GemsTV bring back the middle men

[Administrator]

<img src="http://www.shoppingtelly.com/images/gemstv/gtv.jpg" border="0" hspace="4" vspace="3" align="right" />Gems TV Holdings Limited (“Gems TV”) announced today a strategic decision to fully outsource its gemstone jewellery supply, in a move aimed at reducing operating costs, increasing supply chain efficiency and improving manufacturing flexibility.<br /><br />Gems TV has utilized outsourced suppliers for a proportion of its inventory since inception, and has recently enjoyed higher profit margins from outsourced products. The company will be working with major suppliers in countries such as Thailand, India and China. Gems TV will cease the majority of the manufacturing operations at its factory in Chanthaburi, Thailand from 1st February 2010. Affected employees will be given severance benefits in line with Thai law.<br /><br />This development will not have any material impact on the net tangible assets and earnings per share of the Company for the financial year ending 30 June 2010.

 

[argeybargey]

No surprises there then. This has been building up over at least the last year, with distinctive design groups and all the costume and non jewellery items coming in.

Gems has gone and the remaining presenters have sold their souls having done a refresher at acting school. I caught a few minutes of Vicki C this evening, and quite honestly she was a disgrace. The I'm so sincere performance backed by sickly sweet music was quite frankly embarrassing. Oh well, all good things come to an end they say.

Pity the poor souls in Thailand having been paid severance "according to Thai law". That would be minimal or nothing at all then? xxxxxxxx

 

[jacqualina]

No, I'm not surprised either Argey, what a shambles it's all become. Watched for a few minutes last night. The music was bizarre and awful, Lynn was completely manic and her hair looked as though she'd been dragged through a hedge backwards (as my dear old mother used to say). It was totally unwatchable imo.
I remember ages ago having a discussion on here with you about the presenters when you said you felt sorry for them. I said they could always leave and you thought I was being a bit harsh, do you remember? (Obviously you are a kinder soul than I am!) So many have left and I do wonder how the ones who have stayed really feel, but I agree with you that it now seems they have sold their souls and will do anything to persuade us to buy. Goodness only knows what they'll start selling next.
Imagine how many hundreds of people will be made redundant in Thailand, it's a very bad time for them and a sad time for anyone who remembers and loved the Gems of old.
Gemstv RIP.

 

[argeybargey]

No, I'm not surprised either Argey, what a shambles it's all become. Watched for a few minutes last night. The music was bizarre and awful, Lynn was completely manic and her hair looked as though she'd been dragged through a hedge backwards (as my dear old mother used to say). It was totally unwatchable imo.
I remember ages ago having a discussion on here with you about the presenters when you said you felt sorry for them. I said they could always leave and you thought I was being a bit harsh, do you remember? (Obviously you are a kinder soul than I am!) So many have left and I do wonder how the ones who have stayed really feel, but I agree with you that it now seems they have sold their souls and will do anything to persuade us to buy. Goodness only knows what they'll start selling next.
Imagine how many hundreds of people will be made redundant in Thailand, it's a very bad time for them and a sad time for anyone who remembers and loved the Gems of old.
Gemstv RIP.

I do indeed Jacqualina, perhaps we both had a point. Those with integrity have gone or are making plans, and we are left with the rest (some surprises, some not). xxxxxxxx

 

[mummy bear]

personally i think gems tv should now bow out with any dignity they have left.

 

[tequila]

so what have they left they no longer sell just genuine gems or just gold and silver they no longer just buy from source or is manufactured at their own place in Thailand what are they now a channel that has become Americanise with over Zealous presenters and over loud pathetic music dont these bosses realize that the great british bling buyer doesnt want this that why regulars have stopped buying

 

[persianglitter]

I thought that this would happen - seeing as gems have made absolutely no references to their links with Thailand in the last several months. If you remember they always used to show clipettes of what the staff out there were doing, and how gems were SO proud of giving new jobs to students, who will go on to have a job "for life" in the jewellery business.

I note that the gemstv statement mentions, that for every member of staff in Thailand affected by this, they will receive severance pay! well bully for Gemstv! is that all the thanks these hard working people in Thailand receive? :mysmilie_73: they have been well and truly shafted and screwed over by gemstv!


