Yet another complaint made with the ASA

No doubt it'll be a waste of time as usual, with the ASA issuing their 867th slap on the wrist, but I've just reported Gemporia yet again.

Blatant misleading TWICE when selling a pair of 9k gold Cultured Pearl earrings.

Jess Foley claimed "We could take these pearls and probably sell them for ten times the price you're going to be paying today, at least. You could go on and do that, we can't stop you doing that." Dave Troth chips in "If you're going to do that, I'd buy two pairs and for goodness sake, keep one."

This was implying the earrings were worth far more than Gemporia was selling them for. In my opinion, it also encouraged people to recklessly multi-buy, in order to sell on, with no guarantees that they could make a profit on the items - or even recover the amount that they purchased them for from Gemporia.

At the end of the day, if Gemporia believed their earrings were worth "ten times more" than they're selling them for, then they'd sell them for ten times the price - particularly when it is public knowledge that they've had financial difficulties.

Yes, because all struggling businesses sell things for ten times less than they're worth, out of the goodness of their hearts, for s**ts and giggles.............

But they didn't stop there. About 5 minutes after this claim was made, they then showed a price comparison - but the price comparison was not 'like-for-like'. They compared a screenshot of a retailer selling 18k white gold earrings - and waffled on about how much higher in price they were. Gemporia's were 9k gold....................

Shysters.

TheManWithNoName said:

But they didn't stop there. About 5 minutes after this claim was made, they then showed a price comparison - but the price comparison was not 'like-for-like'. They compared a screenshot of a retailer selling 18k white gold earrings - and waffled on about how much higher in price they were. Gemporia's were 9k gold....................

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I can't see the point of comparisons. They are rarely, if ever, like for like. Like talking of Jess. Earlier she was doing Aurora Danburite: cut and faceted, and she insisted on comparing them to 'raw' versions that were being sold for tons. Small cut stone against something that is two or three inches long? Really like for like. And then she showed actual Gemporia rings that were irradiated for comparison.

Ant7t said:

I can't see the point of comparisons. They are rarely, if ever, like for like. Like talking of Jess. Earlier she was doing Aurora Danburite: cut and faceted, and she insisted on comparing them to 'raw' versions that were being sold for tons. Small cut stone against something that is two or three inches long? Really like for like. And then she showed actual Gemporia rings that were irradiated for comparison.

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IMO a price comparison is only of value if it's truly like for like, something that seems to have passed Gemporia by. Not if (a) the actual written description is so small and blurred that it's almost impossible for a viewer to read it when it's flashed before their eyes for 5 seconds flat, (b) if it's something of a different carat weight and/or in a different metal and (c) not if it's a completely different stone(s), or of a higher quality. Also, what they don't tell you - and what TMWNN has pointed out several times on here - is that other organisations offer longer guarantees for their items: I believe Monica Vinader is 5 years? Big difference between that and 6 months and indicates that they are confident of their product.

historymystery said:

not if it's a completely different stone(s), or of a higher quality.

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How many times have they shown a ring and shown for comparison another ring, the same style? The other ring had diamonds and not zircon and is in platinum or 18K gold. Theirs is either 9K or silver. (Stones are examples). THOSE sorts of comparisons are ridiculous. A blunt pencil has more point to it.

Ant7t said:

How many times have they shown a ring and shown for comparison another ring, the same style? The other ring had diamonds and not zircon and is in platinum or 18K gold. Theirs is either 9K or silver. (Stones are examples). THOSE sorts of comparisons are ridiculous. A blunt pencil has more point to it.

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Countless times. And when they're so indiscriminate and put up famous vintage pieces or antique items, that makes me cross because it's treating the viewer as if they were born yesterday.

I saw Dave Troth and Lindsey Carr had some bought-in red agate pieces in the "Alhambra" style. Nice enough, perhaps, but we had the usual Van Cleef & Arpels comparisons. Their pieces? Gold-plated - not even vermeil. And at £99 for a single stone necklace. And as a first day Birthday triumph.

AndyW said:

I saw Dave Troth and Lindsey Carr had some bought-in red agate pieces in the "Alhambra" style. Nice enough, perhaps, but we had the usual Van Cleef & Arpels comparisons. Their pieces? Gold-plated - not even vermeil. And at £99 for a single stone necklace. And as a first day Birthday triumph.

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I saw that too. The way they were going on about it, I was under the impression that it was one of theirs. You know how the presenters went through phases of designing stuff? Gold plate is probably the lowest you can go in terms of coating. YES, I've said it before here: buggered if I can remember where, nor can I be bothered to look (I'm in one of those moods ) I have had a rolled gold necklace since at least 2001. It looks no different, and still looks new. Do they still make rolled gold? I know it used to be a thing.

