Probably post in another forum or the conversations side of this one. ;-)

I gave up on expensive watches. Got a $30 Timex last year. So far, so good.

oops - I thought I was in conversations! I'm sure it will be moved...

I would call the corporate office and complain big time. It shouldn't matter if you purchased any item in their store from $30-1000. you shouldn't be ripped off. If they care about their reputation, they'll be interested and I'll bet that employee won't be there for long. Glad you got a second opinion.

Here is a link that might be useful: Corporate

Heck, I don't even wear a watch very much now that cell phones and car radios and stoves and microwaves and computers and, well, everything, has a clock on it, but my last one cost $12.99. I buy them cheaply and when they stop running I buy a new one, it's more cost effective in both money and time than having to have the battery replaced.

That said, I'd be mad as he!!. I'd take myself and my watch right back and talk to the person who gave you the bad information. I'd then explain how I wanted to make a complaint to their supervisor. If they don't have one, complain to their "headquarters", everyone has a superior somewhere. I'd make the complaint in writing and send a copy to the BBB and my state attorney general's consumer protection division.

Since no amount was actually expended in the false repair, you probably are not entitled to reparations, but you can sure blow the whistle so they don't do it to someone else.

Annie

Foodon:
Man, You have more problems than Dick Tracy !!! LOL
Remember that one ???
- - - - - -
Whenever you have battery leakage, Check the make of the Battery.
I think it is Ever Ready that has a Guarantee about leakage.
It is written on the Battery.

I've sent back items that were replaced or replaced.

One was a Volt-Ohm Meter which cost a few bucks.
- - - - - - - - -

Now I'm going to check all my Camera's and Equiptment.
You are a trouble maker !!! LOL
LOU

I would be furious. I would write a letter to the company and leave a spot to write in the name of the employee. Then I would go back to that store and get the name of the employee that gave the bad advice and I would insert their name into the letter. One copy to the store manager and one copy to corporate. You might have to play nice when you walk in to get the correct name but if you can't identify who lied to you, then who will they reprimand?

The company probably will not care. I'll bet that the store personnel are instructed to treat problems such as yours in this way. It's called up-selling, and it's everywhere in the corporate world.

Sad, huh?

Well I just talked to the VP of Customer Service at corporate. He agreed that sounded very bad, and offered that I take the watch in (to another store) and have it fully serviced at no cost. Since no money or merchandise exchanged hands I really wasn't expecting any sort of restitution, so I'll take this as a kind offer.

But in the end, who knows if this was standard practice or a shady employee, or whether the complaint will go anywhere further.

FOAS, you are far kinder than I am. I'd be telling the VP that I was never doing business with his company again unless and until he could demonstrate that something was done about that particular incident, at the very least I'd be reporting it to the BBB.

They just got off very easily, in my opinion. And yes, it's rampant in the corporate world and will continue to be as long as there continues to be no repercussions and a free servicing will buy silence.

Annie

Tourneau is the largest watch retailer in the world - I love their Las Vegas store, which is THE biggest. Anyway, so far I've had good experiences with them - but my watch is still under warranty. I think their floor staff are all commissioned sales people - so they probably get commissions for up-selling.

Also if you did not buy the watch there, I would not take watch repair to them - you can get quick cheap repair and batteries at Seiko/Casio chain stores. I imagine they don't care about watch repair for watches not under warranty from Tourneau. It is a very high-end store and the staff are probably highly pressured to sell a quota, and luxury watch sales are down double-digits.

Too bad about your experience.

Forgot to say that it was really stupid of them to do that to you - any good commissioned sales rep knows that they should be nice and accommodating to anyone who comes into the store for any reason. A quick battery replacement would have made you a happy camper and you may have hung around to peruse the latest inventory for Christmas or birthday ideas. Now there's no chance of that!

Annie... sigh... I've got HBP. I'm trying to relax in life. They didn't rip me off. Only tried to.

Gina - The fact that they're such a big name is what surprised me about it. I'd expect this from a shady independent jeweler, not a big company with a reputation at stake. This particular store is a relatively crappy location. Not one of their nice high-end showrooms. I did make it clear - truthfully - that my wife's been pining for a Cartier and at this point there's no chance I'd buy one from Tourneau.

Guess what? Both Amazon and Costco (online) are authorized Cartier dealers! Costco only carries one or two models at a time. Amazon has more. And at highly discounted prices. Anyway, I would definitely buy from either of those companies. Then you take the new watch to your local place for fitting.

Actually I was trying on Cartier models in Vegas to see which model I liked before buying from Amazon or Costco. But I ended up choosing something different at Tourneau.

Also look at local jewelers and watch dealers - there are a lot more used Cartiers available now due to the recession.

Interesting, Gina! For right now though I'm happy that this watch is fixed. She's said for years that she loves the watch and the only thing she'd want over it is a Cartier. We can't afford it any more than we can afford the new motorcyle I'd buy if she bought herself an expensive watch.

So epilogue: I felt the need to go to the store face-to-face. I spoke with the manager who took down as much information as I could provide, seemed genuinely apologetic, and assured me that this was not acceptable business practice for Tourneau. I left with a $250 gift certificate in hand. I was happy.

But happiness was short-lived when I realized this gift certificate was really just a "gift certificate." Read: coupon. Expires the end of the year. For purchases $1000 or more. Cannot be used towards Rolex. Not to be combined with any other offer. Etc., etc. In other words, the equivalent of being handed a 20% off coupon at Bed Bath and Beyond.

Oh well. WHATever.

Oh jeez. What a bunch of jerks. Never go in there again and spread the word.

Glad you to hear you went back and let them know that you're not as dumb as you look. Oops -- did I just say that? ;0)

If you think you are mad to have deal with unethical watch repairs,

Wait until you have to deal with unnecessary surgeries. Some estimates are as high as 60% of all surgeries are not needed.

(Off topic. Sorry)
dcarch

This is funny! I want a watch that can withstand my gardening habits. It must be waterproof, sweatproof and sandproof. Almost killed my last Seiko (titanium model). Sent it back to Seiko and they fixed it as well as giving me a new free battery. Ahh, the joys of watches!

Glad you resolved your issue, but fraudulent actions always have reactions!