Beware Dealers - Andrew's Problem

[TJGladeRaider]

Dear Sir,

I have read with some attention the account of this story as related by Andrew, and I am aware that there are always two sides to everything.

What I want to share with you is my personal experience that is so similar that I think the facts might be relevant to you.

I bought yet another of Joshua's "Perfect" Sea Dwellers - one of many as it is a watch I have made no secret that I like a lot, with the "full service package."

Imagine my dismay when the watch showed up and the date was not properly aligned in the window. It worked fine, but for a very expensive rep that had been "individually hand serviced," completely unacceptable.

Somehow, I managed to refrain from posting nasty grams, pissing and moaning to PayPal, or having Vito and Sal stop by and break anybody's legs. I have very little patience with [censored], but I like to be in full possession of the facts before doing anything dramatic.

I returned the watch via FedEx, and his man examined it immediately. He reported, thru Joshua, that the watch had been dropped and something had broken inside which seemed odd to me since it looked more like a minor adjustment issue. When I attempted to replace the bracelet, I found that his watch smythe had actually taped two tiny metal pieces to the back of the watch so I would see what he meant.

Examined under the loop, the watch as I received it has the most perfectly centered date of any SD I have - and that's quite a statement considering.

Don't you think that's a better way to handle things than making people mad enough to try to get even. Why risk having someone turn off your utilities, or report your credit cards stolen, or have "Brucie" call your mom and beg her to be more openminded about your relationships, or "Bambi" call your wife, or subscribe you to NAMBLA, or ruin your credit, or order kiddie porn from a sting operation in your name, or Phasma e-mails from "you" to high ranking public officials referencing explosives and anthrax . . . or any of those other silly childish pranks that kids play.

Worse yet, even in a nice little community like this, you might [censored] off somebody who would do something wicked.

Bill

[robertrinaustin]

Remind me to never [censored] off Bill.

[lanikai]

what we need to remember is .. and I do mean we because we all at risk.. the dealers more so...we need to protect our sources...I choose to do business with the dealers.. I am not coerced in any way to buy reps.. many of the dealers live in country's where penalties are huge... and if someone is going to "rat" because they are acting like a spoiled child..one stupid act could have everyones pay pal account pulled....i was in a situation where customs agents knocked on my door for something entirely different, (product) they wanted names and threatened jail and what not.... they didn't get anything because it was my decision to do what I did .. my friends where never mentioned... problems need to be kept in house..solutions can be forth coming.... I do business with people I trust and hopefully trust me, remember we are by law in a business that is illegal in some way... we are not out to rip anyone off or profit by reselling the reps.. this is for personal satisfaction..so to the person who gave Andrew undue stress.. if that's what brings you satisfaction then remember you are acting illegally also.. i belong to other forums not watch related and never have posted any comments because opinions sometimes are like assholes and I don't need someone talking trash over the net... cowardly is the only word that comes to mind.. but I feel compelled to do this because we would all suffer.. sometimes you need to bite the bullet for the good of everyone else... bottom line I was alway's taught...

[Watchwatcher]

Bill,

well stated, and an important reminder. a lot of the problems that crop up here can be traced back to lousy (or a complete lack of) communication. email tends to be far too 1-dimensional, and usually a terrible tool for reconciliation... best suggestion for all of us, is when you have a problem, don't jump on your computer and start firing off missiles at the dealer, paypal, etc. take a few minutes and consider carefully, what is the best way to SOLVE the problem... write the dealer a detailed note, include photos when possible, suggest a manner of resolution and a backup/alternative. keep the dialogue open. again, thanks bill for giving a great illustration of how a problem can become a win/win.

[JWR]

NAMBLA... LOL.

[chrgod]

A good read..

There have been a lot of fuzz lately about these things. I hope the newbies read stories like this, and learn to be a little patient..

[Richard Tracy]

Bill is top notch in my book !

[crystalcranium]

Dear Sir,

I have read with some attention the account of this story as related by Andrew, and I am aware that there are always two sides to everything.

