Buying expensive watches is supposed to be fun. At the very least, easy. Somehow, Westime botched even that.
The positive: they've got a remarkable selection and the new location is gleaming and enormous. So I totally understand why my wife went there when she wanted to surprise me with something special. They had the watch she (and I) wanted in stock. So I guess that's good, too.
That's where the good stuff ends.
I'm told Ann was difficult during the purchasing process. But in all honesty, I wasn't there to see it so shouldn't comment. I believe it, though, because I experience Ann firsthand when there was an issue with the watch two weeks after purchase. She GRUDGINGLY accepted the return for repair, and then we literally never heard from her again.
We'd call every couple of months. She'd groan and tell us to "be patient." She didn't respond to emails, didn't return phone calls. We had to sorta' accidentally catch her, just to confirm there was no update this month. I finally began corresponding directly with the manufacturer in Italy. They were great, actually. They confirmed receipt, stayed in contact, alerted us (many months later) when the repair was complete.
It's baffling to me that Westime dropped the ball. They sell luxury watches -- customer service is supposed to be in their DNA. It isn't. All in all, I'm finally pleased with watch. But getting here was a nightmare and that's insane given the cost.
And one more thing.
Along the way, I asked Ann if she could order some additional straps for the watch in question. They're leather, available only from manufacturer, $100 a piece. Easy. She told me there were three colors available. I said I'd take one of each.
After watch was finally returned and on my wrist, I swung by to pay for and pick up the three straps. Ann brought out four options, three good colors and one that exactly matched the existing strap. No need for that one, and hadn't ordered a fourth.
Me: Okay, I'll take these three. Thanks.
Ann: But there are four.
Me: Yep. But I only ordered three. So...
Ann: If you don't take the fourth, I'll have to send it back to Italy. And I don't want to do that.
Me: Yeah, I just don't need it.
Ann: But they sent four. I'm really going to need you to buy it.
Me: ?
Yeah, I just puzzled on that one for a bit. I finally said some version of: "I hear you, but I don't want it. Please write me up for the three straps I ordered. You're making me uncomfortable."
She grudgingly agreed (which I suspect is a sentence people write a lot about this particular salesperson and this particular store). Then she wrote a bill for almost $500. Seemed high, so I asked for an explanation.
Ann: Well, it's the price of the straps plus tax.
Me: That seems off somehow. They're $100 each. So, like, more like $350. Right?
Ann: Oh, my mistake. I charged you for four.
Grrrrrrrrr.
It just felt sneaky. And weird. And, yeah, we're just talking about a hundred bucks and what's the big deal. But my wife had just dropped $10K on a watch and here I was having a miserable time. That's ultimately the thing that ruins Westime for me. Buying a watch (and I realize my 10K is still a pretty cheap watch for them, but still...) is supposed to be fun.
Westime isn't. read more