Complaints
This profile includes complaints for Peacock Jewelers's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see
Customer Complaints Summary
- 2 total complaints in the last 3 years.
- 1 complaint closed in the last 12 months.
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Submit a ComplaintThe complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.
Initial Complaint
Date:07/21/2024
Type:Service or Repair IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Peacock Jewlers owner **** ****** has established an internet presence using my name (****** *****), Owner of former business Walls Jewelry Repair - Operated as Sole Proprietor for 40 years - at ************************************************, the phone number, the 150+ 5-star reviews, with all photos, and changing name on social media to The Jewelry Repair - which appears to be a non-existent business, using the Peacock Jewelers location to market and steer customers to his business. Additionally, **** ****** requested and received Walls Jewelry Repair's prior business phone number and opened a business license in the name of ************************** **** ****** was advised over a year ago not to use any of our information in any way. A cease-and-desist letter directly sent to **** ****** has been ignored. He continues to mislead our former clients and any referrals based on a 40-year stellar reputation he did not earn. We are requesting they not only cease doing this but also restore the reviews and photos on social media back to our business name (where they were earned) which they changed to The Jewelry Repair using the Peacock Jewelers address.Business Response
Date: 08/13/2024
I am writing in response to the complaint submitted by Mr. Donnie Walls, ID 22022037, regarding the use of his former business information by my company, Peacock Jewelers. I would like to address each concern raised by Mr. Walls and provide clarity on our actions, while emphasizing our commitment to working with the BBB to ensure this matter is handled fairly and transparently.
### **1. Acquisition of the Phone Number** Mr. Walls has raised concerns about our use of the phone number (615-242-8323), which was previously associated with his former business. This situation appears to have started when we were assigned this phone number by AT&T. It is important to clarify that phone numbers are periodically recycled and reassigned by telecom providers once they are no longer in use. This process is entirely beyond the control of any individual or business, including AT&T, and is a standard practice in the telecommunications industry.
In this case, it seems that the number, once associated with Mr. Walls’ former business, became available and was reassigned to us as part of a routine process. We did not specifically request this number, nor did we intend to cause any harm or confusion. We believe that this reassignment was an unintended coincidence—perhaps even a sign of good fortune as we continue to build our own business. Additionally, it would be unfair to request that we relinquish a number that was dormant for many years and has since been reassigned to us by the telecom provider. This number is now part of our business operations, and we hope this explanation clarifies the situation.
### **2. Registration of the Business Name "Walls Jewelry Repair"** Mr. Walls also expressed concerns about our registration of the business name "Walls Jewelry Repair." This name was registered by our company following advice we received after a random letter suggested that the name was available. It is important to note that this name had never been registered with the Tennessee Secretary of State before we registered it. Our intention was not to misuse or diminish Mr. Walls’ reputation. We registered the name primarily to prevent any potential conflicts or claims against us.
In Tennessee, if someone was operating a business as a sole proprietorship and never registered the business name with the state, they do not have legal ownership of that name. Sole proprietorships can operate under a personal name without registration, but they cannot legally claim exclusive rights to a business name unless it has been registered with the state’s Secretary of State.
When a business name is not registered, it leaves the door open for someone else to legally register and use that name. Once a name is registered, the new owner gains legal rights to it, and the original unregistered user has limited recourse. The person who registered the name with the Tennessee Secretary of State first has the legal claim to it, even if the name had been used previously by another individual without registration.
If the original owner claims intellectual property infringement. If original business was retired and the name never registered, it is difficult for Donnie to argue intellectual property rights over the name. Note: The courts will and have to view the registered name holder as the rightful owner, especially if the original business has ceased operations and was never registered.
In our situation, after Mr. Walls retired and never registered the name, we legally registered "Walls Jewelry Repair" with the Secretary of State. As the registered name holder, we have the legal right to use the name, and it is difficult for Mr. Walls to prove any malicious intent, especially since the original business is no longer operational.
