WatchGecko

[BostonCharlie]

I ordered a strap on (for them) Saturday, 2/2. Shippined 2/4. Arrived safely in Texas 2/13. Good communication: I received three emails total, although there's no package tracking. Strap was nicely packaged and included three spring bars and a branded cleaning cloth.

The strap looks as good as I expected from their photos. The brushed surface of the stainless "Zuludiver" buckle has some irregularities I can see as the light plays on it -- too bad. The strap keeper has a small blemish in the leather. I'll drop a line to their CS to see what they can do for me. With discount and shipping it was a relatively modest $21, but for me that was a real upgrade from $8 "Fossil" class so I do expect more.

Update: The passage for the spring bar is too small for their own spring bar on one of the strap pieces. I'm not sure I could even force it considering how the bar is tight fitting in the other piece even though its passage is visibly larger.

Update 2: Here are some photos. Sorry about the low light -- I'm getting better, really. If I'm being too picky let me know. I sent an email to their support address two days ago on 2/13 but haven't heard back yet :-/

keeper_blemish.jpg (12.33 KiB) Viewed 151 times

uneven_buckle_finishing.jpg (16.86 KiB) Viewed 151 times

small_spring_bar_hole.jpg (15.11 KiB) Viewed 151 times

[BostonCharlie]

Received a reply from WatchGecko today:

Thank you for contacting us, apologies for the delayed response.
If you'd like to return the strap to us at the below address along with your name and order number we can arrange to send you out a replacement.

...

Items must be returned in original condition and there are no refunds for items that have been used.
Should you require any additional assistance please let me know and thank you for taking the time to write to us, have a great day.

Maybe I'm spoiled, but I'm not impressed. I have little confidence I'll receive anything better -- they showed no surprise at my complaints (I sent them the photos above).

Separately, my son pointed out to me that the holes along the canvas aren't reinforced. Looks like it wouldn't age well -- hadn't thought of that before.

So, back it goes on my dime. They can keep it.

[flypanam]

That's a shame. I'm a pretty big fan of Watch Gecko and I've never received anything like that from them. I had several leather straps which are of quite good quality, though their line ranges from true budget to near-luxury, so results will definitely vary. The $40 horween straps are definitely on a different level than the $10 cheapo leather straps. The metal bracelets I've bought from them have all been of great quality. Never had issues with the finishing of the metal parts / clasps. That's just bizarre.

I'm sorry you had such a negative experience!

[mplsabdullah]

I received a couple mesh bracelets from them not too long ago. The end links where WAY too thick to fit on any watch I have. Sent them pics and they told me to return to an address in the U.S. which way way more convenient and less expensive then sending to them directly. I had to pay return shipping though.

They where good quality otherwise. Another mesh bracelet I ordered years ago from them had more normally thick endlinks.

In this pic you can see it hitting the case and the spring bars are not in on both sides.



Years ago I ordered a leather strap from them that was great. I ordered 2 more of the exact same style but different colors and they are a bit thicker and not as comfortable as the first.

I've also owned their first pilot style watch. I thought it was decent for the money charged.

Overall I think they are a good company with some good products at reasonable prices.

[BostonCharlie]

Thinking about it I realized the email I received (on a Sunday no less) was probably a hasty formula response by somebody just trying to clear their inbox.

I'll press them a little more -- why would they want a defective product back? At the very least I can hopefully get a US return address -- thanks for that information. Also glad to hear that my experience is the exception. Good tip about the price points.

[BostonCharlie]

I promptly received a new email that basically reiterated their first reply, but this one included a US return address. Thank you for this tip, mplsabdullah!

I would post the address here but it's probably just a forwarding service and the address could change.

Knowing I can return items to a US address makes me feel better about buying from them in the future.