Extortion in watch repairs? - Democratic Underground

Catshrink

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Sat Oct-20-07 04:15 PM
Original message

Extortion in watch repairs?

I'm still steamed... I just went to the Fast Fix Jewelry Repair store in the mall to get a battery replaced in a Fossil watch. The guy told me the battery was $10 but they wouldn't put it in unless I purchased a $15 warranty. Twenty.five.fucking.dollars.for a watch battery?

I left. I looked them up and found that they are franchises. I think the guy was scamming me -- I've been there several times before and never had this even come up. Warranties are 90% profit for retailers anyway.

Dang. I still need the battery.

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Rabrrrrrr

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Sat Oct-20-07 04:25 PM
Response to Original message

1. That's too bad. I took a Fossil watch to a Fossil store to have the battery changed,

and they discovered that it had somehow had water come into it. Since it was supposed to be waterproof, they told me, they gave me a new one.

I was really happy! That first watch was almost three years old and showed signs of much abuse, but, since the waterproofing had apparently failed, they gave me a brand new one.

But, not every store is the same....

Requiring the buying of a warranty is a bizarre condition. Cold you just buy the battery and put it in yourself?

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Catshrink

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Sat Oct-20-07 04:28 PM
Response to Reply #1

2. Thanks for the idea..

I'll have to figure out where one is -- or go to a real jeweler. I think I'll write an email to Fast Fix's corporate HQ about it. This just can't be right.

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Crabby Appleton

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Sat Oct-20-07 04:47 PM
Response to Original message

3. you got ripped off - never heard of the buy a warranty scam

I've had a lot of watch batteries changed over the years.

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Catshrink

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Sat Oct-20-07 04:51 PM
Response to Reply #3

4. I didn't get ripped off because I refused to pay...

and so I didn't get the battery either. I can't believe what a jerk the guy was.

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lizziegrace

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Sat Oct-20-07 04:53 PM
Response to Original message

5. Watch batteries

Edited on Sat Oct-20-07 04:55 PM by lizziegrace

I worked in a jewelry store years ago when I was in college. We would change batteries even if the watch wasn't purchased from us. Getting the back off some watches was a nightmare. We were always warned about damaging a watch trying to get the back off because ultimately, the customer would hold us responsible for any damage.

Many places (Kohls, for one) will not change a battery if the watch was not purchased there and you have to provide a receipt.

My guess is that the "warranty" is the fund they use to replace watches damaged when changing batteries. Oh, and also it's another way to screw the customer...

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Catshrink

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Sat Oct-20-07 05:06 PM
Response to Reply #5

8. Thank you for your perspective on this

I hadn't thought about the damage angle. But, I've had batteries changed there before and they always do a good job. It's a way to screw the customer -- 90% profit.

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lizziegrace

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Sat Oct-20-07 05:09 PM
Response to Reply #8

10. No problem

I think they've discovered a racket and you were smart enough not to get sucked in.

I was working at the jewelry store when waterproof watches were just hitting the market. Sometimes getting the back off was easy. Putting it back was impossible and/or it was no longer waterproof.

I was lucky. None of the watches I worked on ended up being sent to the manufacturer for repair. Others I worked with weren't so lucky.

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TK421

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Sat Oct-20-07 04:59 PM
Response to Original message

6. That can't be legal...get the guys name before you contact corporate

What I would have done? Having worked in retail, I would have asked him what the store number is if he told me that ( writing it down on a notepad ) and said thank you!

Corporate would want to know the store number...and file it

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Catshrink

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Sat Oct-20-07 05:05 PM
Response to Reply #6

7. I can get the store number/location

but I didn't get the guy's name. It's extortion, plain and simple.

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CGowen

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Sat Oct-20-07 05:08 PM
Response to Original message

9. I got a solar watch with a rechargeable battery, I wonder how long it will last. n/t

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