Am I being overreactive?

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Hi everyone. Got a little horror story and I want to know if I have too high expectations. I went to a preowned watch dealer, who said "every watch has been serviced". Ok, brilliant. I bought a vintage piece from him (nothing crazy, about 40 years old). 50 paces away from the store, I wind I up, nada. It was DOA. So i messaged the fella, and said "this watch you sold me isn't working. Any suggestions?" His response? "Give it a shake it was working fine when it left here". Bear in mind I'd gotten on a bus and was now about a mile away from the shop. It hadn't travelled crazy distances or anything. So I shook it, it ran for about 30 seconds then conked out. So I got home, cracked the back off, gave the mainspring barrel a poke, put the back on, and left it on my bedside table. 12 hours later, was still running. I checked it on one of those timegrapher apps, beat error was 4.0 and it was -480 spd. Ouch. But what the hell, at least it was working, right? I put it on my wrist, left the house and I shit you not, 20 yards from my front door it stopped. I was fucking fuming. So I went off to college, and after my lecture, I went to my local watchmaker, who I trust. I described the symptoms and he said "yeah mate sounds like the balance lever has gone". You what? On a watch that's only just been serviced (according to the seller) the balance lever goes kaput within 30 seconds of leaving the store? What? So I go to the dealer to find out he's gone home early and wouldn't be back until the end of the week. I message him and tell him what my watchmaker said and told him I wanted it fixing. His response? "We have in-house watchmakers so if you avoid tampering with it well have a look" Tampering? If you had done your f*cking job I wouldn't have needed to. So, end of the week comes, I drop the watch off and tell him I want it fixing. This is the 15th of May for a time frame.He says OK. A week later, I drop by to see what he has to say. He says 'either the balance lever is out (well duh jackass I told you that) or the jewel has cracked'. I say Ok, fix it. He says "it might be more cost effective to just buy a new one we may have to do a part exchange". The movement is a Vostok 2409. They're 10 a penny. He says "ill give it to my brother who does all the watchmaking to see what he has to say" Right, ok. I'm looking around his shop in case I do have to do an exchange, I pick up another of his watches, wind it, nope. I say to him, "this one's knackered as well" and he goes, oh no the seconds hand isn't seated right ill have my brother look at that as well". Seems like amateur hour over here. I leave him for a day or two, come back and ask him what was up with it. He says "oh he's not picked it up yet he's got to pick yours up and another one that's got something up with the spinny thing". If you are a watch seller, and you do not know what a f*cking rotor is called God help us all.  3 times last week I went in and he still said hes heard nothing. I went in today and still nowt. Am I being unreasonable in expecting (a) a watch that f*cking works when the seller claims it does and (b) a speedy solution? 

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That place is dodgy as hell. No you're not overreacting

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The spinny thing xD.

--> Yes you are right you paid for something you didn't get. Honestly after that third visit I would have demanded my money back and let him deal with his stuff

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UnholiestJedi

That place is dodgy as hell. No you're not overreacting

I tell you what mate he's not getting another penny from me. Thanks for confirming 

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simonswatch

The spinny thing xD.

--> Yes you are right you paid for something you didn't get. Honestly after that third visit I would have demanded my money back and let him deal with his stuff

I know right? High Street jewellery stores kind of get a pass at not knowing the terminology cos y'know it's just a job to them. This dude is the owner of the f*cking business and that business is selling vintage watches. He should know what a rotor is called. I'm gonna give him 2 more weeks then I'm demanding a full refund

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Not good at all,things can go wrong and especially with old stuff. But it seems a right amateur set up with a bloke with no idea of watches or customer service,his brother doesn't instill me with confidence either. You could leave it with them hopefully the 'expert' brother will fix it, or ask for your money back or take it to your watch repairer and get it fixed properly, more money though. And never grace their door again.

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For about 70% of people who "service" watches they blow a little air on the movement, oil some jewels and then watch it for 24 hours to see if it keeps time.  If it does, then they don't bother to take it apart and clean and oil it properly.

You are not overreacting.

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Hey,

I own a business in vintage and rare watches based out of Miami.

Depending of what brand it is, my watchmaker might be able to fix it. He is not cheap, but if he can handle, I have 100% confidence, the watch will work fine and we will provide you with a 2 years warranty on it.

Feel free to reach out at gregory@thesecondhandclub.com if you are interested.


Best,

G

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Sad story. Absolutely unacceptable. I don’t think any of those watches have been properly serviced at all. A lot of vintage dealers only polish and clean the case (often also very badly) and call that a service. 

A friend of mine bought a supposedly freshly serviced 50s Omega for her husband only to discover that the watch was running at 300 secs plus and when a watchmaker took a look he found the whole movement disgustingly encrusted with rust. 
Sellers lie about their watches all the time. 

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Sorry to hear and like everyone stated already your not overreacting. I hope it get resolved for you soon.

Form now on I will make sure before I leave the AD or any store I’ll make sure the watch is working fine, new or old or vintage, I’m usually a trusting person but times nowadays are different…

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Stricko

Not good at all,things can go wrong and especially with old stuff. But it seems a right amateur set up with a bloke with no idea of watches or customer service,his brother doesn't instill me with confidence either. You could leave it with them hopefully the 'expert' brother will fix it, or ask for your money back or take it to your watch repairer and get it fixed properly, more money though. And never grace their door again.

I'm not sure what I'll do honestly. The watch itself is a Vostok from the early 80s and it cost me £50. I really like it but if its going to be a black hole sucking in money it may be better for me to just cut my losses and get a refund

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Aurelian

For about 70% of people who "service" watches they blow a little air on the movement, oil some jewels and then watch it for 24 hours to see if it keeps time.  If it does, then they don't bother to take it apart and clean and oil it properly.

