Quartzite Jade REALLY!

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AndyW said:
I might be reading this incorrectly but this Gemporia response implies that a repaired item could end up having even less than 6 months warranty, after a repair?!
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They're a shambles. They just will not stand by their products - despite having the audacity to compare themselves to the likes of Tiffany's, Monica Vinader, Bulgari, etc.

6 months is the minimum warranty a company can offer by law. You can bet your life that if the law said that the minimum is 3 months, then Gemporia would only offer 3 months.

However, Gemporia think that this is their trump card - but it isn't. I've forced a refund outside of their 6 month warranty period before under the Consumer Rights Act because the law states that "all products must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described".

I bought something from Gemporia years ago - and it broke inside 6 months. Gemporia replaced it. The replacement then also failed, literally, one week after the warranty period had expired - and Gemporia refused to refund or replace it.

I reminded them that, in law, their products have to be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose. My argument was that if two items had failed within just over 6 months, there was clearly a design flaw. Someone else had left a review online also stating that theirs had failed within 6 months - which gave me additional evidence of short lifespan.

Gemporia still wouldn't budge - so I told them that I was going to get an independent report from an expert - and I reminded them that, in law, if the report says that the item was in fact poorly designed or inherently faulty, they were legally obliged to refund the cost of the report.

At this point, they conceded - probably because they knew that the item wasn't up to it (they likely had other returns of the same item, but obviously they wouldn't admit that to me), and they probably knew that the report wouldn't go in their favour, and therefore it would cost them money. At that point, they refunded the item in full.

Gemporia tell people that they "cannot" do anything once the warranty has expired. Nonsense. They are still responsible for the item for up to 6 years - the only difference is, after 6 months, the burden of proof shifts to the customer. The customer has to prove that the item was faulty or badly designed, whereas inside 6 months, the customer does not have to prove that the item was faulty or badly designed, instead, the retailer (Gemporia) has to prove that the item wasn't faulty instead.

It really annoys me when they cay "cannot go against their terms and conditions". What they really mean is, they 'will not go against their terms and conditions'. There's a big difference between 'cannot' and 'will not'.
 
Ant7t said:
I read that as only 3 months too. And, I am not the grammar police, or whatever they're called, but YOU'RE welcome and IT'S (or sounding better, IT HAS only THREE months (no Got) ) Those are the two I noticed immediately. In fact, looking at it, I'd completely re-write it. ;)
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I spotted that too. Very unprofessional.
 
Ant7t said:
I read that as only 3 months too. And, I am not the grammar police, or whatever they're called, but YOU'RE welcome and IT'S (or sounding better, IT HAS only THREE months (no Got) ) Those are the two I noticed immediately. In fact, looking at it, I'd completely re-write it. ;)
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Yes, I noticed the bad grammar too. Absolutely terrible!
 
TheManWithNoName said:
They're a shambles. They just will not stand by their products - despite having the audacity to compare themselves to the likes of Tiffany's, Monica Vinader, Bulgari, etc.

6 months is the minimum warranty a company can offer by law. You can bet your life that if the law said that the minimum is 3 months, then Gemporia would only offer 3 months.

However, Gemporia think that this is their trump card - but it isn't. I've forced a refund outside of their 6 month warranty period before under the Consumer Rights Act because the law states that "all products must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described".

I bought something from Gemporia years ago - and it broke inside 6 months. Gemporia replaced it. The replacement then also failed, literally, one week after the warranty period had expired - and Gemporia refused to refund or replace it.

I reminded them that, in law, their products have to be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose. My argument was that if two items had failed within just over 6 months, there was clearly a design flaw. Someone else had left a review online also stating that theirs had failed within 6 months - which gave me additional evidence of short lifespan.

Gemporia still wouldn't budge - so I told them that I was going to get an independent report from an expert - and I reminded them that, in law, if the report says that the item was in fact poorly designed or inherently faulty, they were legally obliged to refund the cost of the report.

