A.d. Nightmare!

[conrail]

Originally Posted by roley798

@ bayerische, unfortunately I paid cash. He said he would return the watch, only if I signed his contract which stated it would void my warranty, and " certify that there are absolutely no defects with the watch", Which I did not do. So he currently has the full amount I paid and the watch.

Wow - you def do not have to sign anything to get your watch back - unacceptable, borderline larceny. No, not even borderline, that is larceny. The refunds really are up to him, but at this point if he were smart he would just refund all your money, maybe something extra for the trouble.

Further, the warranty is between the watch and Rolex, not this POS dealer, so anything you sign with him is meaningless I'd think. He doesn't have the right, nor does his dealership, to contract away your Rolex warranty. But signing that there are no defects might not help your potential court case.

Rolex and BBB complaints are in order, and maybe a civil suit if he refuses to return anything?

[conrail]

Originally Posted by roley798

Contacting sdpd will be my last resort. My only concern with contacting them is that they may not understand that his new contract voids my warranty, and the officer could possibly claim that he is offering me the watch, and buy his b.s. I should have a definite answer and will post the outcome later today. Are there any other authorized dealers that you would recommend? What would be available used in the 6k range here?

I don't think "his" contract can void a Rolex warranty - only Rolex has that authority, I'm pretty sure they don't give their ADs the power to contract with customers to void their warranties.

[jdc]

Very confused, did you not get a receipt for the purchase of the Rolex? If so that proves you bought the watch - sounds like a police matter and as Tempoking said talk to HQ

[Newportkrieger]

This "amazing" story is your "first " posting to this forum????

[m5blitzer]

Completely unacceptable!

[Johny]

Originally Posted by roley798

@ bayerische, unfortunately I paid cash. He said he would return the watch, only if I signed his contract which stated it would void my warranty, and " certify that there are absolutely no defects with the watch", Which I did not do. So he currently has the full amount I paid and the watch.

contact the police without delay.

[Watch Professor]

It sounds like the watch never reached a Rolex RSC, but rather the store watchmaker opened it up. So they are lying. Second, possibly the reason that he wants you to sign that agreement is that the replacement watch is not new, or not real, or not working. Don't sign anything. Contact Rolex immediately and I would file a police report.

[Dob]

Originally Posted by roley798

hello TRF members. Unfortunately, my first post here has to be a negative one. Before I post the borderline criminal acts achieved by a local AD in san Diego, I would like to inform you that as I am no watch expert, I have a general knowledge of watches, their movements, and Rolex. About seven months ago I purchased my first datejust. Less then a month later I noticed several problems: +8 sec. A day, date change was inconsistent, and the minute hand would not be consistent with the marker, making it difficult to tell the actual time. So I take my watch to the AD in fashion valley.4 weeks later it is returned, but with DEEP scratches on the caseback and bracelet. When confronted, the matchmaker stated that these are normal, and no matter what Rolex can not repair the watch without scratching it. Immediately I informed the store manager, and he quickly apologized, while the matchmaker continued to try to prove his point. After waiting the required 4 weeks, the watch is returned with a new caseback... and new scratches. This time my watch is -1 sec. A day. So after arguing w/ the store manager for several days, he agrees to make an exchange. As I am ready to take the new watch home, he pulls out a contract he made, which has no affiliation w/ Ben bridge, saying that I cannot return the watch and my warranty is void. After refusing to sign this piece of garbage he then offered a refund. After all of this I accept, only to have him change his mind about the refund minutes later saying that I will have to take him to court. At this time he is in possession of my watch, and money. This is by far the worst customer service I have experienced, and wish it upon no one. If you are ever in the SD area, avoid the Ben bridge in fashion valley at all cost!!!

First and foremost, the dealer has no option other than to return your money or give you the watch. It is absolutely illegal for him to keep both and you can take immediate legal action against the store. Second, it is highly likely (from a legal perspective) that any contract he asks you to sign under these circumstances would be unenforceable in a court of law and worthless to him.

