written by swawuk2004 on 14/03/2016
My experience with Watchfinder started well in December 2015, Salesman (Maidstone) was friendly and helpful. Showed me a selection of watches. I picked the one for me and paid for it. It was a Breitling Super Avenger, it came with the original box and paperwork. Unfortunately it didn't come with spare links but luckily it fitted fine. That was the good part!! Now the BAD parts.
Not even a month later I went to set the time on my watch and the crown came loose. The reason why I had to set the time on the watch is because one of my other watches was on my watch winder. This means that I know my watches and coming from an engineering background, I know how to handle and treat these fine pieces of engineering. I knew it was nothing I had done. I booked an appointment to return the watch (being under Watchfinder's warranty), but was slightly disheartened so I had looked at two other watches that had caught my eye and wanted to exchange my one for these two paying some more money towards them. Met with the same salesman and put a deal together under the condition that my watch was faulty and not broken by human error.
It came back that it was "human error" for why the crown had broken, I was not happy with this and the watch got sent back to manufacturer for a second opinion. The verdict came back the same and he told me that if I still bought the other two watches then they would contribute towards the bill but I would still have to pay the difference. I decided I just wanted my watch back and I would decide what to do later. Time went by and lack of communication my watch was ready to be collected, then it wasn't, then Breitling hadn't sent it, and I couldn't pick it up from Breitling, then I could, lots and lots of phone calls. Lots and lots of frustration.
After weeks of trying to sort this problem out and now in Mid March 2016 the outcome is, I definitely do not want another second hand watch (let alone two) as YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW IT HAS BEEN TREATED by the previous owner(s). My watch is at Breitling still, with the option to be sent back to me not repaired or to pay the £604 repair bill........ Breitling have also recommended new link screws for the watch bracelet (£25) as they are damaged. Now I know after wearing the watch only twice and not having any links to add or remove, that isn't down to me. I am still waiting on a reply whether or not this is covered by Watchfinder's Warranty they offer with all the watches sold. But my concern is why something was not noticed when they inspected this watch when it came to them originally???? I was told every watch they receive goes under inspection. Maybe this one slipped through the net......................
Make your own minds up about second hand watches but just remember that even though they come with "Warranty" not everything is covered (Hardly anything in fact) so they can go wrong and with a high price tag comes a high repair bill.
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Customerservicewatchfinder's Response to swawuk2004's Review
Written on: 05/04/2016
The damage to the watch was caused by user error as confirmed by our service centre and Breitling. On that basis you were liable for the full cost of the works to rectify this, as quoted by Breitling of £604.00 inclusive of VAT.
Watchfinder offered to pay half towards a reduced cost of the service £200.00 on the basis you were purchasing additional items. When you advised you would not be proceeding with any future purchases, as a further gesture of good will, on the basis you pay the £400 in full ( discounted price) we would be happy to cover the excess.
Both of these offers were declined and you have subsequently proceeded the works with Breitling at the full cost of £604.00, in order to repair the damaged caused by user error. As such Breitling will issue you with a 12 month service warranty.
When sending a watch back to a service centre they will always quote to get the watch back to ‘as new condition’ you have purchased a pre owned item. You will also note that any quotes for cosmetic work is optional and therefore does not have to be proceeded.
I refer to the attached quote from Breitling that states ‘necessary work’ is £604.75 inclusive of VAT other works are optional.
To that end we would not look to make any further offers. I feel we did our utmost to assist you in this matter, and supplied very reasonable solutions which were not utilised.