Spritz Jewelry Co — Local services in Champaign

Reposting a review.

I previously posted a review about getting terrible service from Spritz's. I took several watches in, mainly to resize bracelets by removing links that were stubborn. They were rude, didn't listen to the actual asks I had, and tried to charge me for not doing anything on some pieces. I left a watch with them that had a broken spring bar pin in the lug that needed to be drilled out. They used too big of a bit and over-drilled the lug hole, damaging the lug. I also left a watch with significant sentimental value to be cleaned. After cleaning (bath cleaning on the case and bracelet, not full disassembly) it showed a ton of scratches and the crown didn't sit properly in the movement, causing wear in the movement when I would turn it. I didn't wear it as much for fear of damaging it. I finally had the chance to properly disassemble the watch and check why the crown wasn't set properly. During the cleaning when they reassembled the watch they broke the movement holder ring by overtightening the caseback and didn't have the patience to reengage the crown properly/fully with testing. Real arrogance from the watch repair team that they know what they're doing, but they clearly don't take enough care.

When I posted the initial negative review, Jim had the gall to call me and complain about it because he 'offered a good price' and didn't understand why I would immediately go to a negative review instead of working with him. I caved and took it down and said I'd give him another chance. Here I am 6-9 months later facing hundreds of dollars to chase down replacement parts (movement holder on a watch that's out of manufacture) on a watch they broke and I'm not inclined to given them another chance to mess up after over drilling a lug, breaking a movement holder, resetting a crown poorly, and having bad customer...

Staff is rude. I took two watches in for repair after I spoke to a rep on the phone, a Citizen for a broken internal piece and a Tissot for a battery. I was trying to explain what another watchsmith said would need to be done to the Citizen and I was interrupted several times and was told the other watchsmith did not know what he was talking about. Spritz did not even want to hear what the issue was nor would they let me show them the broken piece.The watch actually has a broken piece on the inside that needs to be repaired. The watchsmith who showed me the issue could not repair it as his shop was closing due to personal health issues and he was not taking any new repairs. The second watch needed a battery. They did not put the watch back together correctly the first time and I now fear that the gasket is torn. So the 10 dollar battery is now costing me a trip to Windsor jewelry in Indy to see if the Tissot is damaged from the mishandling. As a paying customer I have never been treated so poorly before. They treated me as if I wanted a hand out. I will never go back. At least I was able to see what kind of store it really is before I purchase my next watch. I may have made the mistake of buying it from them.

I regret...

I have done business with Jim and his former partner Ron for decades and had great service- repair and battery replacement in my watches, jewelry for gifts and myself, and beautiful items for the house. But my last service with this is my last time I will do business with them. I came in with a watch that needed cleaning and a battery and my wife came in with gold to sell and Jim said that the value was $185. The watch was going to take time and we would settle up the difference after the watch was repaired and cleaned. When we returned a week later, he wanted a "ticket" for the gold and said that was their procedure and we should have gotten one from him. But he had not given us a ticket and would not pay for the gold my wife left with him. Jim indicated that it was our fault for not following their procedure and getting a ticket. I think he is losing it and I will not trust him with my valuables anymore. Before this event, Spritz deserved a 5-star rating,...