How Watch Repair Shops Can Overcharge: 7 Tactics to Watch Out For
Navigating the world of watch repair can be tricky, especially when it comes to prestigious brands like Rolex and Longines. Many shops operate with integrity, but there’s always a chance of encountering those who aim to exploit. Here are seven common tactics used by some less reputable repair shops.
1. Deceptive Appearances: Shops often use names with “Hen” or “De” to imply sophistication, coupled with luxurious decor, claiming specialization in world-renowned, antique, or complicated watches, misleading customers.
2. Creating Fait Accompli: Without consultation, they disassemble your watch, making it hard to back out even if you change your mind about the repair.
3. Enticing Promises: They lure customers with promises of quick and inexpensive repairs, only for the total cost to balloon with added fees.
4. Bait and Switch: Repairers might show customers damaged gears, using pre-prepared broken parts as evidence, even when your watch has no such issues.
5. Destroying Evidence: Refusing to return old parts removed during repair, violating consumer rights, or immediately destroying these parts in front of you, eliminating any proof.
6. Collusion: Repair shops exchange information about customers. If you seek a second opinion, the next shop might quote you a similar or higher price, based on a prior agreement.
7. Skimping on Quality: In cases where you decline their service, some shops might damage your watch further or replace genuine parts with inferior ones. Particularly, be cautious with brands like Rado or Rolex, where band links are valuable and easily tampered with.
Armed with this knowledge, you can better protect yourself from potential scams and ensure your beloved timepiece receives the care it deserves.
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