Grays Antique Market — Local services in London

Highly recommended but for one dishonest dealer, without whom I would have given this treasure trove of an antiques market a 5 star rating. Very close to Selfridges, Grays Antiques Market is to be found down a side mews off Davies Street, and inside the building are lots of small independent shop units. Put aside a good hour or two to fully explore as there's loads to look at and bargains to be had: from classic antiques, rare coins, silverware, jewellery, clocks and watches, and more, to the modern antiques of today including trendy vintage clothes, jewellery, furniture. Unfortunately, I had a very bad first impression with the first unit I went to, Pieces of Time, an antique and modern watch and clock shop on the ground floor at the front of the building on the far right hand side. I had already spoken to them after seeing their advert online and, after explaining I had three gold antique pocket watches I wanted valued as I was considering selling them, co-owner and "antique pocket watch specialist"Johnny Wachsmann encouraged me to go down to Pieces of Time with my watches. These antique gold watches had been given to me by my ex, who worked in Hatton Garden his entire adult life, so I had some idea of their worth but I wanted a current valuation if I were to sell them. Thank goodness I went there with a friend, who watched Mr Wachsmann appraising my watches, and he whispered in my ear that "call me Johnny" was a horrible man who was obviously lying and we should leave immediately. It was good to have confirmation of what I could see for myself: Johnny couldn't hide what he thought of me as it was written all over his face - imagine a fox licking its chops at the sight of a rabbit caught in a trap. Clearly he thought I was a clueless nitwit of a woman whom he could easily hoodwink. He told me that, in his "expert opinion", two of the antique pocket watches, one a 9 carat gold full-hunter, the other a 14carat gold double-hunter, were "worthless", but he would "take them off my hands" if I sold him the third pocket watch, an 18carat half-hunter, for which he offered £250, stating it was "the only one of any value" and that his was a "generous offer". Luckily, his transparent greed was also written all over his face so I made my excuses and we left. In the end, I sold them to the next antique jeweller I took them to, a shop in Farringdon, for £1450 (£650 for the two "worthless" watches and £850 for the other one that Wachsmann had "generously" offered £250 for). Incensed by this man's dishonesty and blatant attempt to rip me off along with concern for those who might not know the value of their items, I felt duty-bound to complain to Grays Antiques, which I did via their website. They replied promptly with full apologies, although they said that they had spoken to Mr Wachsmann who (of course) failed to take responsibility for his behaviour and Grays claimed not to have heard any complaints about Pieces of Time before. This I find hard to believe although, unless you are on the website, you wouldn't know where or who to complain to in the market itself. Also, you need the time and inclination to make a complaint. I made the effort because I felt this was particularly egregious and, as my friend had witnessed the entire conversation, he could confirm what was said. To be fair to Grays Antiques, I decided to give them another chance, and I'm glad that I did. Obviously, I gave Johnny Wachsmann and Pieces of Time a wide berth, but I did spend a wonderful afternoon exploring the many units on two floors crammed with gorgeous artefacts and (thankfully) run by friendly owners who were happy to chat knowledgeably about their stock, and open to 'discussing' prices too, as are most kosher dealers. Sorry this is such a long review but I felt I needed to explain the reason for giving Grays Antiques a lower score than I would have liked to and the reason for it. Don't let one bad apple spoil a great antiques and quality bric-a-brac browsing experience in the heart of...

Offensive & unnecessarily spiteful behaviour from Michele Rowan at Greys Antiques.

I so enjoy the rare opportunities I get to walk around Greys Antiques, talk to the traders, admire beautiful things, and on occasion, buy unique pieces of jewellery that I can wear daily.

Sadly today was not one of those occasions. I stopped by Michele Rowan, to the right of the front door, and made some inquiries as to a few items. When asking about her stock of plain linked chains, Michele was fairly imperious about being a 'purist', in response to my talking about adapting them to modernise - being a buyer in my 30s who knows their own taste - and seeing nothing too sacrilegious in making something wearable. Not helped by the face mask, things became harder going when I wasn't clear in asking a question, to which Michele was irritable and patronising in reply. Despite finding Michele pretty antagonising, I thanked her for showing me the chains, and explained they weren't what I was looking for.

Being the year that this has been, with rolling lockdowns, and working long hours at home, I have found & bought a few things at online auctions this year, admittedly to varying degrees of success. On my way to Greys I had picked up a chain from the post office I had just bought via The Saleroom, and asked Michele a couple of questions about it as I had it on me. Perhaps this wasn't the right thing to do, I don't know, but I asked if I could ask, and thanked her for her time & advice regardless, and put it back in my bag.

I walked away and around the corner, and within a few seconds I could hear Michele ridiculing me to a neighbouring trader about our miscommunication earlier. Michele then said it was likely I was trying to sell her my jewellery. Although I wasn't, and didn't, as I hadn't even tried it on at that point. While I stood a couple of meters away, out of her eye-line, Michele said 'it served [me] right for buying online', and could 'stick it up [my] whotsit'.

I have never been so offended by someone who I had only met a few moments before. It was meant to be an enjoyable pre-Christmas outing, a rare day-off in an otherwise relentless year, but I had to walk out I was so upset by Michele's ridicule & vulgar spitefulness.

Are traders not wanting to educate & encourage younger buyers? Or sell even? Is it such a crime to buy online when most traders sell online? Since when it is acceptable to speak of a customer in this way?

I so much prefer to buy in person, but I don't think I will be going to Greys...

Thanks for scaring away your customers! A woman sat outside one of the stalls told me off by rolling her eyes when I was on the phone (I was discussing a case) that she was trying to ‘do business’. If she was doing business she could have chosen to do it in private and not in the middle of the market. When I told her this was rude she had the audacity to tell me I was showing my age. If she wants to get personal she can look at her decaying self in the mirror. The unhelpful sales assistant called the security guard who told me people had to shop in quiet and should not talk on their phones. I asked him if this was a museum shop and he said yes. I told him I wanted to complain and asked to speak to the manager. He alleged he was the ‘manager’ and when I asked for his name he refused. Yes some manager! at least don’t lie if you are working there. No ID, nothing. So not only they give preferential treatment in that stall to certain people, they also think they can frighten people off with alleged managers with no ID. Save your money and go elsewhere where you will get treated with respect before you part your with your money.

Edit: Thanks for taking 4 months to get back to me with a...