### **3. Social Media Presence and Online Reviews** Mr. Walls has mentioned that we have changed the name on social media and used reviews and photos associated with his former business under our new entity "The Jewelry Repair." I would like to clarify that social media platforms and online reviews operate in a manner that is largely beyond our control. The internet is a decentralized and global network where content can be created, altered, or removed by various parties, not just by us. We did not deliberately change or manipulate any reviews or content to misrepresent Mr. Walls' business. However, we are committed to making any changes within our control to address Mr. Walls’ concerns and rectify any unintentional issues that may have arisen.
### **4. Limitations of Control Over the Internet** It is crucial to understand that the internet is an open and dynamic environment where various elements—such as reviews, social media content, and business listings—can be influenced by many factors beyond the direct control of any single entity. Search engines, social media platforms, and other online services operate independently and are governed by their own policies and algorithms. As a result, changes can occur that we did not initiate and cannot easily reverse.
Historically, courts have generally found that while intellectual property laws protect trademarks and business names, they do not grant absolute control over how these elements are referenced or repurposed online, particularly after a business has ceased to operate under those names. We want to ensure Mr. Walls and the BBB that our actions were not intended to undermine his former business, and we will do our utmost to make any necessary corrections within our capacity.
### **5. Response to the Cease-and-Desist Letter** Mr. Walls mentioned that a cease-and-desist letter was sent to us and that it was allegedly ignored. I would like to clarify that there was no intention to disregard any communication from Mr. Walls. If this letter was overlooked, we sincerely apologize for this oversight. We are fully committed to resolving any disputes amicably and with respect for all parties involved.
### **6. Concerns Regarding Industry Influence** It appears that someone within the industry may be encouraging Mr. Walls to pursue these actions against us, potentially out of jealousy or a desire to stifle our progress. We want to assure everyone involved that our intentions are purely to conduct business with integrity and fairness. We did not intend to provoke any disputes or create tension within the industry. Our efforts have always been focused on building a reputable and successful business, and we sincerely hope that this situation can be resolved without further conflict.
### **7. BBB Accreditation and Professionalism** We understand that Mr. Walls never registered his business with the BBB or sought accreditation, while we have made efforts to do so and maintain the highest standards across our business operations. We feel that our approach reflects our commitment to professionalism and transparency. We never intended to ignore or dismiss any communications; rather, our focus has been on growing our business responsibly.
### **8. Apology and Commitment to Resolution** We deeply regret any inconvenience or discomfort this situation has caused to the BBB. If Mr. Walls truly believes that our actions were malicious, we sincerely apologize. However, we want to make it clear that this was never our intention. We are open to working with the BBB to ensure this matter is resolved fairly and efficiently.
### **Moving Forward**
We are open to working with the BBB to find a solution that addresses any concerns. We hope to move forward in a manner that is fair and reasonable for all parties involved. Please let us know how we can proceed to achieve a mutually satisfactory resolution.
Customer Answer
Date: 08/23/2024
Complaint: 22022037
I am rejecting this response because:The business has taken no action to rectify the issues Joey Nunley just denies any intent and claims all offenses are random and unintentional. Also claiming my business was closed for many years. Which all is false.
As A T & T advised on July 11,2024 that Joey Nunley requested the number. I still request the phone number be turned off.
Joey Nunley also denies he made changes to social media accounts. However, on May 24,2024 Yelp verified Joey Nunley claimed Walls Jewelry Repair account with all the reviews I earned that includes customers pictures of me and my work. Then changed name of business and location, and added his business hours, about store info, and photos before he registered a business. I still want him to correct this with Google and Yelp, as well as provide a public apology admitting his transgressions.
Furthermore, Joey Nunley also admits he registered Walls Jewelry Repair Inc, with the state of TN, even if he blames a random letter advising the name was available. He would not need to register this business unless he was attempting to mislead the public to get my former clients by trickery. He has a business as Peacock Jewelers which has already filed Chapter 11 on October 27,2023. I want the business registered as Walls Jewelry Repair Inc. closed if not for legal ramifications for ethical practices.
If Joey Nunley wants to operate an ethical business claiming high standards of professionalism he should do the right thing. He would not want anyone to do this to him or his business.
