I'm uber Pi$$ed

[rkb]

So, I went to a local AD today looking around for a Sea Dweller which they had. In the process of negotiating I asked about the trade in value of my 6 month old Explorer. Now I know that if I want top dollar for my watch that I should sell it outright, but I wanted to see what they would offer, if only to test my since of humor. In the end they shot me some prices for my trade VS a Sea Dweller and a non date Sub. However in order to properly valuate my watch the lady had to take it back to the owner for him to arrive at a trade in value. This is what lead to me getting mad, shortly after leaving the store I looked my Explorer and it was all scratched to hell. I have manage to keep my watch flawless up until today. But after their "inspection" there was scratches all over the polished bezel and sides. My guess is they allowed someone to wipe down the watch with a cloth that had grit on it and that is were the scratches came from.

Fortunately being a longtime watch enthusiast I have the tools to re-polish the watch- which I did. But that crap is not right, this is a fairly expensive watch and should have never happened. Do I call and lodge a complaint or not?

[kcmo]

I would have gone back and talked to them about it.

[rkb]

I will talk to them tomorrow but I fear that if not initiated correctly the conversation will deteriorate into a match of either "it must have been scratched before you brought it in" or "you have some people that need to properly take care of a customer's property".

[HYDROMAROC]

Should have taken pictures before you handed it to them, in front of them. Then if there was a problem, show them the pix... Sux that you would have to do something like that but they are trying to low ball you...

[kyle L]

That would not be acceptable if I was in your situation. But mine already has many battle scars!

[Thrasher]

I can well understand how aggravating this would be. GRRRRR. It is certainly worth telling them. You can't win anything here, and you've already repaired the damage, but they need to know what happened. They might deny any wrongdoing, but at least your side of the street is clean. Giving in to anger and shouting at them means that they win. Maintaining your cool and calmly telling them what happened lets them know they goofed up.

I would not have dreamed of taking pictures of my watch prior to handing it over to an ad for inspection. I will, if ever in this situation, show the condition of the watch to the clerk and have verbally noted between us.

[rkb]

In the end they wanted my watch and 1850 for a non date Sub or my watch and 3150 for a SD. But hey they gave me a Perpetual Spirit magazine......

[2th Dr]

I'd be FURIOUS! Completely unacceptable!

[weizhen77]

how did you manage to maintain your watch in flawless condition for 6 months? I have got my first scratch on the first day. Currently they are countless and 2 very deep ones(I dropped it ).

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by weizhen77

how did you manage to maintain your watch in flawless condition for 6 months? I have got my first scratch on the first day. Currently they are countless and 2 very deep ones(I dropped it ).

No kidding, my SS Daytona got scratched sitting in the box.

Anyways, there really isn't much you can do *now*, especially since you fixed it. It's probably not worth getting in to a small battle.

Just don't give them your business, that's the best revenge, isn't it?

[rkb]

Well, I guess I don't wear it that much. I pretty much have a watch for every day of the week.

This is the email I sent the salesperson-

Stefanie-

As usual I enjoyed working with you on a proposed trade of my Explorer for either a Sea Dweller or the non date Submariner. However, shortly after I left your store I looked at my watch only to find many small scratches covering both the polished bezel and the watch sides. As a collector of many timepieces I have a very intimate knowledge of the current condition of any of my watches that make it into my weekly rotation. That is why I can say to the absolute best of my knowledge my Explorer arrived at your shop in near factory mint condition but left much less than so. Being a longtime collector I have amassed the tools to repair the damage, which I have done, but I feel that it is important to advise you so that whoever inspected my watch can dispose of the cleaning cloth they used to remove fingerprints as I feel that the cloth is contaminated with some form of grit.

Regards
Russell Brier

[Idle Swede]

Nice e-mail, straight to the point.

Let's see if you get a response.

[kyle L]

Originally Posted by rkb

Well, I guess I don't wear it that much. I pretty much have a watch for every day of the week.

This is the email I sent the salesperson-

Stefanie-

As usual I enjoyed working with you on a proposed trade of my Explorer for either a Sea Dweller or the non date Submariner. However, shortly after I left your store I looked at my watch only to find many small scratches covering both the polished bezel and the watch sides. As a collector of many timepieces I have a very intimate knowledge of the current condition of any of my watches that make it into my weekly rotation. That is why I can say to the absolute best of my knowledge my Explorer arrived at your shop in near factory mint condition but left much less than so. Being a longtime collector I have amassed the tools to repair the damage, which I have done, but I feel that it is important to advise you so that whoever inspected my watch can dispose of the cleaning cloth they used to remove fingerprints as I feel that the cloth is contaminated with some form of grit.

