AHHH - AD ruined a link!

[Numismatist]

Well, it had to happen. Watch barely a month old...

Took it to an AD (I asked specifically if a watchmaker was in, they said no but the salespeople are trained to adjust bracelets) so against my better jugdement, I took it in to have a link removed.

I had my doubts, so I inspected the watch before and after to make sure there were no 'additional features' to the watch after adjustment. It was perfect as before, so I left happy.

That was 2 weeks ago...

Today, I went into the green Rolex box to look at the 'stuff' that comes with a Rolex, and looked at the little bag with the extra links in it...

WOW The screw was damaged and the area of the link around the screw hole was gouged. Clearly the AD salesperson cum bracelet adjuster twisted the screwdriver and gouged the link. I didn't bother checking the links in the bag when I left the AD that day. Now I have a damaged link and am left trying to convince the AD that they did it two weeks ago.

Should I leave it alone? I don't really need the link anyway - except at a future resale. Not that I should have to, but how could I prove I didn't do it over the last two weeks?

Ick.

[godowning]

I would absolutely take it back to the AD to get a replacement. I would try and talk with the same salesperson who did the "work". They should have told you that something happened while removing the link. Talk to the manager as well.

If it happened to me, I would have been ok if they informed me at the time and ordered a new link and screw. But trying to hide it is totally unacceptable.

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by godowning

i would absolutely take it back to the ad to get a replacement. I would try and talk with the same salesperson who did the "work". They should have told you that something happened while removing the link. Talk to the manager as well.

If it happened to me, i would have been ok if they informed me at the time and ordered a new link and screw. But trying to hide it is totally unacceptable.

x2

[MortgageGuy]

I would not worry about it but that is just me... If you decide to sell the watch and the extra link is that big of a deal you can always get one then. Enjoy your watch and forget it!

[azone5]

They need to make this right. It happened on their wqtch! (I mean your watch.)

[mb hawaii]

Hell no, I would definately bring it up to their attention. Not only for your benefit, but for all future customers too. They need to better train the SA's or have a policy forbidding any non-qualified rep from working on watches.

[DRAWTOOL]

Yeah, I'd take'er back, Rolex don't give that stuff away you know.

[Nicko]

Take it back and demand the truth, if not for you for the next poor bastard that goes in there. The fact that you don't need the extra link is irrelevant. The AD needs to make this right.

[sexner]

Originally Posted by DRAWTOOL

Yeah, I'd take'er back, Rolex don't give that stuff away you know.

Ed Zachary

[Gerardus]

I had the same 3 years ago, they refused to replace it. I was realy angry at that moment.

[Skullring]

I would take it back and expect them to make things right.

[Chozn1]

It's not a big deal, which is why they shouldn't hesitate to fix their mistake. Like you say, if you resale the watch later, someone might want that link.

[Mr Sandman]

Take it back to get it sorted.Then buy a set of quality drivers and do it yourself next time.

[2th Dr]

Originally Posted by godowning

I would absolutely take it back to the AD to get a replacement. I would try and talk with the same salesperson who did the "work". They should have told you that something happened while removing the link. Talk to the manager as well.

If it happened to me, I would have been ok if they informed me at the time and ordered a new link and screw. But trying to hide it is totally unacceptable.

x3!

[DaveInLA]

I'm not sure how I feel about this. I tried adjusting my own bracelet a while ago, scratched up a link and gouged the screw. Not a big deal at all to me. But if someone else did it, I might feel differently.

[sini1717]

I'm not sure, about this one.
I take it you never bought the watch from them.
Did they charge you for the job.
They will have a problem, unfortunately you checked the watch, before you left the shop, and were happy..
Now if you bought the watch there, i would expect them to sort it out, as you are a customer with some credibility.
If you didn't buy the watch from them.
I think you are going to have a hard time, convincing them your genuine, after 2 weeks,
and leaving there happy.

Good luck, with it my friend, i hope you get a satisfactory outcome...

[nektar]

i do not believe that they will have any problem.. why not to believe you?

[Saxon007]

Take it back. Tell them to replace the link. Tell them you are in a hurry because Chuck Norris is waiting for you in your car. And Chuck doesn't like to wait.

[R1@160@alltimes]

If the AD salesrep as a courtesy made the adjustment and happened to damage the bracelet, then I wouldn't worry too much about it.

However, if AD charged me X amount of $ for the adjustment, then hell yeah they would need to cough up Rolex replacement parts.

[Jason71]

I don't trust anyone to remove my links. A set of micro-screwdrivers, and a little patience and you will be golden next time. I hope you can get this resolved.

[cody p]

it's hard to find good help:(

[watchmaker]

I believe it was certainly wrong of them to hide this damage from you, it may be difficult after two weeks to prove it was them. In all honesty these things should be checked in store at the time. After 24 hours questions would be asked about the legitimacy of the claim. Two weeks, and I think the shop may completely wash their hands of it. Unless of course they remember it, and own up.

Also, sales staff in general, at least in my store are more than capable of adjusting bracelets. This isn't a watchmakers job. You might find a shop that will do it for free will charge you if you insist the watchmaker does it. With the number of watches sold and adjusted per day I couldn't do my work if I had to tend to each and every bracelet alteration

[GMTJOHNNY]

Contact your local RSC and report the guy.

[YuppieKid]

It's worth a try anyway.

[Submarino]

Get the link replaced and have them pay!!!

[Numismatist]

Here it is...

[Sweramic]

This is almost EXACTLY what happened to me. I wanted to remove a link, but the screw wouldn't come out, so he used a screwdriver, which totally destroyed the screw. I didn't notice the screw was gone until after a few days and got back there together with my dad and asked for it. He said he would check, but wasn't sure where he had put it. Gooosh, what's the point of having a link if the screw is gone anyways? They did not replace it..

[DadsWatch72]

I would definately take it back. Ask for the watchmaker to look at it first. Ask to speak with the manager. It doesn't matter if they charged you or not. Why would that matter? Its still damage to your watch. They are responsible for the entire watch the minute they agree to service you and take possession of your property. As others pointed out, this might happen to someone else if you don't address the situation.

[malolo]

It is not convincing that a customer who don't know how / don't have to do anything about the extra links to take the links out and damage it on purpose, and further go back to the ad to file a complaint.

So, go back to the ad and talk to the manager.

[DadsWatch72]

Originally Posted by malolo

It is not convincing that a customer who don't know how / don't have to do anything about the extra links to take the links out and damage it on purpose, and further go back to the ad to file a complaint.

So, go back to the ad and talk to the manager.

Exactly. If they give you any trouble, tell them "I coulda done that" and "thats why I brought the bracelet to you in the first place, so I wouldn't damage the link trying to do the adjustment myself."