H.S.Johnson Reviews 

72
•
TrustScore 3.5 out of 5

3.4

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent service from start to finish. There was an issue with the watch i purchased but this was purely a manufacturing fault, it was dealt with very quickly and professionally and they also offered... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic Service. Ordered a Squale strap on the monday and had the item in hand saturday morning (despite it coming from Switzerland) as H S Johnson are an authorised dealer. Email response, ordering... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Ordered a watch that said Royal Mail 24 Hrs delivery. I didn’t mind if it was a few days but then I got an email saying once we receive the watch we will provide a delivery date! When I challenged thi... See more

Company replied

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Most useless customer service I have ever seen Lost my packet somewhere in transit Not able to find it or contact with delivery partner refuse refund me or redeliver despite law Absolutely... See more

Company replied

Company details

  1. Shopping & Fashion

Information provided by various external sources

H.S.Johnson was established in 1946 after the end of the Second World War. Herbert Samuel Johnson was a watchmaker before the war and his skills were put to use repairing aircraft instruments as an RAF Sergeant in those bleak times of war. Whilst stationed at Fradley he met and married his sweetheart Violet, whose father was the Editor of the Lichfield Mercury, and after wartime had ended they decided to stay local and opened their business in Rugeley ( Pic 1 ) where it still resides today. In the early days when rationing was still in effect the shop consisted of trading from wartime utility tables, a far cry from todays shop. In 1951 Michael Samuel Johnson was born on the premises and would grow up to follow his father into the watchmaking trade. At 14 he started tinkering with clocks and at 16 was working in the shop full time with day releases to college to gain the relevant qualifications. By 21 he had passed his 3 year course at the School of Jewelry and Silversmiths in Birmingham, after which he worked full time in the shop as a watchmaker. Today he still runs the shop and carries out the repairs. He can be seen playing behind his dad's car in the picture from 1957 ( Pic 2 ). In fact the family has a rich history of watchmaking, Michael is 4th generation and his father 3rd. Before this Herbert's father also called Herbert was a watchmaker in London and Hove, he also taught watchmaking at a London University and during this time built 3 clocks, one of which we still have in the shop, these clocks are totally hand made, every part, truly amazing to see and hear. It doesn't stop there either, his father, James Johnson, was manager of Pickett's in Oxford Street in London and Michael's great great uncle was William Johnson who was responsible for the repair and maintenance of the clocks at Hampton Court Palace in Victorian Days. We sell quality brands that are all UK supplied items. We always put the customer first and we are proud of our service and reputation.


Contact info

3.4

Average

TrustScore 3.5 out of 5

72 reviews

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3.4

All reviews

(72)

7 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Perfect service!

Fantastic. Bought a great watch from H.S Johnson, which was priced considerably lower than any other online retailer, well below the RRP. Paid for it in the early afternoon and received it in the post the following morning. What more can you ask for?? Highly recommended.

June 2, 2020
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great Jewellers company, no problems only complete ease!

I started off with finding a watch I liked a little bit cheaper elsewhere. After speaking to Steve and customer services. They were able to honour the price guarantee within hours, the support was constantly there without a days delay! Package arrived next day before 10am without any extra payment at all.

H S Johnson from start to finish was simple and easy, it was a pleasure to buy from. I ensure I shall in future, thank you again for your services!

April 22, 2020
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Bad customer support & delayed delivery!

I ordered a smartwatch end of December 2019 with an expected arrival date 3rd of January in Germany. On the 6th it was still not delivered so I started to contact them. On the 9th I reinforced my concerns as the tracking link updated the parcel was shipped to Chicago. In their first two answers they were friendly but did not show any empathy and just said I have to expect a slight delay. Afterwards our communication went back and forth by the 15th of February but without any status update. As there was no sign of concerns and taking actions of investigation I started to contact the shipping company Royal Mail but without any luck. They just told me I have to wait until it will be officially counted as a lost item. On the 25th of February the item was shown as delivered however I haven’t received the delivery nor a drop off notification. so again, I had to check in to see what’s going on. And of course again no help on their side...apparently the delivery guy was putting a 550€ watch in front of my doors without any protection or notification. Luckily one of my neighbors took it in order to avoid anyone steal it.

This super dissatisfying experience was at least 50% caused by the courier Royal Mail I felt zero support from H. S. Johnson throughout the whole time. They did not show any form of good will or solutions.

Never ever again.