At this point, they conceded - probably because they knew that the item wasn't up to it (they likely had other returns of the same item, but obviously they wouldn't admit that to me), and they probably knew that the report wouldn't go in their favour, and therefore it would cost them money. At that point, they refunded the item in full.

Gemporia tell people that they "cannot" do anything once the warranty has expired. Nonsense. They are still responsible for the item for up to 6 years - the only difference is, after 6 months, the burden of proof shifts to the customer. The customer has to prove that the item was faulty or badly designed, whereas inside 6 months, the customer does not have to prove that the item was faulty or badly designed, instead, the retailer (Gemporia) has to prove that the item wasn't faulty instead.

It really annoys me when they cay "cannot go against their terms and conditions". What they really mean is, they 'will not go against their terms and conditions'. There's a big difference between 'cannot' and 'will not'.
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If they had been aware from the number of returns that an item was faulty then it's pretty appalling that they didn't hold up their hands and refund the money without quibbling. What makes you sick is all the chat about how reputable they are and how it's all one big happy family - how is this the case if they try to wriggle out of their obligations to the customer? I'm still laughing at a presenter comparing an item they were auctioning the other day to something you could purchase from Van Cleef and Arpels! In yer dreams, love.
 
TheManWithNoName said:
He's been reported to the Advertising Standards Authority numerous times for this very claim - but as of yet, they've failed to take action on this one.

I strongly urge you to also report it to the ASA too then multiple reports might get something done about it.

It's misleading and, potentially, fraud too because its obtaining money by deception.
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Can people instead of going to the ASA go to Trading Standards I have a massive complaint at Trading Standards.
 
Jojo1 said:
I note Dave is putting extra effort into explaining why quartzite can be called Jade. I recently came across some reviews of his jade mystery boxes. Poorly rated. https://www.gemporia.com/en-gb/prod...angle-earrings-bracelet-and-necklace)/qmg225/
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This has prompted me to check their trustpilot reviews and whilst most of them are generally good there was one that stood out to me. I’m not sure if it’s been posted here but it was from July and a customer who has acquired quite a few pieces from Gemporia. She took them along with the certificates to 15 jewellers in Hatton Garden who all said the same thing. Essentially they were worth only scrap metal value. Apparently they’d had another customer a few months back with similar experience (it says she spent 80 grand at Gemporia and her items were worth around 5 grand resale). Gemporia’s response was go to Safeguard which is utterly infuriating as I’m sure they know that Safeguard provide insurance valuations not resale valuations as I’ve found out at my own peril. Whilst I cannot validate what was posted this very much mirrors my own experience and my huge regrets with what I’ve spent over the years so I’m likely to believe it.
 
recoveringgemaholic said:
This has prompted me to check their trustpilot reviews and whilst most of them are generally good there was one that stood out to me. I’m not sure if it’s been posted here but it was from July and a customer who has acquired quite a few pieces from Gemporia. She took them along with the certificates to 15 jewellers in Hatton Garden who all said the same thing. Essentially they were worth only scrap metal value. Apparently they’d had another customer a few months back with similar experience (it says she spent 80 grand at Gemporia and her items were worth around 5 grand resale). Gemporia’s response was go to Safeguard which is utterly infuriating as I’m sure they know that Safeguard provide insurance valuations not resale valuations as I’ve found out at my own peril. Whilst I cannot validate what was posted this very much mirrors my own experience and my huge regrets with what I’ve spent over the years so I’m likely to believe it.
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They refer everyone to Safeguard, they've been doing this for years, and probably hope that people don't realise that the valuation they get is for insurance purposes. I'd guess that someone on here who was boasting about 'making a profit on everything' a few weeks back hadn't realised this, either. You might make a profit on a few things from years ago (in fact, I sold on a silver piece at a charity sale and did make a profit, although only a modest one), but it was from when Gemporia used decent metal weights, really heavy silver, and in my personal opinion you'd be lucky to make a profit on the more modern stuff.
 
recoveringgemaholic said:
She took them along with the certificates to 15 jewellers in Hatton Garden who all said the same thing. Essentially they were worth only scrap metal value. Apparently they’d had another customer a few months back with similar experience (it says she spent 80 grand at Gemporia and her items were worth around 5 grand resale).
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The worst place to take jewellery to be valued is another jewellers. It needs to go to a specialist valuation company.