[RW16610]

Oh my goodness, that is by far the most messed up thing I have heard any dealer ever do! Contact the store HQ AND the Police for this. Once you paid and the funds went through there is no reason for him to keep the watch. Stores like these in my honest opinion are the ones who should go out of business, not the decent ones like we have seen (well heard) go under in USA. Best of luck to you with this.

[hsfrank]

Here is my suggestion. It is based on years of dealing with consumer issues and being an advocate for them. First go to the store manager and CALMLY state that you want your watch. DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING. If he insists on having you sign anything then leave and go immediately to the nearest police precinct and tell them that you wish their assistance in recovering a watch that was a theft by conversion. You must have the receipt and evidence of ownership. If they refuse ask to speak to the Officer of the Day. If this is successful then pursue your conversations with Rolex USA. If this is not successful then IMMEADIATELY go down to your courts and file a civil action. You can do this your self. If the value of the watch is less than the small claims limit then file there otherwise it is your civil court. Here is some helpful information.
http://www.kinseylaw.com/clientserv2...onversion.html

I suggest that these things be done immeately. Do not wait or accept promises. The issue is clear. The watch is yours. You are owed either the watch or your money. BTW , coincidently I had the manager of the now defunct Bailey Banks and Biddle try to void the warranty to me on a watch. After I contacted the president of Finley who owned BB&B, I wound up with a new watch at a 30% discount. Good Luck!

[dooder202]

I feel that the OP wants to have them have the watch so when action does take pleace he can prove that the scratches were on there.

Sounds to me that these crooks never sent your watch out to RSC.. Hence the "We might have sent it to RSC New York, but I'm not sure"... That's unreal, if I heard that I would have had no choice but to sock him...

His watchmakers tried to service it and ended up fking up the caseback. Simple as that.

Call the police and file a report FIRST...Seriously, that is the best thing you can do if you do ever need to go to court--> it shows you mean business.

Call Rolex TODAY, let them know what happened and find out which (IF ANY) RSC your watch went to, and the condition it arrived in, and the condition it left in...It might have arrived all damaged and then this AD thought they'd take care of it and they didn't..Now the AD is stuck between a rock and a hard place trying to void the Rolex warranty (Which I assure you is IMPOSSIBLE) What right does this guy have to void a warranty for a major corporation's product?

Good Luck !

[dooder202]

Originally Posted by hsfrank

Here is my suggestion. It is based on years of dealing with consumer issues and being an advocate for them. First go to the store manager and CALMLY state that you want your watch. DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING. If he insists on having you sign anything then leave and go immediately to the nearest police precinct and tell them that you wish their assistance in recovering a watch that was a theft by conversion. You must have the receipt and evidence of ownership. If they refuse ask to speak to the Officer of the Day. If this is successful then pursue your conversations with Rolex USA. If this is not successful then IMMEADIATELY go down to your courts and file a civil action. You can do this your self. If the value of the watch is less than the small claims limit then file there otherwise it is your civil court. Here is some helpful information.
http://www.kinseylaw.com/clientserv2...onversion.html

I suggest that these things be done immeately. Do not wait or accept promises. The issue is clear. The watch is yours. You are owed either the watch or your money. BTW , coincidently I had the manager of the now defunct Bailey Banks and Biddle try to void the warranty to me on a watch. After I contacted the president of Finley who owned BB&B, I wound up with a new watch at a 30% discount. Good Luck!

WOW, UNREAL...

What is this place's deal with trying to void warranties???????

How is it advantageous to them?

The only thing I can imagine is because then the consumber thinks that the AD has all right to service the watch and to leave Rolex USA and RSC out of it???

[ersnyder]

Wow! Welcome to TRF and pay close attention to some of the sound advice presented. I've gotta believe that when the proper people at Ben Bridge learn of this incident that all will be made right. This whole thing is just too weird. You should go up the "food chain" at BB and talk with someone in district management and make them aware of this behavior. I'm sure they will take care of it in a proper way once they learn all the facts.

