Avoid Ralph at All Costs - Incompetent and Dishonest…read more
I'm writing this from the courthouse where I've just filed a lawsuit against Ralph. That alone should tell you everything you need to know.
I brought my father's watch to Ralph for a simple gasket replacement. It's a diving watch he wore while serving in the military, and I'm heading to Ukraine to serve myself--I wanted to wear the watch in his honor. I chose Ralph because of the many glowing reviews online. Big mistake.
The first red flag was the overwhelming smell of marijuana in his shop. I dismissed it at the time, thinking maybe it helped him focus on delicate work. I couldn't have been more wrong.
When I first brought the watch in, it was functioning well--just running about a minute slow each day. All I asked was for Ralph to replace two gaskets. We agreed on $200, which was all I could afford as I won't be working for the next six months during service in Ukraine. For such a basic job, it was a fair price.
A day later, I called to ask if he could look into the cost of a new crystal. After not hearing back for a couple of days, I followed up--only to be told he had already replaced the crystal for $150 without my consent. When I told him I wouldn't have agreed to that, he flew into a rage, yelling about how he wasn't making enough on the job. It became clear to me he may have serious issues, possibly substance-related.
When I finally went to pick up the watch, the bezel no longer turned. Ralph claimed I had damaged it myself, which I hadn't. Then I noticed the self-winding mechanism wasn't working. He insisted it was fine, despite clear evidence to the contrary. It was rubbing against the back plate. I stormed out taking my watch, but later returned, hoping he would take responsibility. After more yelling and resistance, he begrudgingly agreed to take another look.
Weeks passed. My departure date for Ukraine got closer. Today, 2 days day before I leave, Ralph texts to say the watch is ready. I go in--and unbelievably, it's in worse condition than before. The winding mechanism is not working as it should. The bezel now turns, but it could easily be roomed with a thumbnail. I walked out refusing to pay. This time, he followed me outside, becoming aggressive. I told him I would see him in court.
Later that day, I went to another, far more competent watch repair professional. He opened the case and immediately found the issue: the movement wasn't seated properly, and the retaining ring was missing. I know that was there when I gave it to him because I open the watch myself to see what gaskets were needed. Without it, the entire mechanism is unstable. If a replacement can be found, the watch might be salvageable. But it's an older model, and chances are slim.
This isn't just a watch--it's a deeply sentimental piece of my family's history. And it's also quite valuable.
Ralph, if you're reading this: You know exactly what happened. That retaining ring didn't vanish on its own. It's either still in your shop or you carelessly threw it away. I don't forget things like this, and I'm not letting it go. Ever.
To anyone considering trusting him with something valuable: Don't. The reviews are misleading. My experience was a disaster, and now I'm left with a broken watch and a legal battle just days before leaving.
Also, take a moment to read the negative reviews--those are the accurate ones. Many people have had experiences similar to mine. And look at his responses: full of excuses, never accountability. He clearly lacks the ability to take personal responsibility. Pathetic.
Take a look at the photo I've attached. You can see at nine and 10 o'clock the space between the watch face and the case itself.