March 10, 2020
Unprompted review
H.S.Johnson logo

Reply from H.S.Johnson

Hi Michael

Sorry to hear you are not happy with our service, we did come back you after every message, apologised for the delay and kept you informed as to what was happening, the first delay was the courier mis routing to another country, the second was the item had been delivered but you where unaware your neighbour had taken it in.

Regards
H.S.Johnson

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great customer service

Great company! Ordered a watch for my boyfriends birthday and unfortunately the watch had a fault with it. Quick communication allowed the watch to quickly be replaced and despite the fault had an easy, unstressful experience. Great customer service.

January 17, 2020
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Very unprofessional

November 29, 2019
Unprompted review
H.S.Johnson logo

Reply from H.S.Johnson

Hi

Could you give us some more information to look into please as we have no record of any orders in that name ?

Regards

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Purchasing Experience was Very Good

It was a great experience to deal with this seller for my International purchase from Asia. I got a very quick response to my e-mails and my request was properly addressed. I bought a Certina Diver, for which the seller offers very competitive price and International Warranty with Authorized Dealer official stamp. The watch was dispatched in few hours after I've completed my purchase and sent via Royal Mail. It also arrived in only 6 days to Singapore, which is great considering it's only normal mail. I would also like to thank the seller for a smooth customs clearance thanks to him. However, I take one star since the watch arrived with some dust on the dial which is a manufacturer mistake but also clearly visible on a such black dial. I decided to use the International warranty, as cleaning dust on a dial is only a 10 min job, not worth making fuss about it. However, the service centre identified some issues with the crystal as well, so it took more than three weeks to replace the crystal and clean the dial. I got a bit upset as the best "honeymoon" period of buying a watch was a bit messed up, but finally in the end I got what I wanted.

November 28, 2019
Unprompted review
H.S.Johnson logo

Reply from H.S.Johnson

Hi

Really sorry to here this, we do check items before they leave but this was a small mark on the inner dial that was easily missed. You could have returned it to us for a refund or replacement but you took it straight to the service center in your country, i'm afraid we have no control over a brands service center speed anymore than you do, sorry.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Absolutely TERRIBLE customer service

Absolutely TERRIBLE customer service. We returned a watch (with all the packaging and accessories included) before the 30 day deadline, and they refused to give a refund. My wife wore the watch, and did not like it, so we returned it. Just unbelievable! I have never had such a bad experience with a retailer. They also delivered the message with a curt and rude e-mail from the owner. Have you ever heard of a retailer refusing to accept a return because you tried a device? Basically, if you buy ANYTHING from this retailer, do not expect to be able to return it. This watch was a birthday present for my wife, and they have ruined her birthday by forcing her to accept a watch she does not want.

UPDATE: Interestingly, they appear to have deleted their previous responses to my review, and they have also complained about my review to Trustpilot. Apparently, H.S. Johnson realized they their combative responses confirmed my review, and they are trying to censor me by complaining to Trustpilot. Do you really want to buy anything from such a retailer? It just blows my mind that in this day and age someone would treat a customer so badly. Below you can see my responses to their (now deleted) responses.

Response #1 - Sorry but the watch was returned within the 30 day policy and the watch did not look worn. As you can tell, H.S Johnson argue and fight with their customers (as evidenced by the response). Thank you for confirming my point that your customer service is terrible. I would highly advise anyone to STAY AWAY from this retailer.

Response #2 - this retailer is just unbelievable. My wife tried the watch and decided she did not like it. Apparently this vendor’s policy is to force its customers to use something they don’t want. Great approach. Your customer service is extraordinarily bad. Again arguing with customers. Rude and aggressive approach. It is all in the response below. This is not slander but a fact.

November 5, 2019
Unprompted review
H.S.Johnson logo

Reply from H.S.Johnson

The customer returned a watch outside the 30 day period but we would have still accepted it however his wife had worn the watch extensively, the strap was incredibly used so was therefore no longer able to be returned for a refund, this is pretty standard retail policy. Would you wear clothes for 30 days then expect to return for a full refund ?

As for the rude message we said "We have received your Garmin watch back today that you have stated is for a refund, however, the item is very clearly used and therefore a refund would not be available." if that is rude then we apologise.

Regards

Update to customers update 1
--------------------------------------
The watch strap is heavily worn, you have even admitted she has been wearing it on this very review, that is against ours and pretty much everyone else's returns policy, a policy clearly stated on our website.

We will, when left no choice, defend ourselves against inappropriate returns, incorrect reviews and slander, if that is classed as bad customer service again we apologise.

Regards

Update to customers update 2
--------------------------------------
The watch is incredibly worn, the strap is very very bad, shame i can't upload an image of it, and even the serial no label on the back of the watch is peeling away, this is a used worn item end of. We refund thousands of items per year as most people understand how a returns policy works, you can try but not use.

