Van Rijk Jewellers

We did our first deal with Alec at Van Rijk (owner) today, a trade. This is a very pleasant operation where you are treated honestly and fairly. Their expertise is obvious. Their selection is enormous in watches and jewelry. We did a trade on the former with the expert help of Pina, a very pleasant and knowledgeable associate.
My wife found exactly what she wanted and the deal was sealed in under an hour.
I suggest calling ahead for an appointment.
This is the first of several, hopefully.
Thank you team Van Rijk!

just purchased a JLC chronograph from Van Rjyk. on the website the watch was advertised as being in good condition. What i got was a watch in perfect condition, Just magnificent. Honestly looks brand new. No visible scratches and timekeeping and chronograph functionality is perfect.
for sure will shop there again !
Thank you

i have purchased and sold to Alec Van Ryke for over 10 years. Every single transaction has been
fabulous. There is a saying in the horological world and that is... "buy the seller". ..it is the single most important aspect when purchasing a pre owned piece. i believe you are buying from the very best when purchasing from Alec and the Van Ryke team! Original pieces, backed by a warranty and very knowledgable staff. My sell prices are always current market value ( important in todays Rolex market as prices can change weekly!). and awesome selection and solid fair market buying prices.
Thank you Alec for always treating me so well.

UPDATE 2:
Last week I went into VRJ in person to take Alec up on an offer he made to me to remediate some terrible customer service I had experienced with them when I first contacted them via email. I met Mina and Alec and had a list of watches I wanted to look at based on their website.

I looked at them all, with Mina being very patient to pull watch after watch after watch. I settled on a few front runners and spoke to Alec to see if we could come to terms.

First the good:
1. Great selection, they have some watches I have never seen before ever!
2. Mina and Alec are pleasant to speak to and pretty forth coming with their views on things.
3. Good knowledge of their watches.

Negatives:
1. My first experience detailed below
2. Pricing is high on most, even when compared to Chrono24 (which tends to already be artificially high).

Overall I felt that VRJ did change my perspective on the service they can give. I felt I got a fair negotiation that leaned towards the watch I was purchasing as the winner. The watch I purchased was in great shape and complete with box and papers. I foresee going back in just about every time I am in Toronto but will always be looking at watches which are priced fairly (given their inventory, I think you can always find one if you do your homework and diligence).

I have gone from giving them 1 star based on how I felt treated upon first contact, to 3 given how Alec went out of his way to remediate, to 5 given how happy I am with my current purchase.

Update: Previously I wrote the review below and gave one star based on my experience to date. This morning I received a call from the owner of Van Rijk, Alec. He had seen my review and wanted to speak with me to understand further. He took the time to let me know some internal workings at the store, which although explain why the below happened, still led to my bad experience. He then apologized and spoke to me about my inquiry urging me to come in and ask for him in particular so he can remediate the challenges I experienced. I found this to be a humble and appropriate response. After speaking with my wife, we will take him up on his offer to come in person to see him later in April. Based on my experience with him today, I edited this post to 3/5 and if what he says actually happens when I visit will correct to 5 stars. Stay tuned.
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Can you give a negative star review?

Horrendous customer service, pushes Rolex even when you have not inquired about any and specifically asked about two others. Then promptly never get back to you. Great job, at ensuring that you never get my business.

Run from this company! Plus check out the lawsuit on a diamond ring they are facing. I wanted to pick up a watch, instead I found Watchfinder!

Exceptional customer service
very knowledgable friendly staff
been a customer for over 30 years, would not even consider dealing with any other jeweller
absolutely stunning jewelley
very highly recommended
my most recent purchse was a pair of stunning platinum diamond stud earrings, absolutely gorgeous

Great experience with Andrew and team. Bought a watch and then returned a few days later to service my wife's watch. Van Rijk and team stressed their focus on long-term relationships. Great start to our relationship and look forward to working with this team for our future watch needs. Ryan

I've been buying and selling watches at Van Rijk for about 10 years now. Their service has always been helpful and professional and their selection is considerable. My most recent trade was moving from a Rolex Datejust to a Rolex Explorer II "Polar" that was in unworn condition. My trade in value for the Datejust was very fair and I'm very happy with my new Explorer. I will continue to shop at Van Rijk.

I met Mr. Van Rijk and his team of professional service providers yesterday and today. From my phone call made to them after an internet search to concluding our business transaction, I found every stage of the experience thoroughly professional, transparent, honest and fair trade. I found Mr. Van Rijk a self-made business man who is extremely aware of his work and technicalities yet with the humane abilities that will make me go back again to deal with him. I would recommend Van Rijk Jewellers to anyone who is interested is getting value for their money both ways...

Thank you to every one at Van Rijk and a especial thanks to Mr. Van Rijk. It was wonderful meeting and interacting with you.

I had a great experience dealing with Van Rijk Jewellers
selling my Rolex
It shows they have been in business for a long time
Thank you Alec

I cannot recommend this store and the staff enough. Alec is highly professional and knowledgeable about all kinds of jewelry, and the whole team is courteous and ready to assist with any jewelry-related need.