What I want to share with you is my personal experience that is so similar that I think the facts might be relevant to you.

I bought yet another of Joshua's "Perfect" Sea Dwellers - one of many as it is a watch I have made no secret that I like a lot, with the "full service package."

Imagine my dismay when the watch showed up and the date was not properly aligned in the window. It worked fine, but for a very expensive rep that had been "individually hand serviced," completely unacceptable.

Somehow, I managed to refrain from posting nasty grams, pissing and moaning to PayPal, or having Vito and Sal stop by and break anybody's legs. I have very little patience with [censored], but I like to be in full possession of the facts before doing anything dramatic.

I returned the watch via FedEx, and his man examined it immediately. He reported, thru Joshua, that the watch had been dropped and something had broken inside which seemed odd to me since it looked more like a minor adjustment issue. When I attempted to replace the bracelet, I found that his watch smythe had actually taped two tiny metal pieces to the back of the watch so I would see what he meant.

Examined under the loop, the watch as I received it has the most perfectly centered date of any SD I have - and that's quite a statement considering.

Don't you think that's a better way to handle things than making people mad enough to try to get even. Why risk having someone turn off your utilities, or report your credit cards stolen, or have "Brucie" call your mom and beg her to be more openminded about your relationships, or "Bambi" call your wife, or subscribe you to NAMBLA, or ruin your credit, or order kiddie porn from a sting operation in your name, or Phasma e-mails from "you" to high ranking public officials referencing explosives and anthrax . . . or any of those other silly childish pranks that kids play.

Worse yet, even in a nice little community like this, you might [censored] off somebody who would do something wicked.

Bill

The only thing I can add is that Joshua may be a special case. His customer service is second to none. I have had several issues with pieces I bought from him and the result has always been satisfactory. Did you know he tests all of the watches he sends out? Even the notorious old 7750's apparently get an overnight function test of the movement and stopwatch so very few arrive the dreaded DOA. He is currently modifying the movement of an Omega Moonwatch for me, freezing the hour hand on the non functional subdial BEFORE I've paid him for the piece so when I can pay him on 8/11, the watch will be ready to ship out immediatly. He also quoted me a price for the modification that was much lower than the price I told him I was willing to pay. I have read posts from others where he has sourced parts for them for watches they did not buy from him. I have not bought from Andrew, King, TTK or any of the others here so I cannot testify to their level of customer service, but I can't see how they could be any better at it than Josh is. In a business where dealers are here today, gone tomorrow, this guy has my highest praise for excellent business practices.

[Birdman]

Communication is the key. I have had a few problems with some of the watches from Joshua and we always have come up with a solution that did not require me to ship the watch back. I am quite flexible when it comes to getting a problem fixed and I think that is what is required. I had an issue with a small knick on a crystal that was barely noticable. My solution to it was that he waive the shipping on the next watch. This was accepted by him and on top of it he acquired a new crystal and shipped it to me.

In summary you need to be flexible and it is a little like gambling. If you cant afford to loose don't bet or in the rep world buy a timex.

[crystalcranium]

Communication is the key. I have had a few problems with some of the watches from Joshua and we always have come up with a solution that did not require me to ship the watch back. I am quite flexible when it comes to getting a problem fixed and I think that is what is required. I had an issue with a small knick on a crystal that was barely noticable. My solution to it was that he waive the shipping on the next watch. This was accepted by him and on top of it he acquired a new crystal and shipped it to me.

In summary you need to be flexible and it is a little like gambling. If you cant afford to loose don't bet or in the rep world buy a timex.

That's right. too many of us expect the clandestine replica factories to replicate the "flawless" nature of swiss made time pieces as well. This is a less that honest business that tends to do pretty well in the QC department. They are not regulated by government edict or inspection, they are only responsible to the consumer. When you factor in this "they have no one to answer to" issue, I think the watches we get at the prices we get are pretty remarkable. A nick here, a scratch there every 7-8 purchases or so???? I don't consider that lousy QC. Remember what you are buying.