So I'm cruising around online looking for some deals, freebies, coupons, whatever... and I run into this 'Free sterling silver necklace valued at $99' link.
With a glimmer in my eye... I go check it out and now I'm actually really confused & want to talk about it with you guys.
This is what the website says:
Fox Fine Jewelry donates necklaces if jobless or foreclosed. Free sterling silver necklaces, valued up to $99, are being given away to individuals who have lost their job or home.
Debbie Fox, owner of Fox Fine Jewelry, tells of the impetus:
As a jewelry store, we witness the effects of the economy daily. There has been a fivefold increase in the number of people selling their jewelry and many people are desperate, needing the money today. Many stories are tragic, as people come in to sell their grandmother's engagement ring, or their father's treasured watch. Men and women alike have cried in our store as they part with their heirlooms.
My husband George and I have been deeply affected and wanted to help those that couldn't afford a gift, or ladies who wouldn't be receiving a gift this year. We decided that anyone who had lost either their job or their home would receive a free necklace, gift wrapped in a Fox Fine Jewelry gift box.
Losing your job or your home is a traumatic experience, and we want to extend our hand and say "we understand and hope this helps."
To claim your free necklace - Individuals can receive their necklace by bringing in proof of their job or home loss, such as a letter of foreclosure or termination, along with their identification. One necklace will be given per person.
There's another part that says:
Free Necklaces goes National. In the first few days after we began giving away necklaces, we received hundreds of emails and phone calls from across the country. Heart wrenching stories from people in distress, and blessings and gratitude from others.
The flood of responses made me realize that the situation in our country is at a crisis level. I recognized that I, as a lone jeweler, simply can't give necklaces to everyone.
I needed help, so I turned to our jewelry buying group, the Independent Jeweler's Organization (IJO). In three days I was able to assemble a nationwide group of 45 jewelers who also want to help! Together, we hope our gifts of necklaces will be a symbol for what each of us can do to create change.
Here's the deal. If I recently lost my job or my home was taken away from me... I would think that the LAST thing on my mind would be getting a sterling silver necklace for free!
I also can't imagine how weird I'd feel walking into a jewelry store with proof of my job loss or home foreclosure and actually saying it out loud. "Hi, I just lost my job and/or my home was taken away and I'm here for the free necklace".
I mean, it IS a nice gesture but I just don't 'get' this. What do YOU think about it?
~ Faith
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Comments: 35
I hate to look a gift horse in the mouth but it seems like if they want to help people they'd donate the necklaces to a charity who in turn would be able to give out financial help or food, employment opportunities.
I don't know... maybe they can get those necklaces for a very low price, much lower than they could get more appropriate help for?
I guess people help in whatever way they can and it IS nice that they are helping.
http://www.foxfinejewelry.com/masterjewelers.php
Last year my dad offered his services to people that couldn't afford them and even though it might not be the most needed thing in the world or end world hunger or homelessness it did put a smile on plenty of people's faces.
I admit that, at first, I didn't get it either.
But after reading both of the things they wrote on their site, I can see how this could really be a blessing to a person who was planning on buying a nice gift for a relative and now has no money to do so.
I am a giver. I love to give. And if I was in that position, this could help me.
Thank you very much.
It's comical!
The pawn shop slant would work, if not for the SRP of $99 being an actual retail price of $49 and the most you'd get if you pawned it would be about 5 bucks.
So, I can only say to myself.... WTF?
WTF?!
It's like passing out packs of ciggarettes to starving people...