Mr. Van Rijk and others in the store were kind and respectful and gave me a fair price for some heirloom jewellery. I was able to get a same day appointment for appraisal. I would not hesitate to come back should I want to buy or sell jewellery again.

Today I had the pleasure of meeting with Mr. Alec Van Rijk. He was extremely accommodating in assisting me to put a value on a gold watch left to me by my father. The visit was nothing less than first class and very professional.
His knowledge is incredible.

Mike Buchholz

This is THE place to go if you are selling fine jewellery. In addition to getting a fair price, you are treated respectfully. Alec is an incredible role model for the industry. He took the time to research the item I was selling so he could provide me with a fair & reasonable offer. His knowledge and expertise I hadn't seen elsewhere. I was super impressed and will now be a customer for life. Thank you Alec.

I would highly recommend this jewellery business. Very few of us know about jewellery or any friend or family who does. We are pretty well at the mercy of the jewellers. After dealing with 6 jewellers, we had the uneasy feeling we were dealing with used car salesmen, although they seem more ethical in comparison. We were fortunate to be referred to Van Rijk Jewellery whom we would highly recommend.

Over the last few years I and my wife had inherited some jewellery and watches. Some with good value, some not so much.
I'm retired now and felt that it was time to sell the items that were not going to ever be worn.
I did some research and Van Rijk Jewellers consistently rated as professional and trustworthy.
I made an appointment to see Alex Van Rijk. At exactly the appointment time I was ushered into his office. He did not keep me waiting an extra second. He was polite and professional. He assumes that you have done your research and have a rough idea of the value of your items. If you haven't or are unsure, he will explain it to you. I had done some research and had a rough idea of the realistic value of most of my items.
Alex tests your gold items right in front of you and separates them by karat. He also weighs them in front of you and has the spot price of gold visibly posted on the wall. One bracelet surprised me by being worth more than I thought. One ring was worth less because the diamonds were not a fashionable cut for re-sale and not large enough to be worth re-cutting. Alex had no problem with me deciding to keep the ring.
Alex may buy an exceptional piece of silver jewellery but he does not buy silver for scrap value. Like every jeweller he buys gold.
Alex then totaled everything, showed me his calculations and made me an offer. His offer was close to my original estimate and I accepted. There was one watch that I probably could have sold privately for at least 15% more for a reasonably quick sale. However there are downsides to selling valuable items privately and Alex has to pay rent and staff costs. He has to make money on transactions to stay in business.
I also got to meet Alex's wife Barbara (it is a 30+ year family business). She was also very professional and courteous.
It was a very satisfactory and painless business transaction. So much so that I will go out of my way to shop their store the next time I wish to purchase a watch or piece of jewellery. Even though this review may sound like a paid promotion, I can assure you that it is not and I am a legitimate customer.
I intended to itemise do's and don'ts for selling jewellery but that will just take up too much space.
Do your research, go in with reasonable expectations and you will not be disappointed.

I phoned and made an appointment to come into Van Rijk Jewelers earlier this week. I got an appointment the very next afternoon. Unfortunately My schedule caused me to run a few hours late, the lady answering the phone made no big deal over it and found a better time later on that same day for me to come in. I arrived at the store, and 2 buzzing secured doors later I was inside-greeted by a security guard and a friendly woman who seemed to be one of the sales staff (sorry if I'm wrong). We was shown into the office where we met Alec (I brought a friend along) and we both immediately felt at ease. Alec was friendly, funny but most of all respectful and fair. I came to Van Rijk to see a piece of jewelry from Cartier and was offered ridiculously insulting offers ranging from $600-$1200 ...Alec didnt play any games, he acknowledged that this was a popular item and wouldn't be a problem to sell. He offered me 3 options. Cash/cheque and 2 offers consisting of a smaller cash value and an i store trade up credit, which with a smaller amount of my own credit I would be able to walk away with a piece of jewelry at a higher price point. This was my choice. To be honest, at any other given situation I would have walked away with the cash/cheque alone. At Van Rijk I felt like I wanted to leave with something (doesn't hurt with their buy back policy: 100% value for trading up). It was bitter sweet for me to be parting with this particular bracelet so I walked out with a beautiful little pair of earings, an amazing LASTING impression, my past left behind and for a great price!...with the help of Alec and the nicest-super helpful lady with the dark hair in the front I will most definitely be recommending Van Rijk to anyone who asks--and who ever doesn't too, just incase haha. If your reading this --Thank you both so much!! You really do stand out...there's a reason why you guys are there and not in a basement after 25 years!!

Do not shop at this store!!!!! I was lied to repeatedly by BARBARA not only about the condition of a watch but the fact that it had an original box and papers. Taking her word i drove over "7" hours round trip to see this omega moonwatch, not only was it NOT pristine barb, but you have NO box or papers for this watch as well. Let me educate you a little more now barb,,,,, this watch is a limited edition, without the proper documentation and box which is very unique to this model not to mention it had to be polished,what you have now is just a used watch of minimal value. This shop claimed it was just a typo. Just think if i had purchased on line i would be out $6000 due to a "TYPO" and no refund from these shysters ! Not the kind of place you want to shop on line.. very dishonest!!!!!!

