asquiths jewellers Post Reply

[Lima]

Hello, has anyone else had a problem with Asquiths the jewellers on Northcote road ? I was reduced to tears (not easy usually) by a member of their staff a few weeks ago after losing my docket for a repair, shockingly bad customer service (and i was in retail for 13 years so have some experience in this area!) Anyway the net result is that i need to find a decent, preferably friendly, jewellery repair place to take several pieces to so would be grateful for any suggestions......thanks !

[Scrooge_in_SW11]

Sorry to hear of your poor experience...as it happens, my sister had a similarly bad experience with them but not for the same reason - she was just mucked around by them for ages and in the end took her business elsewhere. This is yet another shop on Northcote Road that takes its customers completely for granted unfortunately. They charge an arm and a leg for anything and everything and never do so even with a smile. And there was me thinking I was grumpy sometimes...! I went in looking for an insurance assessment and they wanted to charge 1.5% of the total value of the items in question - bearing in mind it was for items valued around £20,000 this was an unbelievable charging structure (albeit relatively common from what I have subsequently heard). Instead I went back to where I bought the items although it was out of my way to do so.

BEST EXPERIENCE I have had on Northcote Road? The opticians (light green fronted store?) up near the Douglas & Gordon estate agents / opposite Mrs Ramsey's new outfit. Mended my sunglasses free of charge following around 20 minutes work. Really, really polite and didn't want a penny from me. When I asked whether I could leave some money in their charity collection container (in lieu of payment), which most opticians tend to have, they told me that they do not have one any longer as some guys tried to steal it a year or so earlier - can you believe some people?!

PLEASE make sure you go there if you need some glasses - I only use mine for reading so cannot give them much business but i would encourage you to use them and see for yourself - they are very nice indeed. The guys in the chemists close by to them are also very nice.

I have also had pretty good service from the car garage on the corner of Northcote nr. the library. Very efficient service and all done very well indeed. Even showed me how the air filter etc. was in dire need of replacement due to it being all clogged up (and to show me that they don't rip people off too no doubt by replacing one which looked fine).

Nice staff in the Co-Op too although their products are, on the whole, poor unfortunately.

[kpk]

I have only had 1 really bad experience on northcote road and it was also at asquiths jewellers. the man was just rude but in a way that really upset me and I'm also not easily upset. I promised I would never so in there again and I have never felt that way about anywhere - sounds really dramatic and I am really not that kind of person, but he was nasty.

[Scrooge_in_SW11]

Sounds about right for that place. My sister said exactly the same and I have vowed never to return...how does a place like that make money in this day & age when their customer service is so poor?!

[dollymum]

I think there is a new place on Webbs Road called W&W or something like that - has anyone used it yet ? It is appointment only so not sure if it is repairs, sales, both or neither !

[PenelopeP]

There is a very nice and helpful small jewellers at the bottom of Earlsfield Road on Garrat Lane (no 336) , called David Simmons? He has mended several pieces of jewellery cheaply and with a smile. Literally drive down Earlsfield Rd. When you get to the bottom where it meets Garratt Lane the shop is bang opposite.

[Working Mom]

I also have a bad experience with asquith jewellers.
when I was looking for a present for my god daughter's christening, they suggested a pearl necklace. I didn't buy it at first time and went back to buy it when I decided to go for it. And they quoted higher price (£75 VS £85) second time. There is no price tag on their items, so I guess whatever they say is their price, i.e. prices can be different every time you visit???!!! Non sense.

[EmmaVictoriaID]

I also had an unpleasant experience in Asquiths. The chap was horribly patronising, I went in for some engraving and he asked me what I wanted then when I told him, snorted at me, like I was being ridiculous. I only wanted 'On your christening, child's name and date', and I was a bit incredulous and said "what's the matter is that too much?" and he said "Obviously". He hadn't told me the price and again kept using "obviously" when I asked a question, in the end I snapped at him and had a bit of a heated exchange and left in a foul mood. They obviously have total disdain for the middle class Mums who are the main stay of their custom, and having been there so long never try to hide it. It's reverse snobbery at it's worst in my opinion.