You are not overreacting.

Thank you for the confirmation. I hate to be so negative as yeah things do go wrong but it's stupid how bad this whole thing is 

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What happened to the days when a seller would put his name behind his items?

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Thesecondhandclub

Hey,

I own a business in vintage and rare watches based out of Miami.

Depending of what brand it is, my watchmaker might be able to fix it. He is not cheap, but if he can handle, I have 100% confidence, the watch will work fine and we will provide you with a 2 years warranty on it.

Feel free to reach out at gregory@thesecondhandclub.com if you are interested.


Best,

G

Thank you for the link mate. I'll add it to the potential way forward

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flo_of_time

Sad story. Absolutely unacceptable. I don’t think any of those watches have been properly serviced at all. A lot of vintage dealers only polish and clean the case (often also very badly) and call that a service. 

A friend of mine bought a supposedly freshly serviced 50s Omega for her husband only to discover that the watch was running at 300 secs plus and when a watchmaker took a look he found the whole movement disgustingly encrusted with rust. 
Sellers lie about their watches all the time. 

Absolutely disgusting. Did your friend complain?

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Ichibunz

Sorry to hear and like everyone stated already your not overreacting. I hope it get resolved for you soon.

Form now on I will make sure before I leave the AD or any store I’ll make sure the watch is working fine, new or old or vintage, I’m usually a trusting person but times nowadays are different…

Make sure you do. May you never have to tread the same road as I (what book is that from?)

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I'd assume that places run like this only stay in business out of people's fear of confrontation. I can't imagine any repeat business. And of course this kind of trashy service leads many to believe that any vintage watch is an unreliable and flaky affair, which is sad and untrue. 

It's good that you are getting stuff in writing, because the honesty of this vendor is highly questionable. Personally I'd get a refund and be done with these people, which would likely save hassle on both ends. I don't see anything that would lead one to expect this will ever be resolved satisfactorily.

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TimexBadger

I feel your pain man. I recently lost $250 on ebay.  I didn't realize the Seller said no returns on his listing.  Oh well, you live and learn. I'm going to see if my watchmaker can fix it for a reasonable price, if not, it's a expensive broken watch.  As someone who invests in stocks and bonds for close to 30 years, I call these losses (tuition) because once the mistake is made, you never make it again.  So in reality, it's a pretty inexpensive lesson if you never repeat it.

Ouch. You live and learn I guess

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Chunghauphoto

Sorry to hear this story.

Everyone knows it’s not right. Don’t wait the two weeks - you’re entitled to a refund in it’s current condition. There doesn’t have to be any ill feeling between the two of you - it’s just the nature of this business sometimes. Hope it all works out ok

Yeah I suppose so I just really liked the watch so I don't want to have to walk away but it looks like I might have to

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Grady78

At this point you are being unreasonable...not with the dealer (they are horrible) but with yourself. You know what you are dealing with and (IMO) they will never meet your expectations.

If you like the watch immediately grab it back,  take it to a watchmaker you trust, and accept the additional cost as a lesson. 

Bottom line is stop spinning yourself up over a knucklehead; your frustrations are not worth the cost a legit repair. 

Yeah I do really like the watch it's just that he took £50 off me and the repair is gonna cost at least double that. I might have a look on ebay for a 2409 movement and do a straight swap myself. I don't want it to become a money black hole you know what I mean?

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Scooby

I'm not sure what I'll do honestly. The watch itself is a Vostok from the early 80s and it cost me £50. I really like it but if its going to be a black hole sucking in money it may be better for me to just cut my losses and get a refund

Dude, just order a brand new Vostok. They aren't much more than 50 quid and you get to pick the bracelet and have a bunch of dial designs from which to choose. Then it will run perfectly for years because 'you' are the one taking care of it. 

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https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/811137519/poljot-2409-movement?gpla=1&gao=1&

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DariusII

Dude, just order a brand new Vostok. They aren't much more than 50 quid and you get to pick the bracelet and have a bunch of dial designs from which to choose. Then it will run perfectly for years because 'you' are the one taking care of it. 

Yeah I suppose I could. The thing that drew me to that one in particular was that it had an issue number stamped into the caseback. A watch actually worn in combat? My history buff siren was going beserk

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OldSnafu

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/811137519/poljot-2409-movement?gpla=1&gao=1&

Thanks for the link mate!

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Scooby

Yeah I suppose I could. The thing that drew me to that one in particular was that it had an issue number stamped into the caseback. A watch actually worn in combat? My history buff siren was going beserk

Oh right.

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Scooby

Yeah I do really like the watch it's just that he took £50 off me and the repair is gonna cost at least double that. I might have a look on ebay for a 2409 movement and do a straight swap myself. I don't want it to become a money black hole you know what I mean?

A movement swap in a Vostok is easily accomplished; putting the hands back on should be the only semi-tricky step. 

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That stinks; good luck getting it resolved

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Grady78

A movement swap in a Vostok is easily accomplished; putting the hands back on should be the only semi-tricky step. 

Yeah I'm friends with the watchmaker so I'll probably send a fiver his way 

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ds760476

That stinks; good luck getting it resolved

Thanks mate

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Scooby

Yeah I do really like the watch it's just that he took £50 off me and the repair is gonna cost at least double that. I might have a look on ebay for a 2409 movement and do a straight swap myself. I don't want it to become a money black hole you know what I mean?

If you can find a donor movement I'll fit it for you free. Just pay postage both ways. 

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GasWorks

If you can find a donor movement I'll fit it for you free. Just pay postage both ways. 

Thank you for the offer. My plan now is to just get my money back and then use that money towards a seiko from you

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Scooby

Thank you for the offer. My plan now is to just get my money back and then use that money towards a seiko from you

No problem young man. I'll look after you