Her jewellery won't be worth 80 grand - but it will also be worth more than scrap value and 5 grand resale.

Jewellers will always lowball. They do so in the hope that someone says "Would you be interested in buying it off me?" - and then the jeweller will buy it at way below its worth so that they can sell it at its realistic price (and that's where they make their profit).

A independent valuer, that does not sell jewellery, and therefore there is no conflict of interest, will probably say that it's 'actual' value is probably closer to 10 grand - but the insurance valuation will be considerably more than 80 grand.

People think that a valuation gives a true reflection of what their jewellery is worth. In reality, it is so far away from that.

The 'default' valuation is an insurance valuation - which will ALWAYS be higher than the price paid. That's because an insurance evaluation is based upon replicating or sourcing an identical ring or very similar. Therefore, they have to factor in FUTURE costs of re-sourcing a stone at FUTURE costs, FUTURE labour costs at recreating the setting, etc.
 
Here's a random comment. Highly doubtful, but are 'you' liable to get more joy from selling loose stones, over made jewellery? Not counting the metal, coz there's barely any of late.
 
I remember years back seeing an episode of Dickinsons Real Deal and there was a lady in her early seventies who was selling her collection of loose gems all in little boxes also bought to house said gems. They cost her hundreds of pounds over time but they only sold for less than ninety pounds or something similar. All bought from Gemporia.
 
To be fair, most of the dealers on DRD aren't into gems specifically. A couple like jewellery but I seem to remember that the only dealer who knew his stuff in that way was Ian Towning. There's definitely a completely separate market out there and some jewellery makers (other than Susie Menham!) are always looking for small parcels. But if all you have are some loose standard size & cut beryls, garnets, amethysts and diamonds, it's unlikely to be of much interest to an antique dealer.
 
Not necessarily speaking personally, but even if I were, it's highly depressing that many buyers will be disappointed. Gullible isn't the term, not really, but maybe misguided. And THAT is not the buyer's fault. It's almost like a legalised scam. 'We told you this, and if you choose to believe it, it's not our fault' kinda thing.
 
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AndyW said:
To be fair, most of the dealers on DRD aren't into gems specifically. A couple like jewellery but I seem to remember that the only dealer who knew his stuff in that way was Ian Towning. There's definitely a completely separate market out there and some jewellery makers (other than Susie Menham!) are always looking for small parcels. But if all you have are some loose standard size & cut beryls, garnets, amethysts and diamonds, it's unlikely to be of much interest to an antique dealer.
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Blimey, Ian Towning! He wore so much jewellery round his neck that he reminded me of a combination of BA Barracus (for those who remember that far back), a ship's anchor and the Lord Mayor of London. I liked him, though, and think he knew his stuff.
 
historymystery said:
Blimey, Ian Towning! He wore so much jewellery round his neck that he reminded me of a combination of BA Barracus (for those who remember that far back), a ship's anchor and the Lord Mayor of London. I liked him, though, and think he knew his stuff.
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I don't know of him, but I know Mr T. So, that's a lot of jewellery indeed.
 
Ostrichkeeper said:
I remember years back seeing an episode of Dickinsons Real Deal and there was a lady in her early seventies who was selling her collection of loose gems all in little boxes also bought to house said gems. They cost her hundreds of pounds over time but they only sold for less than ninety pounds or something similar. All bought from Gemporia.
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I remember that episode. It wasn't even £90. It was something like £30.

Some of those dealers really try it on though. Although I remember the set and it was something like Smokey Quartzs and filled Rubies anyway - so they were low value stones.
 

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