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WatchMaxx Service

ctpete
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Over the years I have purchased a few watches from WatchMaxx. All the transactions have been just fine.

Recently, I purchased a Bell & Ross GMT (BR V2-93) from them. The watch arrived in perfect shape. However, it does not keep great time. It runs about 7 minutes slow each day. I am beyond the 30 return period but still well within the 2 year warrantee. And I really like the watch.

My question is....should I send it back to WatchMaxx for service under the warrantee? Do they have REAL watchmakers? Or should I pay for service direct from B&R? Or another independent watchmaker? (The cost is secondary in the case.)
 
Evitzee
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Unless you know the seller's repair capability I would treat their warranty as a throwaway. Eat the cost and send it to B&R to get sorted out. Seven minutes a day says something is radically wrong.
 
gbesq
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Agreed. Use either a qualified independent watchmaker or factory service.
 
ctpete
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Thanks guys. After doing a little more research, I found that the B&R service center is not far from me in Florida.
 
Dan S
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Based on what I've seen of factory service costs, it seems like it will probably cost you at least $700. I have no idea what WatchMaxx is, but assuming they are an online retailer, why wouldn't you use the warranty? It seem like a lot of money to throw away. If you're not happy with their work, I guess you can always choose to repair it at your own expense. But why even pay a premium to buy from a retailer if you're going to accept a watch that's in poor condition, not return it, and not take advantage of the warranty.
 
gbesq
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They’re a grey market seller. Agreed that it’s probably worth checking into, but the quality of the service department - if there IS a service department - is unknown.
 
Dan S
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gbesq gbesq
They’re a grey market seller. Agreed that it’s probably worth checking into, but the quality of the service department - if there IS a service department - is unknown.

I get it, and I don't buy from places like that. But if they don't repair it well, he's no worse off than he is now.
 
gbesq
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Dan S Dan S
I get it, and I don't buy from places like that. But if they don't repair it well, he's no worse off than he is now.
Good point. Nothing to lose, really.
 
ExpiredWatchdog
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Dan S Dan S
But if they don't repair it well, he's no worse off than he is now.

Are you certain of that. I have no direct knowledge but I have heard of other grey disasters (Joma, anyone).
 
Davidt
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What’s the point of buying from a dealer if you aren’t going to make use of the warranty?
 
Evitzee
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Davidt Davidt
What’s the point of buying from a dealer if you aren’t going to make use of the warranty?
PRICE!!!!! The buyer is assuming a new watch will be fine and warranty work won't be needed. Usually it works out ok, the buyer saves a lot of money at the expense of no factory warranty. Sometimes you get a buggy watch, though. So do you trust a grey marketer to fix your shiny new watch under his guarantee, you have no idea who is working on your new, unblemished toy that is not working right.
 
gbesq
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Evitzee Evitzee
PRICE!!!!! The buyer is assuming a new watch will be fine and warranty work won't be needed. Usually it works out ok, the buyer saves a lot of money at the expense of no factory warranty. Sometimes you get a buggy watch, though. So do you trust a grey marketer to fix your shiny new watch under his guarantee, you have no idea who is working on your new, unblemished toy that is not working right.
That was my point as well. If you’re getting a typical grey market discount of 30% off retail on a luxury watch, you can still afford to have a full service performed by the brand’s service center or an authorized repair center and still come out way ahead vs. buying the watch at retail. Why risk having the watch serviced by Kenny, the grey marketer’s nephew who is home from college for the summer and loves to work on all things “mechanical”?
 
Davidt
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Ah ok. I’m normally considering vintage but if you’re saying the watch is cheaper from a grey than a main dealer then I guess that’s different. Presumably it’s not new though as it would still be under manufacturer warranty.
If that’s the case though, why not buy privately? Presumably you get a greater saving still and the solution for any issues is the same?

Still, if I’m buying from a dealer I’d at least be letting them know there’s a problem and see what their suggestions for resolution are. If you think they might send to some dodgy back street watchmaker who doesn’t even use finger condoms then fair enough, but they might offer to split the cost or confirm they use a reputable repairers.
 
Braindrain
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Considering the number of online dealers who have claimed to sell "serviced" watches, only to be proven wrong, I'd be inclined to not trust their <cough> service department <cough>.

NB. I have no direct knowledge of Watchmaxx but have also have heard plenty of stories where the dealer has completely buggered a watch when trying to fix a problem.
 
bsowers34
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I got my Diver 300 and hesalite 3861 from them full sets brand new and the purchase experience was great. And the Seamaster was 4100 all in, and 3861 was 5800 all in, so the warranty risk was negligible. And both are fine after 2.5 years and 1 year.
Edited:
 
Canuck
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The time for the dealer to attend to the problems of a watch that was so seriously deficient was before they sold it! Competent service should be available to you for less than $700.00, I would think. The shop that didn’t fix it before you bought it shouldn’t be trusted to fix it now!
 
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