luxury hotels. Of course, we shall not name names...where is the thrill in guessing? A lot of people or ROLWLTL (Rich Old Ladies Who Love To Lunch...Funny, that nearly looked like an acronym so close to Rottweilers!! Never mind!!!) in hotels would often saunter into hotel shops...ladies with the moolah..who are mucho dinero and can drop 20K to 35K in a flash and that's cold cash..not via credit card mind you..oh yes dear! They buy hand made jewelry laden with so-called "Precious Stones". Made from this and that...imported from such and such...well...turns out...the origin is not far and away...but rather nearby..So near and yet so far as well as the well heeled ladies are concerned...or so they thought...You see the baubles that they are paying for these "hand made precious stones" can be found in...Quiapo!!! Yup! They are a dime a dozen there! And the price..oh so cheap! You can't help but be giddy with glee!! Any creative teen-ager who has the patience and the creative juices can come up with beautiful pieces and for a much, much lower price dearies!!! Tsk tsk tsk!! Isn't that such a bloody rip-off!!!! According to my favorite hotel habitue..one store's owner frequents Quiapo and this has not gone unnoticed! Smarter clients have gone back to the store to point this out...you would think the overbearing owner would cringe in embarrassment? Hell, no! She's been at it since time immemorial!!! So ladies, a word of advise...Quiapo is not so bad...Go check it out...its like finding a diamond in the rough...all you need is the drive and the patience...and while you're at it bring lots of water!! Hey, water is good for your body..keeps you hydrated in this sweltering heat!! Or research on the credibility of the store that you are buying those made to order jewelries with precious stones!! Not all that glitter is gold dearies!!! Till next time!!