Ant7t said:

I saw that too. The way they were going on about it, I was under the impression that it was one of theirs. You know how the presenters went through phases of designing stuff? Gold plate is probably the lowest you can go in terms of coating. YES, I've said it before here: buggered if I can remember where, nor can I be bothered to look (I'm in one of those moods ) I have had a rolled gold necklace since at least 2001. It looks no different, and still looks new. Do they still make rolled gold? I know it used to be a thing.

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I can go one better. I have a rolled gold bangle that is 45 years old. It was worn and worn. It was dipped in silver dip. It still looks the very same . I was wondering the same thing but I haven’t seen rolled gold for years. I think the nearest thing to it now is gold filled. That’s popular in America. That seems to have a regulated percentage of gold that is higher than vermeil but I’m open to correction. Gold plate is useless. It would be far better to leave it silver colour.

Years ago I wanted a sterling silver watch (not from Gemporia) but they only made it with gold plate. So I bought it and in less than a year the plating wore away and I got the watch in sterling silver! I do buy occasionally gold plated earrings as they don’t get the wear and tear like a ring, bracelet or necklace do.

I always buy sterling silver as the only gold items I could afford would be thin and flimsy and I prefer more chunky jewellery. However stainless steel or gold/silver tone is a big no no from me, both of which seems to be getting sold more on Gemporia and QVC.

So 1st post as have only just joined. But I am so totally dismayed by Gemporia now compared to 20 years ago, I have to rant. Firstly - Dave Troth (aka David Harry or whatever). This man spouts for half an hour about pearls, jade or, like this morning, 'Grey Spinel'. It's so useful watching online, as searching on Google can be done at the same time. Tahitian Pearls can be bought, set in precious metals of your choosing, not at the ridiculous prices he always quotes from the Hong Kong trade fare for example. Jade can be bought anywhere, various grades and colours, again not for the prices he quotes. Now he's back with Queen Conch, which most likely will break. I buy a piece if I like it, not for its potential future value. The way they carry on, my children would be able to buy mansions when they sell my rings and necklaces on! I am getting really tired of DT, JF et al making what I believe are at best, not accurate descriptions of rareity or future value. Steve Bennett, if he wants the company to survive, needs to get back in the driving seat and do a startover. Ok rant over

Troth again waffling, putting multiple clocks on, telling tall tales of high values etc. Same performance every time. He’s done his utmost this morning to convince people that the conch that they’re selling looks like pearls of the conch. When they finally showed an item the shell was actually a pale pink and underwhelming.Certainly not the deep colour shown on examples. He loves to throw in his few stock phrases as well such as his favourite,” the reality is…” Also, welcome Goggs!

Always complaining said:

I can go one better. I have a rolled gold bangle that is 45 years old. It was worn and worn. It was dipped in silver dip. It still looks the very same . I was wondering the same thing but I haven’t seen rolled gold for years. I think the nearest thing to it now is gold filled. That’s popular in America. That seems to have a regulated percentage of gold that is higher than vermeil but I’m open to correction. Gold plate is useless. It would be far better to leave it silver colour.

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I'm not just saying this, but truth be told, I don't really know how old my necklace is. I got it around that time, from the shop of my first boss, after he deceased and we were 'closing' down. When there, in the basement there was still stock from the jubilee ('77) as well as muppet related mugs. SOOOOO, it may have been from the 70s or 80s, no telling, but either way, I haven't needed to clean it either.

And although I have gold over silver, I agree, I do much prefer silver on its own, OR gold on its own. I recall buying a ring off Gems that I thought was midas. On the cert, it said gold tone. I didn't send it back, but I was rather disappointed. I feel an associated comment to the either or, just because. Mocha coffee. I like chocolate and I like coffee, but not together.

Goggs1966 said:

So 1st post as have only just joined. But I am so totally dismayed by Gemporia now compared to 20 years ago, I have to rant. Firstly - Dave Troth (aka David Harry or whatever). This man spouts for half an hour about pearls, jade or, like this morning, 'Grey Spinel'. It's so useful watching online, as searching on Google can be done at the same time. Tahitian Pearls can be bought, set in precious metals of your choosing, not at the ridiculous prices he always quotes from the Hong Kong trade fare for example. Jade can be bought anywhere, various grades and colours, again not for the prices he quotes. Now he's back with Queen Conch, which most likely will break. I buy a piece if I like it, not for its potential future value. The way they carry on, my children would be able to buy mansions when they sell my rings and necklaces on! I am getting really tired of DT, JF et al making what I believe are at best, not accurate descriptions of rareity or future value. Steve Bennett, if he wants the company to survive, needs to get back in the driving seat and do a startover. Ok rant over

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More fool me but still watching and he's still there with his 30 second clocks, Jade and now Pearls. Jess is shouting as normal. I should turn them off but a message I sent to the studio has been ignored. He said something had sold out but it's a miracle, it's still there. So annoying!!!