Sincerely,
Donnie WallsBusiness Response
Date: 10/10/2024
Subject: Response to BBB Complaint ID 22022037
Dear Ms. Deborah Hughes,
I appreciate the opportunity to address the concerns raised by Mr. Donnie Walls in his complaint and to clarify the context surrounding this matter. Below, I have provided a detailed response with numbered points for clarity, ensuring transparency and compliance with relevant laws.
1. Acquisition of the Phone Number
•Context: The phone number in question was assigned to us through AT&T’s standard number assignment process. Our employee, Christy, managed the setup of our new business account, which included obtaining a new number. This number, previously associated with Mr. Walls’ business, was reassigned by AT&T based on availability, following their established procedures.
•Legal Basis: According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) guidelines, numbers are not the permanent property of businesses or individuals once they are released back to the pool for reassignment. This process is governed by the FCC’s rules on number portability and reassignment.
•Clarification: Even if I had specifically requested the number, the assignment of a legally available number would not constitute a violation. The reassignment adhered to AT&T’s policies and federal guidelines, and we acted in good faith throughout.
2. Registration of the Business Name “Walls Jewelry Repair”
•Background: We registered the name “Walls Jewelry Repair” after receiving a letter indicating its availability. The decision was made to ensure compliance with Tennessee’s business registration requirements.
•Legal Standing: Under Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) § 48-14-101, businesses must register their names with the Secretary of State to secure legal rights to their use. Mr. Walls, operating as a sole proprietor, did not register “Walls Jewelry Repair” with the Tennessee Secretary of State, leaving the name legally available.
•Clarification: Our decision to register the name was a precautionary measure to avoid potential conflicts over the use of an unregistered name. This action is in full compliance with Tennessee state law .
3. Social Media and Online Reviews
•Context: Mr. Walls alleges that we used reviews from his former business. It’s important to note that platforms like Yelp and Google manage reviews independently, and changes on these platforms are subject to their internal policies.
•Legal Perspective: Under the Communications Decency Act (CDA) Section 230, businesses are not liable for user-generated content on third-party platforms, including reviews or photos posted by users on sites like Yelp.
•Clarification: We have not altered reviews or content intentionally. We remain open to working with these platforms to ensure accuracy, but any changes are ultimately subject to their systems.
4. Cease-and-Desist Letter
•Response: Mr. Walls references a cease-and-desist letter from over a year ago. It was never our intention to disregard any communication, and if any correspondence was overlooked, we apologize. However, our actions have remained within legal boundaries, including obtaining a legally assigned phone number and registering a business name.
•Legal Basis: Tennessee’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act (TCA § 47-18-104) outlines what constitutes deceptive practices. Our actions, which include acquiring a phone number and registering an unregistered business name, do not meet the criteria for deception under this statute .
5. Clarification Regarding Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
•Context: Mr. Walls’ comments about our Chapter 11 bankruptcy require clarification. The decision to enter Chapter 11 was a result of several challenging events:
•A robbery that led to the loss of inventory.
•The financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which drastically reduced business operations.
•Additional incidents of shoplifting, further impacting our financial situation.
•Legal Reference: Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. §§ 1101-1174) allows businesses to reorganize while meeting obligations to creditors. Our filing was a strategic decision to continue serving our community and meeting our responsibilities.
6. BBB Accreditation and Professionalism
•Background: Unlike Mr. Walls, who did not maintain BBB accreditation during his operations, Peacock Jewelers has actively sought and maintained an A+ rating. This reflects our dedication to transparency and high standards.
•Clarification: While Mr. Walls now seeks to use the BBB as a platform for his grievances, our history with the BBB demonstrates our commitment to ethical practices and customer service.
7. Rights and Protections Under Tennessee Law
•Relevant Legal Codes:
•Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA § 47-18-101): This law protects businesses operating in good faith from unfounded claims of deceptive practices.
•Davidson County Business Licenses: Our licenses are valid, including those for Walls Jewelry Repair, Inc.