The customer is trying to use Trust Pilot to blackmail us into doing as he wishes, he is emailing us the following "All you do on Trust Pilot is keep digging yourself a bigger hole.  It just looks bad. Can we find a compromise and I will back off and remove all negative reviews?" If we look bad so be it, personally i don't think anyone with any form of intelligence would read this and think we are doing anything wrong except perhaps feeding his responses.

Regards

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Jeweller

Excellent service, fast delivery and great prices. I bought a Movado
watch which arrived really super fast and packed perfectly.
All in all excellent.

October 10, 2019
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great company. Faultless & extremely competitive on price. A+++

Watch purchased - Rotary Men's Cambridge Automatic Rose Gold Date Watch GS05252/01

I placed an order with this store after reading the google abc trip advisor reviews. They also had a user friendly which provided a lot of information and also stated that they had store in the UK which filled me with confidence.

The emails were prompt from placing my order and the item was delivered next day in a secure box, I also appreciated that the dispatcher had set the correct time & date.

The watch was in brand new condition along with the box packaging. The watch had original wrapping in place which was nice so I knew it wasn’t ex display. Also watch looked exactly like the website pictures.

Also the sale price is extremely competitive when compared to the high street stores.

It was by chance I found this watch website. I had initially ordered my watch off Ernest Jones which arrived in a damaged box with the watch looking like it was ex display.

Thank you for sending this watch and living up to my expectations. I will keep this shop in mind in the near future.

This was a 30th present from my family, hope it stands the test of time.

If I would have one recommendation - I would suggest you advertise your business more in a national paper when you have sales on as you are edging the high street shops out on price and service.

** I cannot comment on after sales care as my review is based on the purchase and service offered.

All the best

Rahat

March 22, 2019
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic service.

Fantastic service. The watch arrived within 24 hours of ordering. It came well packaged, and at an excellent price.
I would definitely recommend and use again.

December 29, 2018
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

VERY BAD EXPERIENCE WITH MR MASON

REPLY TO THE COMMENT:

Dear Readers - firstly pls check item online and a price:
Mens Maurice Lacroix Aikon Chronograph Watch AI1018-SS001-430-1

Guess what Mr Mason? I found a service who is asking to provide a wrist size before purchase! pls check for reference instead of arguing with clients like you do!!!
francisandgaye.co.uk

you can see that instead of apologise the Owner Mr Mason is still tying his best of arguing with the client - amazing service! Please check negative reviews - he is doing the same with all unhappy clients. Does it make sense to you about personality? I explain my point clearly- there was 3 issues with the expensive item.Please note still no advise on ombudsmen number or authorities to take it further. Please note he was not brave enough to hang up on my British husband, he/his stuff hang up on foreign person ~(me!) PLEASE CHECK GOOGLE REVEW AND PICTURE OF THE COLOUR OF THE STRAP! THIS WILL TELL YOU ALL ABOUT Mr Mason!!! I feel ashamed the foreign person like me is trying to educate the wise British business man to use the manners - you need to appreciate every single customer for the support they are giving to your business instead of abuse, anger and negativity which will return to you as a KARMA.
He wants to take a legal action instead of apology-this should ring a bell for any client he has.. in this situation the only one person who should take an action is me. However Mr Mason I am a very kind person and I am wishing you a merry Christmas ! All the best for your business and future. You will get what you deserve soon

Dear Mr Mason

You are not providing full picture.
The item arrived as not described! I provided you pictures over email and I am 100% right on it - thats why you did not like it.
1) Item was set up and working! The watch must have a stop crown - this was missing!
2) The colour was wrong as was mentioned on your website
3) The sizes of the strap was too small and did not fit my husbands wrist! you must mention on the description that it fits medium size wrist.

SECONDLY:
The member of your staff is a young shy guy who would be at no chance afford to speak this way over the phone with the client. Whoever it was its not acceptable at all - the manner you handle the conversation is out of the order. I feel that the reason of the hanging up was that someone on the other end (you or your staff)
did not understand my English (its not my first language) - I am foreign.
The reason why I mentioned the price of the watch is people need to understand whom they are dealing with - its expensive famous brand! I reported to the brand `Head office as well on this case! Its a shame that such company has a right to sell this amazing brand!
There is no complaint form or support on the complaint was provided - when I mentioned ombudsman I was told to stop the thread (really?!) otherwise Mr Mason will take legal action against me..!!! I really can't wait Mr Mason!