Battiola73 said:

However stainless steel or gold/silver tone is a big no no from me, both of which seems to be getting sold more on Gemporia and QVC.

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Steel seems to be more of a QVC thing. The next thing Gemporia will come out with is base metal in silver tone

Battiola73 said:

Years ago I wanted a sterling silver watch (not from Gemporia) but they only made it with gold plate. So I bought it and in less than a year the plating wore away and I got the watch in sterling silver! I do buy occasionally gold plated earrings as they don’t get the wear and tear like a ring, bracelet or necklace do.

I always buy sterling silver as the only gold items I could afford would be thin and flimsy and I prefer more chunky jewellery. However stainless steel or gold/silver tone is a big no no from me, both of which seems to be getting sold more on Gemporia and QVC.

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A family member bought a 'Midas' item of jewellery a few years ago - and it was returned within a month because the plating had worn down to the silver.

If it comes off that quickly on the 'Midas' jewellery, I dread to think how quickly it wears off the 'Gold plated' jewellery, or even worse, the Gold tone jewellery.

I've recently seen them selling gold-plated jewellery for £299. There's going to be a lot of disappointed customers after paying that much, only to find that the plating wears off, and they're lumbered with it because it's gone past the paltry 6 month warranty.

TheManWithNoName said:

I've recently seen them selling gold-plated jewellery for £299. There's going to be a lot of disappointed customers after paying that much, only to find that the plating wears off, and they're lumbered with it because it's gone past the paltry 6 month warranty.

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Simple get out. Silver, Gold or Platinum. NO coating of any thickness.

Goggs1966 said:

So 1st post as have only just joined. But I am so totally dismayed by Gemporia now compared to 20 years ago, I have to rant. Firstly - Dave Troth (aka David Harry or whatever). This man spouts for half an hour about pearls, jade or, like this morning, 'Grey Spinel'. It's so useful watching online, as searching on Google can be done at the same time. Tahitian Pearls can be bought, set in precious metals of your choosing, not at the ridiculous prices he always quotes from the Hong Kong trade fare for example. Jade can be bought anywhere, various grades and colours, again not for the prices he quotes. Now he's back with Queen Conch, which most likely will break. I buy a piece if I like it, not for its potential future value. The way they carry on, my children would be able to buy mansions when they sell my rings and necklaces on! I am getting really tired of DT, JF et al making what I believe are at best, not accurate descriptions of rareity or future value. Steve Bennett, if he wants the company to survive, needs to get back in the driving seat and do a startover. Ok rant over

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I don't think Steve is too bothered. When Colin Wagstaffe was shown the door, Steve came on TV and told us that he was going to be running Gemporia again, Sarah would be bringing back her designs, and he would 'bring the excitement back'.

That was short lived. The running of the company was handed over to Jake Thompson, I think we saw a handful of Sarah Bennett designs, as for the excitement - the channel is more boring than ever, With constant Dave Troth overloads and endless Jade and Pearl shows.

Steve Bennett only seems to come on screen now to flog Primal Living lotions and potions, those hideous white Stormtrooper-esque LED masks, and Bamboo bedding.

If this channel survives, I'll be amazed.

Ant7t said:

The next thing Gemporia will come out with is base metal in silver tone

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Aluminium tone plastic.

Lindsey with another ludicrous price comparison earlier.

She was flogging a pearl necklace and earring set. She price compared to an 18k gold pair of earrings priced in the thousands of pounds.

Lindsey's set was gold plated.........

AND yet more misleading via dubious price comparisons.

Toby & Cherry Cavill flogging a multi-colour Sapphire Bracelet.

Toby pipes up about how you'd spend £100,000 for "something like this" at Bulgari.

Up pop the usual price comparisons on screen - an 18k gold yellow gold bracelet in the thousands. A 14k white gold bracelet in the thousands. Another 18k gold bracelet in the thousands. The treatment of the stones can't be seen - but at those prices, likely untreated or heat-treated.

Gemporia's bracelet - MIDAS with a mixture of DIFFUSION treated stones and heat-treated stones.

TheManWithNoName said:

AND yet more misleading via dubious price comparisons.

Toby & Cherry Cavill flogging a multi-colour Sapphire Bracelet.

Toby pipes up about how you'd spend £100,000 for "something like this" at Bulgari.

Up pop the usual price comparisons on screen - an 18k gold yellow gold bracelet in the thousands. A 14k white gold bracelet in the thousands. Another 18k gold bracelet in the thousands. The treatment of the stones can't be seen - but at those prices, likely untreated or heat-treated.

Gemporia's bracelet - MIDAS with a mixture of DIFFUSION treated stones and heat-treated stones.

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The Cavills have succumbed to the same old BS as the other presenters. Toby's ramblings the other day were akin to Hattie on a bad day; makes you think they're all working from the same script now.