•First Amendment Protections: The U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to operate under a legally registered name, protecting us from undue restrictions on speech and business practices.
•Conclusion: We have conducted our business with integrity and in accordance with both state and federal laws.
Conclusion and Request for Fair Treatment
•We respectfully request that the BBB consider the facts and our history of compliance when reviewing this matter. While we are prepared to address any legitimate concerns, we cannot comply with requests that are not legally warranted.
•Protection of Reputation: We request that the BBB refrain from publishing any content that may misrepresent our actions or suggest wrongdoing without considering the full context, in accordance with Tennessee’s defamation laws (TCA § 29-24-101), which protect against false statements that could harm our reputation.
Best regards,
Joey Nunley
Co-owner
Dr. Father Paul Wilson, Esq.
Peacock Jewelers
1713 21st Ave S., Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-500-3194Business Response
Date: 10/10/2024
Subject: Legal Notice Regarding Potential Harassment and Defamation by Donnie Walls
Dear Mr. Donnie Walls,
I am writing to address the ongoing concerns and actions you have taken, which I believe constitute harassment, defamation, and other unlawful conduct against me, Joey Nunley, and my business, Peacock Jewelers. This letter is intended to outline the legal basis for my concerns and to request that you cease all further actions that may harm my business and reputation. Below, I will address the relevant legal statutes that I believe apply to your actions:
1. Harassment and Cyberstalking
Under Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) § 39-17-308, the state of Tennessee defines harassment as engaging in a course of conduct that is intended to cause emotional distress or fear of harm to a person. This includes repeated communication or threats that serve no legitimate purpose. Your persistent complaints, public allegations, and attempts to harm my business reputation appear to meet the criteria for harassment. Furthermore, your actions have caused distress to myself and my business partners.
•Federal Law: Under 18 U.S.C. § 2261A, the federal stalking statute prohibits harassment and cyberstalking, which involves using the internet or other communication methods to engage in a course of conduct that places another person in fear or causes substantial emotional distress. Your repeated use of online complaints and allegations, especially those intended to damage my business, may fall under this definition.
•Davidson County Regulations: In Davidson County, ordinances against harassment support the right of individuals to conduct business without undue interference or malicious campaigns. Your actions may violate these principles by attempting to undermine our business through false claims.
2. Defamation and Libel
Your statements about my business practices, including allegations of unethical behavior, have been made publicly and without basis. Under Tennessee’s Defamation Law (TCA § 29-24-101), defamation includes any false statement that damages the reputation of another. When defamation is written, as in your complaint and online statements, it is classified as libel.
•Criteria for Defamation: To establish a case for defamation, a statement must be false, published to a third party, and cause damage to the subject’s reputation. Your claims against me, published through the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and potentially shared online, meet these criteria as they include false information that has harmed my reputation and business operations.
•Tennessee Case Law: In previous cases, Tennessee courts have ruled in favor of businesses when false claims were made to harm their reputation (e.g., Davis v. Covenant Presbyterian Church, 2006). Your continued efforts to misrepresent the nature of my business dealings, including false accusations of intellectual property violations, may be actionable under this precedent.
3. Tortious Interference with Business Relations
Tennessee law recognizes tortious interference with business relations as a cause of action when one party intentionally interferes with another’s business relationships, causing harm. Under TCA § 47-50-109, Tennessee law prohibits intentional acts aimed at disrupting another party’s business relations. Your repeated demands, attempts to interfere with our customer base, and public allegations aimed at deterring business are likely in violation of this statute.
•Examples of Interference: By attempting to coerce us into changing our business practices and publishing false claims about our operations, you have interfered with our ability to maintain a positive reputation and conduct business as usual.
4. False Claims Regarding Intellectual Property
Your accusations that we unlawfully registered and used the name “Walls Jewelry Repair” are not supported by law. As detailed in previous responses, Tennessee law (TCA § 48-14-101) allows any available business name to be registered if it is not already in use or registered with the Tennessee Secretary of State. Since your business name was never registered, we lawfully registered “Walls Jewelry Repair” to avoid any conflicts.