With their standards of treating people, the way that Gemstv has; I will never ever purchase from Gemstv again! :mysmilie_698: its no wonder Liv (who was on this morning 2/2/10 at 8am) had a face and a voice like she had been up all night sucking lemons! :mysmilie_697:

Gemstv have left a bad taste in a lot of peoples mouths - SHAME ON YOU GEMS TV!!!! I doubt very much that they will last too long now, they have lost my admiration a long time ago, and now they have lost my respect, and my custom.

 

[Mirabelle]

I really feel for the thai employers been made redundant that sucks.....

No old tat for me thanks..we want quality if we buy..

 

[Sapphireblue]

Hi
I was going to start a thread on how long before Gems TV bite the dust. Today's annoucment is so sad. The "suits" who took control of Gems TV a few years ago are not jewellerys they are interested in return on their investments.

It's such a shame that talented people in Thailand are being made redundant, lets hope TJC, Rocks tv and others who have jewellery manufacturing in the country can offer new employment to these people.

I am not sure how long Gems TV can go on, the jewellery range is does not pass the "so what" test for style, innovation or value for money! I do feel sorry for the presenters, they are under pressure from Rock tv now and with it a reminder why Gems TV was so successful when Steve Bennett was in charge.

People buy from people they trust! Gems TV of old is now Rocks tv.

Sapphireblue

 

[argeybargey]

personally i think gems tv should now bow out with any dignity they have left.

Too late Mummybear. I'm not convinced Gems are finished, just spoiled for those of us who knew something better. The coated diamonds still sell, the cheap tat sells. Given how fast it all moves now, the odd piece that doesn't sell much at one time may well go at another with little time lost to a no/minimal sale. I think they'll be alright, it's just us that won't. <a href="http://plugin.smileycentral.com/http%253A%252F%252Fwww.smileycentral.com%252F%253Fpartner%253DZSzeb008%255FZNxpt484YYGB%2526i%253D36%252F36%255F1%255F46%2526feat%253Dprof/page.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_46.gif" alt="SmileyCentral.com" border="0"><img border="0" src="http://plugin.smileycentral.com/http%253A%252F%252Fimgfarm%252Ecom%252Fimages%252Fnocache%252Ftr%252Ffw%252Fsmiley%252Fsocial%252Egif%253Fi%253D36%252F36_1_46%2526uiv%253D3.0/image.gif"></a>

 

[tequila]

Too late Mummybear. I'm not convinced Gems are finished, just spoiled for those of us who knew something better. The coated diamonds still sell, the cheap tat sells. Given how fast it all moves now, the odd piece that doesn't sell much at one time may well go at another with little time lost to a no/minimal sale. I think they'll be alright, it's just us that won't. <a href="http://plugin.smileycentral.com/http%253A%252F%252Fwww.smileycentral.com%252F%253Fpartner%253DZSzeb008%255FZNxpt484YYGB%2526i%253D36%252F36%255F1%255F46%2526feat%253Dprof/page.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_1_46.gif" alt="SmileyCentral.com" border="0"><img border="0" src="http://plugin.smileycentral.com/http%253A%252F%252Fimgfarm%252Ecom%252Fimages%252Fnocache%252Ftr%252Ffw%252Fsmiley%252Fsocial%252Egif%253Fi%253D36%252F36_1_46%2526uiv%253D3.0/image.gif"></a>

Ithink you are right argy it amazes me when that cheap stuff goes i did order when it first came out on gems some LIlly Allan stuff because it was quirky i opened package took one look and it was back in the post within an hour biggest piece of sqit :mysmilie_34::mysmiliei have ever seen

 

[jacqualina]

Hi

It's such a shame that talented people in Thailand are being made redundant, lets hope TJC, Rocks tv and others who have jewellery manufacturing in the country can offer new employment to these people.

Sapphireblue

I don't think it's likely the redundant Thai staff will get a job with Rockstv because they do most of their manufacturing in India.