Regards
Russell Brier

Spoken like a true WIS.
Great e-mail, nice and polite.

[rkb]

Here's the really scary part- on both the SD and no date Sub the triangle on the rotating bezel failed to perfectly line up with the twelve o'clock mark. It was offset by just a fraction, but enough that once people like us we see it, we will see nothing else.

[onkyo]

Great email..... crazy they would not see THEIR scratches right away.

[cody p]

i'd just categorize that under 'crap happens' and forget about it.

[Thrasher]

That email is a great example of how a gentleman should respond to a situation such as this. Well done, sir.

[DadsWatch72]

I would have never left the store without completely inspecting the watch. And yes, I would tell them what they did and expect compensation. I think the email was well written.

[greekbum]

Originally Posted by Idle Swede

Nice e-mail, straight to the point.

Let's see if you get a response.

X2 I think they will reach out to you to keep your business.I think you made a big mistake and can learn from it. Anytime you hand someone your watch and it leaves your eye site do a visual inspection before you put it on and leave the store.This way you have a leg to stand on if somethings not like it was before you handed it to them.Being a WIS a scratch stands out like whamo on a watch and is noticeable instantly.I once handed a ring to someone to clean and as she was walking dropped it and it bent before my eyes it was a mistake and these things happen sometime.They fixed it.

[rkb]

Thanks all, I knew I would receive the understanding ears of my fellow TRF members. All will be fine it is simply a shock to the system!

[Mike B]

I'd be steaming MAD as well. If that was me, and I noticed those scratches, I would've immediately went back, and show them. However, I think your E-mail to them is very well written, and I hope you get a call back from them with something (compensation, after all, it WAS thier fault).
Good luck !
Mike

[Lol-x]

I would be slighly furious

I hope it works out for you. Another example why I don't let people touch my watch when I don't know then, let alone take it away.

[springer]

Sounds like they used a scuff pad on it instead of a cloth.

[AIKO]

Originally Posted by rkb

So, I went to a local AD today looking around for a Sea Dweller which they had. In the process of negotiating I asked about the trade in value of my 6 month old Explorer. Now I know that if I want top dollar for my watch that I should sell it outright, but I wanted to see what they would offer, if only to test my since of humor. In the end they shot me some prices for my trade VS a Sea Dweller and a non date Sub. However in order to properly valuate my watch the lady had to take it back to the owner for him to arrive at a trade in value. This is what lead to me getting mad, shortly after leaving the store I looked my Explorer and it was all scratched to hell. I have manage to keep my watch flawless up until today. But after their "inspection" there was scratches all over the polished bezel and sides. My guess is they allowed someone to wipe down the watch with a cloth that had grit on it and that is were the scratches came from.

Fortunately being a longtime watch enthusiast I have the tools to re-polish the watch- which I did. But that crap is not right, this is a fairly expensive watch and should have never happened. Do I call and lodge a complaint or not?

Hindsight is 20-20 but I had that happen once so now if I am in that situation, I will inspect my watch with the shop to determine what is and what is not there before that take it in the back.

[icnbne]

maybe they were trying to devalue your watch?
either way, I would be equally pi$$ed as you..

[nektar]

you cannot do a lot.. but you followed the best way!!!!!!!!!

[User Name]

Originally Posted by weizhen77

how did you manage to maintain your watch in flawless condition for 6 months? I have got my first scratch on the first day. Currently they are countless and 2 very deep ones(I dropped it ).

I bought a new camera years ago and my friend dropped it the second day I had it. So fast forward to this weekend when I show him my watch, he wanted to try it on so we moved to the carpeted room. For my protection only....

I didn't want a rerun....

[ROLEX MAN]

BS like this happens all the time, try taking a BMW or Mercedes for a service they will always scuff their shoes on your interior and treat it like a Hyundai!!

[walds11]

I would be furious. Hopefully they will take care of it in some manner.

"...shortly after leaving the store I looked my Explorer and it was all scratched to hell."

Why didn't you notice the scratches when the watch was returned to you? Just saying...

[frank gama]

Originally Posted by Thrasher

That email is a great example of how a gentleman should respond to a situation such as this. Well done, sir.

X2