Servicing Con?

Author
Discussion

shentodj

Original Poster:

401 posts

235 months

Thursday 24th May 2007
quotequote all
Took my wife's Ebel Sportwave(quartz) to Jewellers here in Bournemouth. I was expecting a fairly large bill (I think last time it was £50'odd for a Battery on my Breitling), but after a couple of days that rang to say that "it needed a full service, approx £180". I said no thanks and they returned the watch (still NOT working) and charged me a tenner for handling.

Anyway, my son's Spongebob watch (bought from a Spanish Market) needed a battery the other day and so we went into Beales and I realised I had the Ebel with me too. So I asked him to do both. "Certainly Sir" and £25 quid and 30mins later BOTH watches working fine.

So did the Ebel REALLY need "a full service" or were they trying to rip me off?

Shentodj

zelleyford

232 posts

220 months

Thursday 24th May 2007
quotequote all
shentodj said:
Took my wife's Ebel Sportwave(quartz) to Jewellers here in Bournemouth. I was expecting a fairly large bill (I think last time it was £50'odd for a Battery on my Breitling), but after a couple of days that rang to say that "it needed a full service, approx £180". I said no thanks and they returned the watch (still NOT working) and charged me a tenner for handling.

Anyway, my son's Spongebob watch (bought from a Spanish Market) needed a battery the other day and so we went into Beales and I realised I had the Ebel with me too. So I asked him to do both. "Certainly Sir" and £25 quid and 30mins later BOTH watches working fine.

So did the Ebel REALLY need "a full service" or were they trying to rip me off?

Shentodj
Sounds to me like they aren't ripping any one off. When Ebel looked at it in there workshops, they will put the watch on a tester and if the computer comes back saying that it needs a service then thats what it needs. Also when you pay your 50 odd pounds for a battery and test they will put 1 years warranty. and if they think that there is something that is likeley to make it stop in 12 months, then it needs to have a service.
Last thing you want is for it to stop working after a few months after paying £50. I bet that you have a spot of bother soon with your wifes watch.
also £25 is a bit steep. I only charge £7.50 each watch, and you get your 12 month warranty on the battery. I hope that you have not been put off by the first jewllers and also that £10 is what Ebel charge.

L1OFF

3,418 posts

263 months

Saturday 26th May 2007
quotequote all
Same as my Omega, a service (£200) replaces anything that is worn including the glass and warrantied for 12 months. Had mine done on average every 3 - 4 years.

Alan

Daftlad

3,324 posts

248 months

Sunday 27th May 2007
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It seems that it is becoming the norm with watch manufacturers to refuse to fit bateries in watches without a big service bill. It is particularly annoying with Breitling as the oppurtunites to have a battery fitted by jewellers appear quite limited.


lowdrag

13,032 posts

220 months

Sunday 27th May 2007
quotequote all
What is this word "service" please? My Navitimer has been going ten years and runs perfectly. If it ain't broke and all that..............

Maxf

8,426 posts

248 months

Sunday 27th May 2007
quotequote all
lowdrag said:
What is this word "service" please? My Navitimer has been going ten years and runs perfectly. If it ain't broke and all that..............
Ah.. the benefits of a decent mechanical movement!

Daftlad

3,324 posts

248 months

Sunday 27th May 2007
quotequote all
lowdrag said:
What is this word "service" please? My Navitimer has been going ten years and runs perfectly. If it ain't broke and all that..............
My Navitimer also but for five years only. It was my wifes Brighthing with a battery that was the cause of the annoyance.

steil

1,113 posts

246 months

Thursday 31st May 2007
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L1OFF said:
Same as my Omega, a service (£200) replaces anything that is worn including the glass and warrantied for 12 months. Had mine done on average every 3 - 4 years.

Alan
Alan,
Where do you get it serviced - I've a Speedmaster looking worse for wear but have always been unsure/nervous about posting it off...

ta

toastboy

7,778 posts

227 months

Thursday 31st May 2007
quotequote all
steil said:
L1OFF said:
Same as my Omega, a service (£200) replaces anything that is worn including the glass and warrantied for 12 months. Had mine done on average every 3 - 4 years.

Alan
Alan,
Where do you get it serviced - I've a Speedmaster looking worse for wear but have always been unsure/nervous about posting it off...

ta
Take it to an Omega retailer and they'll send it off for you. Make sure you get a receipt and you'll be safe.

steil

1,113 posts

246 months

Friday 1st June 2007
quotequote all
I've been into the local Goldsmiths but the oik didn't really inspire much in the way of confidence other than "they'll service it" & could supply no further info on what would actually be done to the watch.

The bracelet on mine has a two-tone type polish where much of it is brushed & two thin strips are polishes s/steel - not sure they can restore as it all looks generally dull/scratched - that but I'd rather not send it in for a £200 lashing when it currently keeps time as well as my junghans alarm clock...

cheers,