So my dear readers - do you understand the matter?
And all I wanted is the nice present for my husband!
Well, Mr Mason with such attitude your business will have a poor reputation soon.
I request once again to send me complaint form or provide ombudsman details to resolve it.

Original review:
Be aware -very rude owner Steve Mason. He doesn't want to deal with a problem, he was rude over the phone and hang up during conversation, the item I purchased £995 watch was not as described- now taking this case to ombudsman. DO NOT DEAL WITH THIS SUPPLIER AT ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

December 15, 2018
H.S.Johnson logo

Reply from H.S.Johnson

First there is no problem with the item at all, nothing. You wanted to return it due to the strap not fitting your husband which we agreed to no problem but we where not willing to pay your return shipping costs as there was no issue with your order, you would not accept this and after a very long conversation going nowhere and rude behavior we had no choice but to end the call and deal with the issue by email. For information the watch was not £995 and was discounted heavily.

You decided to bring the item back for a refund which was done there and then.

Bizarrely you then wanted to start looking at other items for purchase even thou we are such a bad supplier, we refused your custom due to you previous behavior, neither myself or my staff are here to be treated that way.

We had to then ask you to leave the premises because of your behavior in store and then threaten to call the police to make you do so.

For the record i didn't speak to you on the phone it was a member of my staff, however i was listening to the call and know 100% what was said and the manner it which it was done, we do not tolerate such abuse.

Steve Mason
Owner


The lady has not edited her review so i now have to reply further, very similar behavior to the aforementioned phone call, emails and visit.

The item crown was removed at dispatch to make sure the item works before dispatch, experience has shown our customers prefer to receive working watches rather than a piece of plastic masking a broken watch, the item worked 100% and was 100% brand new, in fact it was still shrink wrapped at time of dispatch, for reference not all manufactures even use crown stoppers. You have been told this at least half a dozen times. NO ISSUE.

The colour is correct, it was the item that was ordered, correct colour and correct model no. NO ISSUE.

The watch fits me and i am 23 stone. NO ISSUE other than it didn't fit your husband.

I categorically reiterate you spoke with my member of staff, presumably i am now a liar too ?

Your husband is English and we spoke to him on the phone and in the shop too, there was no miscommunication taking place, please do not try and say there was.

I look forward to discussing the situation with Maurice Lacroix, thanks for bringing it to there attention, it will be nice for them to hear about situations retailers face.

Not sure what stopped the thread is referring to, i simply stopped answering your emails as the item has been refunded in full and the matter is over, the constant back and forth is/was accomplishing nothing.

As i am the owner of the business you have already made your complaint and it has been rejected 100% on the grounds you have zero to complain about as no error occurred, any "rude" behavior you experienced is a result of your own behavior, if asking you to leave repeatedly and then threatening to call the police to get you to do so is classed as rude ? if you wish to contact an ombudsman that is your right although i fail to see for what, but this is up to you to facilitate and nothing to do with us.

To clarify i said "If you continue with the slanderous inaccurate comments and threats of blackmail we will have to take legal action i'm afraid" which is still the case.

"Service" is not about taking the blame it is about resolving issues that may occur, to reiterate yet again you had no issues with your order. We have done nothing to apologize for as there was no issue with your order and we refunded you in full when you returned it. I think your responses are proving the situation we have experienced today.

I'm afraid we are going to have to "hang up" again which will be "rude" but this is pointless.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

So happy!!!!

Fast delivery!! Ordered last night arrived first thing! Amazing price! Very impressed! Watch looks amazing! Will definitely use again.
Thankyou so much!

December 14, 2018
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Watch with low battery

I just bought a timex iq+ that arrived with low battery.

Delivery service was good.

December 6, 2018
Unprompted review
H.S.Johnson logo

Reply from H.S.Johnson

Hi, you should have got in touch and we would have resolved it for you, trouble with this kind of watch is the battery can't be stopped whilst in stock.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Called in on Saturday to buy another…

Called in on Saturday to buy another watch to be used as a nice daily beater. I had seen what I thought was suitable on H S Johnson’s web site but was a little uncertain about the watch. The sales assistant asked me about what I was looking for from my watch and showed me a couple of newer brands.
I settled on a UK brand and must say I am delighted with my purchase and equally impressed with the help and knowledge of the sales staff.

August 27, 2018
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Reliable company

Ordered from them several times before and so far i never had bad experience. I'm watch collector so from time i buy watches. Good prices and excellent customer service every time a on the top of that im placing orders from abroad. Well done people.

July 27, 2018
Unprompted review

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