•Potential Consequences for False Allegations: Your claims that we registered the name in bad faith are unfounded and damaging. If you continue to assert these claims without basis, it may further expose you to liability for defamation and tortious interference.
5. Request for Cessation of Unlawful Activities
Based on the laws and facts outlined above, I am formally requesting that you immediately cease the following actions:
•Discontinuing any further public or private statements that are false, defamatory, or intended to damage our business reputation.
•Ceasing all attempts to interfere with the business operations of Peacock Jewelers, including unfounded claims made through public forums like the BBB.
•Refraining from making any additional claims or demands that suggest ownership or control over business names or phone numbers legally registered and assigned to Peacock Jewelers.
6. Potential Legal Action
Should you continue with the actions outlined above, I am prepared to pursue legal remedies to protect my business interests. This may include filing for damages resulting from defamation, harassment, and interference with business relations. Additionally, we reserve the right to seek injunctive relief to prevent further damage to our business reputation.
7. Demand for Apology and Retraction
Given the baseless nature of your claims and the damage they have caused, I am also requesting that you issue a written apology and retraction of your statements to the BBB, as well as any other forums where you have made these claims. A prompt apology would demonstrate good faith and may help avoid further escalation of this matter.
Conclusion
I hope that we can resolve this matter amicably and without further legal action. However, I must protect the reputation and interests of my business. I strongly encourage you to consider the legal ramifications of your actions and take steps to rectify the harm caused.
Sincerely,
Joey Nunley
Co-owner, Peacock Jewelers
Dr. Father Paul Wilson, Esq.
1713 21st Ave S., Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-500-3194Initial Complaint
Date:06/30/2024
Type:Service or Repair IssuesStatus:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
My wife and I dropped off an Accutron watch and a Tag Heuer watch on 12/28/2023. The instructions on the receipt they wrote and provided me said: "Please inspect and give estimate for new battery, tuning and any needed repairs." The due date on the receipt says 1-1-2024. We waited to hear back but when we had not been contacted we went to the store again in March 2024. We were told the watches had been sent away. Store owner **** called on 5/20/24 to say the watches were back in store. On 6/21/24 my wife went to the store and was told by Father **** that the watches were not in the store and had not been returned after being shipped to three different service providers. We called on 6/22/24 and **** said the watches were in the store but in a new safe his employees did not know about. On 6/24 **** texted a picture of a different watch he claimed was ours. On 6/27/24 my wife and I went to the store and asked for our watches back. I was given back the correct Accutron, without the strap it arrived with. I was not charged for this watch as I had not approved any repairs or services but was still waiting for an estimate. An incorrect, inferior Tag Heuer, was presented and I was told it was mine, which was not true so I declined to accept it. After looking at the picture the store took of my watch upon receipt, Father **** agreed that it was a different watch and that they would find mine or I would be "made whole." I exchanged several calls and texts with ****, and he finally confirmed on 6/27/24 the he could not produce my watch but that he would "make me whole." He asked me to give him a number that would make me whole and I said $2,000 USD. At this time **** stopped corresponding entirely.Customer Answer
Date: 07/01/2024
After Peacock Jewelers owner ********************* received notice that my wife and I had filed a complaint with the BBB, he texted us a copy of that notice. See attached. He then proceeded to harass us with phone calls and texts throughout the night. Most disturbingly, he texted us a map to our residence without explanation. See attached.
Earlier on the night of Thursday, June 27, he also called and texted us in the middle of the night. See attached. On both occasions, these calls and texts came from his personal cell number *************) and the Peacock Jewelers land-line number *************). I told him at that time that I considered these calls and texts to be harassment, yet he continued unabated, and even more aggressively, clearly in response to our BBB complaint.
Customer Answer
Date: 07/03/2024
Dear BBB,
I filed a complaint against Peacock Jewelers on 6/30/24. Since then, the owner has agreed to settle the issue. Peacock Jewelers has compensated us for the damages and, in return, we have agreed to remove negative reviews and to delete complaints with the BBB and the State of TN.
As such, please close this case. Thank you,
*******************************
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