[hsfrank]

Just a note on voiding the warrantee. An AD may or may not have the authority to do that. It would depend on his authority from Rolex ( i.e. is he their agent.) However if you sign it in order to get your watch, it is evidence in a civil matter. It is a contract and contracts are enforced according to what is in them and NOTHING else. The rare exception would be if it was against public policy ( such as to commit a crime.)

[t e x]

Sorry to read your misfortune, this is absolutely mind boggling. Keep us posted of the outcome.

btw, welcome to trf.

[gregmoeck]

tell the store manager that you are going to call Rolex NYC, that should get his attention. AD's dont like phone calls made to NYC

[SoCal C4S]

Tell me that because you paid cash, you have the proper receipts and documents for the watch... You do have a receipt for the watch, right?

[TopNotchChach]

thats horrible. call rolex and bb asap.

hope your situation gets better.

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by roley798

@ cry jones, do you mean the bogus contract? It was 1 page typed on a piece of computer paper. It had no affiliation with Ben bridge, and he would not offer a copy of it, since I did not sign it. The store manager stated that "I think we sent it to Rolex ny, but I am not sure." And believe me, this whole experience is just as strange for me. But I guarantee Rolex and the bbb will be informed.

no, sorry, i meant that the store has to have copies of the paperwork it sent to RSC, and, i would have thought, they would have given you a copy of such paperwork when you gave them the watch to take care of for you.

at any rate, it's just strange that the manager has no idea what they did with a multi-thousand dollar watch. not that i am doubting your story, it's just so "out there"/scary.

[Rolex Freak]

If you have a friend that is a lawyer, have he/she draft a letter stating that if the watch isn't returned to you within 24hrs, you will sue for twice the value. Have the letter delivered by registered mail to his attention. It's amazing how quickly people respond when they think they will be sued. Also, I'd put in a call to Rolex immediately and the local police. This should rattle his cage.

[B. Doggy]

Wow!

[George Ab]

Rolex has a caseback tool, that makes it pretty much foolproof to scratch the case. The process can be accomplished by a monkey (no offense to monkeys) as you have to position the watch with the back up on the fixture, lower vice, and turn handle. When tightening, it ratchets when the proper torque has been achieved. The watchmaker is a hack!

An attorney will gladly write a letter and it should only be $100-$200. You also can write a letter: simply state the facts and attempt to keep the emotion out of it. Store manager has refused to return your watch and watchmaker has damaged your watch are the points of fact with dates. State what you want: refund or repaired watch. Give him time to respond and then you need to take legal action; this is how disputes are resolved. I would carbon copy (cc) Ben Bridge corporate on the letter along with Rolex USA. Both are interesting in their stores being properly managed and their watchmakers properly trained.

Better yet, send the letter to Ben Bridge corporate, and cc the Ben Bridge store, and Rolex USA.

[TheVTCGuy]

Roley, I know the watchmaker you are talking about and the store, I don't have any personal experience with them as I chose the other Ben Bridge (UTC) to do my business, and have had nothing but exceptional service from those guys, but I have heard more then one bad story about the workmanship from the guy in Fashion Valley.

I know you probably don't want to deal with BB any more, but I can personally hook you up with the manager and watchmaker of the UTC store if you like, they are the absolute best and maybe can help (?). I have had my Daytona worked on by the watchmaker in UTC (Brian) and it NEVER came back with a single scratch, matter of fact, it usually looked better then when I brought it in!

[bemik]

Gosh, I would not tolerate those kind of behavior from any store, let alone a Rolex AD!!

[toddb]

Right down the block at fashion valley is royal maui ! check them out. Even better is swiss watch gallery in la jolla a REAL retail outlet.

[dhh]

Call Rolex USA, Ben Bridge corporate offices and the Police - total nonsense.

Have an attorney draft a letter to RUSA and Ben Bridge corporate.