This was my first experience selling jewelry and Mr. Van Rjyk was incredibly gracious and professional explaining the values and how he came to those amounts - the transaction was free of condescension or any silly games played some other jewellery buyers. I sold my engagement ring and kept my Rolex choosing to sell it privately. Mr. Van Rjyk was even so kind as to confirm its authenticity to the gentleman I sold it to. I would highly recommend and look forward to shopping there in the future.

Due to unfortunate circumstances we found the need to sell some jewellery for cash. Alec Van Rijk Estate Jewelers was one of three (3) reputable Jewelers that came to mind.

A mutual friend well advised us to call on Alec Van Rijk "last" - having the solid & sound reputation for good trade value. We did just that and true to the "Rumor" - Alec Van Rijk came out "tops"!!! He did not disappoint!!

We found Alec to be courteous & respectful; sympathetic & understanding - a Professional Consummate!!

It is without any hesitation and reservation that I make my recommendation to "Everyone Out There" in search or need of such service.

Thank you Alec - you have made a "lasting impression" and your wife Barbara too. We look forward to future dealings with you ... though for Happy Occasions you bet!!

I first had the pleasure of dealing with Van Rijk Jewellers in 2010 with the purchase of a Rolex Submariner. I had wanted such a watch for years. When I entered the premises, Barbara greeted me immediately. When I expressed my wishes to her, she quickly showed me several items in stock. It took me no longer than a few seconds to select my purchase.

I made a second and third purchase at Van Rijk Jewellers. They consisted of a Piaget Polo watch and a gold ring with diamonds. Buying those items was like celebrating Christmas in June! My mother also purchased a Piaget watch - a Piaget Dancer, a watch she treasured. She, too, felt that she had been very well treated, and, always spoke highly of the purchasing experience.

Van Rijk Jewellers creates a high level of trust and credibility with its customers. I believe it is precisely this that sets it apart from other purveyors of vintage watches and jewellery. I know that, when I am dealing with Barbara or any member of the staff at Van Rijk's, I am looking at a high-quality item that is fairly priced. Everyone is knowledgeable, and, ready to share product knowledge, if asked to do so.

Thank you so much Alanna for your professionalism and expertise in helping me with my recent purchase. I really appreciate your patience and honesty. I was apprehensive about ordering online, but you made the experience easy and comfortable. The Van Cleef and Arpels Malachite Alhambra necklace is beautiful! I love it. I look forward to doing business with you again in the future. Many thanks!

Have been looking for this Mickey Gerald Genta for a very long time. I bought the watch online without physically looking at the watch. Barbara has been very helpful and patient with all my requests. She made me feel very comfortable and I place my full trust on her. The beautiful watch arrived in Singapore via FedEx. Of course, Barbara didn't fail me. It's a beauty! Thank you Barbara for the transaction!

I recently decided to sell my expensive diamond rings, and after doing some research, found Van Rijk Estate Jewellery & Watch Buyers. From the moment I made the first phone call, to the moment I left the store, cheque in hand, I was treated with the utmost respect. I found both Mr. and Mrs. Van Rijk to be honest, polite, and a pleasure to deal with. I felt no pressure whatsoever from either of them to sell my rings. Mr. Van Rijk made all the measurements and calculations in my presence, made phone calls to various other jewellers to determine the appropriate price, and eventually gave me a price that I felt was fair and reasonable. When I had the cheque in hand, I felt completely confident that there would be no issue cashing it. They are both lovely people and my experience there was truly outstanding. I would highly recommend this establishment to anyone who is looking to sell (or buy) jewellery!

When I saw the watch online, I emailed Van Rijk and Barbara responded promptly and professionally. Various correspondes with her over emails made me feel that I could trust every word that she says and of course, the watch turns out better than I thought when it reaches Singapore via FedEx within days. Thank you so much for being so patient and it's great dealing with Barbara. Totally love the watch!

I have been going down to buy watches off Alec for over 15 years now. When i first started collecting watches I did not have a lot of money they where watches around $500-800 dollar's, I was treated the same way back then when i was spending just a bit of money as i am now when I'm buying Rolex,Omega or even Patek Philippe. The staff is great and has been there for many years witch is always a good sign. I have also dealt with every watch dealer in Toronto by this point. Some real bad and some okay but none as honest as Alec and none as fare and no one willing to back there watches as much as he does.
I often take a watch i bought from him and trade it in for a other watch and i have always been given a fare trade on it. Now I'm writing this review because someone very close to me bought a watch from a watch dealer in Toronto over the holidays and it was not what it was told to be, He got ripped off for a lot of money. So if your someone that is looking into buying a high end watch used in Toronto and want great service and want a good fare price from someone you don"t have to worry about buying from my best advice is to go to Van Rijk Jewellers and speak anyone down at Van Rijk Jewellers. I hope this helps anyone out there from getting burnt.
S.F