Reply With QuoteThat's some advanced own-foot shooting from Cousins - do they think it's still 1959?
I ordered some stuff last week and it didn't arrive.
I managed to get the problem reported and the response was:
I tried to press the point but was not successful.Thank you for contacting our management team.
Cousins is a business-to-business (not consumer) trade wholesale supplier.
Your order was cancelled and refunded.
Please see your local trade professional for further assistance.
That's a total pain.
That's some advanced own-foot shooting from Cousins - do they think it's still 1959?
A foolish move.Were they pressured by the watchmakers & shops selling watch products perhaps.Originally Posted by earlofsodbury
Amazon/ebay & now Temu have all the straps id ever need so "I" will cancel Cousins.
Your business was deleted from my memory.
What a cleaver way to loose business.
Don't understand this, if you're registered with them there shouldn't be a problem. Have you purchased stuff before from Cousins?
Edit: Go into your account details on the website and ensure you're registered as a repairer, I`m not aware that anything's changed.
Last edited by walkerwek1958; 21st August 2023 at 11:52.
My registration says "Private Watch Repairer" and has always said that since I first registered years ago.
David
Very strange I ordered last week with no issues myself.
I also ordered some stuff last week. No problem.
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They've always had this rule
Yep, I am lucky that I am self employed anyway.
My business name is registered to make the purchases.
I use timers and watches for work purposes - everyone does.
On a similar thought I understand Arnold Clark will not now deliver parts to independent workshops, other big dealers seem to be making life difficult for indies too, they want all the business from the motorist, supply and fitment, at premium rates.
I emailed Anthony Cousins about this and his response was:
I provided the requested information but given the order that was cancelled was only my 2nd this year, I'm not optimistic :(Please advise your account number, your annual spend and how many orders you have placed this last year and I will forward this to my management team for review.
David
"You don't spend enough money with us so off you f**k."
A very strange way to do business. It's like they haven't heard of any of the various Chinese marketplaces online; do they think they're the only ones with the inside scoop on buying from China?
Cousins attitude towards customers is appalling, I deal with them because the options are limited, ordering via the website is also v. convenient, but I would never buy anything that could result in a warranty claim.
I bought a workbench light earlier in the year for around £70, initially I was v. pleased because the light intensity was adjustable. After 3-4 weeks the switch went faulty and the light us now stuck on full power. When I contacted Cousins, explaining exactly what had happened, I got absolutely nowhere and in the end I gave up. Lesson learned, I’ll continue to buy watch parts but never anything electrical, as my experience showed there is absolutely no come-back if the item goes faulty. I accept they operate on a business to business basis but they ought to take some responsibility for what they sell, in my case the item developed a fault v. soon after purchase but they didn’t want to know, all I got was a standard response.
I’ve been a fan of Cousins watch straps over the years but quality is now very mixed, they’ve obviously changed suppliers for some straps and the quality has fallen.
Gleaves are far better to deal with!
I've always avoided them for the simple reason they don't offer returns for any reason, using some trade law instead of consumer law as an excuse.
Thank you for the pointer. B2B doesn't exonerate you from replacing faulty goods. Cousins now refuse to communicate with me further. So **** them.
PS Gleaves only have two watch straps on offer - where to go for a decent selection of reasonably priced straps that isn't CousinsUK?
David
Last edited by perdrix; 22nd August 2023 at 13:56.
https://www.ukwatchstrap.co.uk/
Ha, I was just going to recommend them.
Excellent price's and a very wide selection of leather straps.
Sent from a technical device.
My take is that they are in a fairly unique position as suppliers in terms of breadth and depth stock, and absolutely take full advantage of that position. Shame there are no obvious competitors, I'm pretty sure Cousins would have to change tack and fast if there were. It doesn't seem like building customer loyalty is something they are interested in as a business.
I've bought from them before, but only as a real last resort, and I've had runs-ins with them as well. If an item is available elsewhere I will happily pay more if necessary not to have to use Cousins :(
Mind you I am a small-time purchaser so they probably couldn't give a toss!
Last edited by Neil.Ldn; 22nd August 2023 at 15:10.
Thank you, David
Another satisfied customer of these guys!
Fourth-ed! I've ordered stuff late in the day and had it on my doorstep the next day. They have accounts with most of the really decent strap-makers, and their prices are always very competitive.
An absolutely horrible website, but I have bought loads from there, love their stuff.
Another thumbs up from here. Always quick service, a decent selection of straps, and good prices.
This is a shame, I have often used them in the past over the years.
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This thread reminded me that I hadn’t showed Cousins any love for a few years, since 2011 in fact!
I placed an order yesterday for a few batteries and some other bits and pieces, and it was dispatched today.
No consistency it seems!
What is Anthony’s email address?
I’m sure we can cause him a whole world of fun.
Anthony@cousinsuk.com
Why would you do that? S**t like that reflects really badly on the forum.
I’ve had a trade account with them for years. My total spend is probably less than £100 including postal costs.
I ordered some screws about a month ago; no problems at all. Arrived quickly enough.
Having said that the account is to my Wife’s business name.
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This will achieve nothing.
Loads of people order without an issue (myself included).
Stop whinging.
When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........
Have you tried to re-register as a sole trader business working from your home address.
e.g. a new start-up.
To place an order with any supplier, we need to comply with the terms and conditions. I seem to remember that the Ts & Cs were pretty clear.
Can’t understand the criticism of the website, in my opinion that’s one of their better aspects. Lots of technical service data available, a valuable source of info for repairers.
What I’ll never understand is their arrogant attitude towards their customers, no excuses for it. Anthony Cousins must be a strange character.
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