Service (Partially) Without The Smile

My watch battery had carked it and so required replacing. Spent a bit of time looking around but there are few places these days that offer the service. I guess people don't use watches as much nowadays. Anyway, I thought $28.95 just to replace the battery was a bit much.
The guy took his sweet time to do the job whilst we were waiting and then was quite happy to inform me that the back of the watch had been done up too tightly. Perhaps my explanation that a lady at his shop had done it last time didn't go down too well. He asked me if I knew how to set it, as it is quite complex to do so, and handed it back to me when I assured him that I did. I mentioned that the lady gave me a discount last time because I set it myself. His response?
"I don't do that."
"You can set the watch then," I said.
"I need the instructions," he replied.

Full price but not full service. Not happy.

posted from Bloggeroid

Hard Bargain To Change A Watch Battery

My watch battery died a couple of weeks ago. I hadn't had enough time to take it and have the battery replaced until last Saturday afternoon just before 4:30. Most shops closed at five but this one just happened to have a 4:30 finish scheduled.

I asked the lady in the shop how much to replace the battery. She said it would be $34.95 and I, somewhat shocked, said that it cost $25 only two years ago. "It was $28.95 in January," she responded. Then she kept going on about the need for a pressure test, the watch is water resistant to 100m, but I wasn't interested in paying $75 (plus inflation from eight years ago) for that, which didn't put her in a good mood. I've had no issues with water so the seal must be in good nick. Not having a great deal of choice I accepted her offer.

She set to work and seemed to be struggling. I offered to go shopping for a few minutes and return but she wanted me to wait. Obviously wanting to make a fast getaway. When it came time to set the watch she was bamboozled. "Do you know how to set this watch?" she asked.
"Yes."
"I'll only charge you $28.95 then."

Six dollars for less than six minutes work? So, I got my bargain but had to do some of the work myself. And the watch is slightly more difficult than a video recorder to set so I did myself a favour. Gee, what's it going to cost in two to three years time when the battery needs to be replaced again?