From what I can gather IW are really just a virtual shop window for other retailers.
The presteige watches are pretty rubbish. Some people are true connoiseurs of time pieces and some think they are, big difference. Neither me, nor my husband would know one end of a Rolex from the other end of a Timex, we are not watchy types. I have read some sad reviews from IW customers, who have bought in to the watch collecting scene. Some have a massive collection and good luck to them, everybody needs a hobby. IW watches seem to fall to bits, so if I ever do need a watch, I will stay clear of IW, likewise Gemporia.
Personally I last bought from IW back in 2002. To be fair, I had bought a few low ticket items and whilst not blown away, I had no complaints. Then I was watching a jewellery show, one of my trigger impulses and I caved in. To be honest, they didn't have to convince me. It was an open heart necklace in platinum, with a small 5 point SI1-2 diamond rub over set and it looked really pretty. I was so diappointed when it arrived because the diamond was terrible quality. I am no jeweller but even I know that grade of diamond should be clean to the naked eye. This had a mahoosive inclusion, which obscured 50% of the stone. I thought it was dirt and tried to clean it but realised it was an inclusion. Called IW and went through all the return rigmarole and naturally at my own expense. Replacement did arrive quickly but this stone was milky white, actually worse than the 1st. Repeated returns process but this time asked for a refund. Road block. Eventually after many emails and calls, I cannot get them to give my money back. I was never rude, abusive or shouty, that only ends one way but the last lady still hung up on me. This was when c/s was UK based, so I alled again and still no joy. Lo and behold, I got another parcel with the necklace, the problem was it was the 1st necklace I returned, they had just shipped it out again. I had to really fight them to get a refund. In the end, I did get my £188 back which was the cost of the rubbish necklace but I never managed to get any postage costs either way, nor reimbursed for telephone calls. So after that I voted with my feet and have not been back since and always tell anyone I can that they are crooks and just read the reviews on trustpilot, I am certainly not alone.
There is a sort of happy side to this story though. After I got my money back, I think it was 4 or 5 weeks later, the sodding necklace turned up again, with the big inclusion, like a bliddy homing pigeon! Normally, I pride myself on being honest. I don't rip people off, shops, ebay sellers or anyone, they are trying to make a living. To my shame (minimal, I was raised Catholic, so shame is drilled into you by pointy fingered nuns!), I never contacted them again and it sits in the jewellery box to this day, unworn but kind of an "up yours" trophy.
Ballerina x
