A PORT man has slammed a high street jeweller who he claims left him feeling ‘robbed’ of his Christmas present.

Mark Hammersley, 28, was delighted to receive a £375 9ct gold bracelet from his girlfriend from H Samuel in Greenock.

But he says he discovered it was gold-plated when he showed it to another jeweller.

Mark, of Rannoch Gardens, said: “We were not told by H Samuel when we bought it that it was only gold plated.

“I only wear gold jewellery and this is not what we wanted.” The item is understood to be from the store’s ‘Together Bonded’ range.

When Mark took it back to the Oak Mall shop he claims he was told they could offer an exchange or replace the bracelet for him at cost and that it would have been stated at time of purchase that it was gold-plated.

Mark, who could not see anything similar in the store for the same price, said: “I’ve not even had it six months and it’s all scratched.

“They have just completely fobbed us off.

“I feel robbed.” The item was bought so that Mark and his two-year-old son could have matching bracelets.

As it was slightly too big he initially returned to the store to have two links removed.

But when he was quoted a price of £40 he went to another jeweller.

It was there that he was told the jewellery was gold-plated.

Mark said: “My girlfriend just wanted to buy me something nice and this is not what she had wanted to happen at all.

“The man told us it was definitely hallmarked. I wanted a real gold bracelet.” A spokesperson for H Samuel said: “For privacy reasons, it is our policy not to disclose information about our customers, including the resolution of customer service issues through third-parties.

“Together Bonded jewellery is extensively advertised in our H Samuel stores.

“Together Jewellery is crafted from silver and 9ct yellow gold and bonded together in harmony.

“We intend to resolve all customer service issues to the satisfaction of the customer.”