I agree with Argey that the Pile 'em High, Sell 'em Cheap approach must be working for them and that's why they've made this major change.
At the risk of irking Argey though :mysmilie_17:, I would also like to say SHAME ON ALL THE LONG TERM PRESENTERS who are still there and have spent years spouting the Gemstv ethos at as, but now appear to be perfectly happy selling the exact opposite! It just goes to show that some people will do/say anything for money. Can you tell I'm disgusted? :mysmilie_73:

 

[emerald]

Although I hardly watch at all now its sad to see the change,some of my favourite pieces were bought here a pair of drop apatite earings and a little tangerine garnet ring the colour of IRN BRU.In their last genuine clearance (some time ago)I bought a rhodolite garnet ring for £30 its very pretty.I used to like Sam presenting as she had a pleasant calm manner but feel of late they are encouraging the presenters to have a much more aggressive style which goes against some of their personalities.Its not easy finding other work in this climate and maybe some of them have tried to make moves we dont know about but when there are bills to be paid not everyone can up sticks and leave.I feel sorry for the poor Thai workers who probably dont have any state system to help out while they acquire other work.

 

[MissMagpie]

First of all, love the headline, Graham!

Two other points strike me.

1. Gems say that "Gems TV has utilized outsourced suppliers for a proportion of its inventory since inception". Well we have always known that this is true - for example the Victoria range very clearly comes from a wholesaler called R Victorian (www.rvictorian.com) who also supplied Rocks & Co's 'Vintage 1908' range when they first started. So why then did Gems used to insist that ALL their jewellery was made in house, when clearly it never was? I can't see the point of that - why not just be honest from the outset?

2. Gems in-house designs were awful when they first started, but have improved considerably since then, and I have had some very beautiful and distinctive pieces from them of late. I will be very sorry to see them go.

Maybe some of the employees will get jobs with Rocks & Co, if they're still with us? I think it's pretty clear that they DO genuinely now manufacture all their own jewellery, which shares a common 'look and feel', in their factory in Chanthaburi.

 

[Sacha]

Firstly I'm very sorry to hear that so many skilled and experienced workers in Thailand will be losing their jobs, hopefully another organisation will take over and keep the factory as a going concern.

Secondly I don't like to see GemsTV go to the dogs, they have brought some lovely jewellery and unusual gemstones at great prices to the viewing public over the past few years and it is appreciated...by me anyway!

Thirdly, I think the studio head honchos need to rethink their selling and presenting strategies. If it continues to go downmarket (the overhyped presenting styles and that b awful klaxon going off all the time during the clearance!!) then folks who continue to buy from Gems will be embarrassed to even admit where they bought their pieces from, if the channel becomes a figure of derision!

Folks want good quality, stylish and classy jewellery and they want it from a channel that presents itself in the same way. So I'm sorry Gems but you need to ditch the dross, re-train some of the presenters and head up-market again!
IMVHO of course. :mysmilie_1716:

 

[cherrypicker]

so no longer can they promote "cutting out the middle men" ....such a shame when you think of all those people loosing their jobs....remember in the old days, the footage of the presenters and the people working in the workshops.....and all that about helping to fund courses at colleges in Thailand.....I agree they should just bow out gracefully!

 

[Beady Belle]

Several years ago I visited Gems Towers, and was shown around by Steve Bennett. He was very proud of the fact that the employees in Thailand were treated well, and earned above average wages for the area, as well as having been given a usefull skill. What a shame that the new management have decided to 'outsource', thereby making these workers redundant.

I used to buy from Gems all the time, but the only thing I've bought recently was a Vanity Fair mirror compact. I doubt I'll buy from the again, as like the rest of you, I find the current format unwatchable.

SHAME SHAME SHAME!!!!!

 

[jellylegs]

I hope i don't sound thick by saying this, But if they are making better 'profit margins' from 'outsourcing' doesn't that mean the costs are better than making the jewellery themselves?
If it costs £100 to make a ring, or £80 to buy it made, surely it makes sense to buy it already made right?.......

 

[argeybargey]

Several years ago I visited Gems Towers, and was shown around by Steve Bennett. He was very proud of the fact that the employees in Thailand were treated well, and earned above average wages for the area, as well as having been given a usefull skill. What a shame that the new management have decided to 'outsource', thereby making these workers redundant.

I used to buy from Gems all the time, but the only thing I've bought recently was a Vanity Fair mirror compact. I doubt I'll buy from the again, as like the rest of you, I find the current format unwatchable.

SHAME SHAME SHAME!!!!!

If we do buy anything from Gems now, we'll also have to consider its provenance. There is now the likelihood that it's come from a sweatship, and that the rock is being cut and polished by children and the elderly (given that Gems now appear to have an eye only for profit). xxxxxx