[RolexV3]

Originally Posted by roley798

hello TRF members. Unfortunately, my first post here has to be a negative one. Before I post the borderline criminal acts achieved by a local AD in san Diego, I would like to inform you that as I am no watch expert, I have a general knowledge of watches, their movements, and Rolex. About seven months ago I purchased my first datejust. Less then a month later I noticed several problems: +8 sec. A day, date change was inconsistent, and the minute hand would not be consistent with the marker, making it difficult to tell the actual time. So I take my watch to the AD in fashion valley.4 weeks later it is returned, but with DEEP scratches on the caseback and bracelet. When confronted, the matchmaker stated that these are normal, and no matter what Rolex can not repair the watch without scratching it. Immediately I informed the store manager, and he quickly apologized, while the matchmaker continued to try to prove his point. After waiting the required 4 weeks, the watch is returned with a new caseback... and new scratches. This time my watch is -1 sec. A day. So after arguing w/ the store manager for several days, he agrees to make an exchange. As I am ready to take the new watch home, he pulls out a contract he made, which has no affiliation w/ Ben bridge, saying that I cannot return the watch and my warranty is void. After refusing to sign this piece of garbage he then offered a refund. After all of this I accept, only to have him change his mind about the refund minutes later saying that I will have to take him to court. At this time he is in possession of my watch, and money. This is by far the worst customer service I have experienced, and wish it upon no one. If you are ever in the SD area, avoid the Ben bridge in fashion valley at all cost!!!

I'm a former southern Calif. resident myself.. That is a bunch of garbage if
you ask me.. If watchmakers use their equipment right their should not
be scratches at all cost.. if it were me I'd turn that company into
the BBB and let them know what's going on.. sorry you have to start
your Rolex Experience like that.. If it's still there try Blumenthal jewelers
in the la mesa area http:/www./blumenthaljewelers.com/

[dhh]

sent to info@benbridge.com



I was reading this online and the story has gained quite a lot of internet attention on various message boards – I trust that you would find this conduct in your store as unacceptable. It appears that your corporate offices may be unaware of this incident.

You should address this issue one way or another before you gain more media attention.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=159474

Here is the initial complaint.

“Unfortunately, my first post here has to be a negative one. Before I post the borderline criminal acts achieved by a local AD in san Diego, I would like to inform you that as I am no watch expert, I have a general knowledge of watches, their movements, and Rolex. About seven months ago I purchased my first datejust. Less then a month later I noticed several problems: +8 sec. A day, date change was inconsistent, and the minute hand would not be consistent with the marker, making it difficult to tell the actual time. So I take my watch to the AD in fashion valley.4 weeks later it is returned, but with DEEP scratches on the caseback and bracelet. When confronted, the matchmaker stated that these are normal, and no matter what Rolex can not repair the watch without scratching it. Immediately I informed the store manager, and he quickly apologized, while the matchmaker continued to try to prove his point. After waiting the required 4 weeks, the watch is returned with a new caseback... and new scratches. This time my watch is -1 sec. A day. So after arguing w/ the store manager for several days, he agrees to make an exchange. As I am ready to take the new watch home, he pulls out a contract he made, which has no affiliation w/ Ben bridge, saying that I cannot return the watch and my warranty is void. After refusing to sign this piece of garbage he then offered a refund. After all of this I accept, only to have him change his mind about the refund minutes later saying that I will have to take him to court. At this time he is in possession of my watch, and money. This is by far the worst customer service I have experienced, and wish it upon no one. If you are ever in the SD area, avoid the Ben bridge in fashion valley at all cost!!!”

[marcinthemiddle]

I'm confused by your hesitation to get law enforcement involved.
That being said, I hope it works out for you...

[CaveDiver]

Originally Posted by roley798

@toxicant, thank you for the support. Although the warranty is between the buyer and Rolex, I would have signed a paper that would allow him to not be liable for any wrong doing on his part. Meaning that if the watch stopped the next day, my signature would state that I "certify that it is in perfect working order" and "can not return the watch". Didn't seem like a smart move to me.

Sounds like an unauthorized watchmaker worked on the watch. That voided the warranty from Rolex. Who knows what the inside of that watch looks like. Most likely the watch has tale signs of that effect. The manager knows that.. That is why he wants you to sign that paper. Do not take that watch back.