[Skinny Minny]

I went to Asquiths in the summer to sell some gold jewellery I no longer wear. We agreed a price and he handed me a rolled up bundle of notes and said he wouldn't give me a receipt as they were just going to melt it down. Foolishly, I did not check the money in the shop and when I happened to pull out the roll of notes in my car which was parked just outside I was £50 short. I returned to the shop immediately but as far as he was concerned he had given me the correct money and I could have been pulling a fast one! I have used them regularly over the years for repairs and engravings and felt affronted that he should suggest that. Whilst I know I was wrong not to check it I also felt really angry that a customer could be treated that way. Never again will I enter their doors.

[scrappybluecat]

I am going to defend Asquiths as I have always had excellent service from them. They will change a watch battery while you wait - do their best to repair/mend anything that I have taken to them. They are an old fashioned company and perhaps don't do the "smarm and charm" as well as some but have always been incredibly helpful to me.

[Fernando]

I've always had good service from them and regularly been greeted personally by name. I have bought several christening presents from them over the last 12 or so years and had many watches serviced and batteries changed. I would agree that they are not ingratiating types but not a problem for me.

Not sure why you should all have had bad service - is it one of the staff in particular?

[Oneofeach]

I'm sad to say we've had two bad experiences with Asquiths. The first was a few years ago when I turned 30. My husband bought me a beautiful ring but it needed to be re-sized. We took it to Asquiths two weeks before my big birthday party, telling them clearly that we wanted it back by then. Unfortunately, on the big day, having not heard from them I popped in to collect it (ever hopeful) only to get an earful saying they'd never agreed to have it done by then and that it'd be another week.

The second was more recently when my husband dropped in his late Grandfather's watch in the hope that they could mend it. They said they weren't sure so wouldn't give him a receipt "just yet". Later that day he received a call saying they could remedy the problem and he gave them the go ahead. Weeks later, having never heard back from them he popped in last weekend to see what was happening. The guy dealing with it was utterly unapologetic and said they had no record of ever having it. He said he'd continue to look and that he'd call later that day. By 5 pm we still hadn't heard anything and were becoming increasingly anxious as there was great sentimental value to this watch, we'd even managed to swap a few choice words with each other when I asked why on earth he didn't get a receipt (they refused to issue them unless they are sure they can do the work).

Having still not heard from them, my husband then called at 5 pm and was told they had found it.

In short, I wouldn't go anywhere near the place again and would recommend no-one else risks it. I've subsequently been told that the jewellers in Clapham Junction (opposite Waitrose, I've forgotten the name) is fantastic and very reasonably priced.

[juliantenniscoach]

wow I'm really surprised because I've only had good dealings with asquiths but there you go. I think there's a good point in long term businesses picking up on the demands and needs of the modern customer.

Good service from old timers - Tony's Cafe always good Palmer Clothing - again always very helpful Hennesey's - great again

Bad? To be honest I'm struggling though perhaps I don't expect that much! Capsticks used to indifferent a couple of years ago but new staff has changed that for the good.

A new venue where I've always received good service whether it be buying a coffee or doing a course is Recipiese on St. John's. Not the cheapest coffee I grant you but very, very good and my expectations are high for coffee

[bel35]

I have to agree with an earlier posting on the car garage near northcote library. A very pleasant man fitted a number plate to our car and wouldn't take any money for it.
I haven't used Asquith after a wonky job was made of an engraving.
And as I need new glasses, I'll give the opticians a whirl!

[fundraiser]

I tried to put my car into Hi-Q on Chatham Road and saw that it has gone into receivership. Anyone know anything about this? I agree with everyone who has posted that it was a fantastic local garage with great service.

I've always liked Asquith on the odd occasion I've been in there..