I got my Czech crystals today! OK, so I have to say... if the Swarovski people aren't wetting themselves yet, they should be. Although the cutting isn't *quite* as fine or precise, (there is ever so slightly more room around the holes, and there are a few more rejects than I normally see in a Swarovski order (which I suspect is partly because of careful culling on Letrinka's part... thank you, Letrinka!) THESE ARE DAMN GOOD. They have the sparkle and the prettiness, at half the price. I realize that I am basically repeating what Kathy N-V said, but it bears repeating... Swarovski needs to watch their behind! These are nothing like the rather flat, dull Chinese crystals I ghave seen.
My thoughts on these: they don't come in as many colors as the S. does. I didn't order any ABs, so I can't address the quality there. I have spotted a few in my order that are included or pitted, and will need to be discarded. However, overall, not only am I sure that the unwary might be taken in if these were subsituted for Swarovskis, I am now *positive* that I have myself been taken in! My lesson learned: only order from known, reputable dealers in Austrian crystal.
In summary, I think I like 'em. I'm only using them to space my bead sets, though, so I may not be the pickiest customer in town! I have a LOT of Swarovskis left, so it may be a couple of weeks before I am using the Czech consistently, but I will make note in my listings whether I use Czech or Austrian crystals, just as an FYI, so that buyers know what they're getting and can re-label them accordingly if they use them in a finished piece.
Delivery from Czechbeads was, BTW, insanely fast.