Complaint Review: Fast Fix Jewlers

I have had similar bad experiences with Fast Fix repairs.

The major issue I have been dealing with is with a Baume Mercier watch that required a new battery. In 2009, I had the battery replaced (with a 3 year warranty) at fast fix for a cost of $89.00 because of the category of repair listed for the watch. I wore the watch for 2 weeks when I took a business trip. When I tried to set the watch to the local time, I discovered the stem had been broken. I went back to fast fix and was charged $191.00 to repair the stem.

A few weeks later, when I tried to set the time again, I discovered that I could not pull the stem out. This time, I went back to fast fix and was told a "support ring" in side the watch was missing and they did the repair at no cost. Now, in 2012, just a few weeks outside of the 3 year warranty period for the battery. I went back to fast fix for a new battery. Again, I was charged $89.00. I am OK with that since I was out of the warrantly period. Again, the week I picked up the watch I had a business trip. And again, the stem was broken.

I went back to fast fix where they said the watch is complex and the stems break easily. I left the watch with fast fix for three weeks when I received a call saying the watch repair could not be done at that franchise and I could go to another franchise store. When I went to that franchise store, I again was charged $189.00 for the stem repair. I picked up the watch. A week later when I tried to set the time, I discovered the repair had not been done. I now need to travel over 40 miles to go back to the store to try to get the watch fixed.

My question is, why am I charged $89.00 for a battery. I assumed it was because if the jeweler makes a mistake while changing the battery, it results in costly expenses to correct. Yet in every case where I had the battery replaced, I was charged an additional $189.00 for a stem repair.

Either the watch is too difficult to change a battery by a non-certified Baume Mercier jeweler. Or, the jewelers at fast fix are not competent to replace the battery in this type of watch.  When I try to track down an email address for fast fix complaints, none is available. This is a major flaw for a franchise.

The bottom line is:

Both times, the stem was functioning when I took the watch in to fast fix. Both times, the stem was broken when I picked it up. I welcome any remarks (especially if they come from a fast fix operations manager).