Tissot T-Touch - Value question

[Civpilot]

Right, here's the thing, a guy I work with has a full titanium T-touch that has failed to operate (works fine for a while then resets itself, stops working, then starts again etc). He's finally had enough as the watch was returned to him less than 2 months ago after being 'repaired' by Tissot for exactly the same problem (this 'repair' took 3 months in itself).

He has now made me aware that he can't be bothered to get it fixed again and has offered me the watch but has no clue what ask (if anything) in payment, currently it's a case of a "make me an offer, you can't insult me" situation. The watch is within warrenty but he has misplaced the warrenty card at the moment so any repair might have to come out of my pocket should I take up his offer.

Visual condition wise the case and strap are pretty scratched but I'm sure that this will polish out with some sweat (and the right compounds) and he has all the papers (apart from the blasted warrenty card). When he bought the watch he managed a heavy discount and paid around £200.

So the question is two fold:-
What do people here think I should offer him to relieve him of posession of said (currently scratched & dead) watch? (I do get on with the guy so don't want to rip him off too badly )
&
Is there a way that Tissot will know the watch is within warrenty without the need for a warrenty card?

[Dominic H]

Civpilot said:

Right, here's the thing, a guy I work with has a full titanium T-touch that has failed to operate (works fine for a while then resets itself, stops working, then starts again etc). He's finally had enough as the watch was returned to him less than 2 months ago after being 'repaired' by Tissot for exactly the same problem (this 'repair' took 3 months in itself).

He has now made me aware that he can't be bothered to get it fixed again and has offered me the watch but has no clue what ask (if anything) in payment, currently it's a case of a "make me an offer, you can't insult me" situation. The watch is within warrenty but he has misplaced the warrenty card at the moment so any repair might have to come out of my pocket should I take up his offer.

Visual condition wise the case and strap are pretty scratched but I'm sure that this will polish out with some sweat (and the right compounds) and he has all the papers (apart from the blasted warrenty card). When he bought the watch he managed a heavy discount and paid around £200.

So the question is two fold:-
What do people here think I should offer him to relieve him of posession of said (currently scratched & dead) watch? (I do get on with the guy so don't want to rip him off too badly )
&
Is there a way that Tissot will know the watch is within warrenty without the need for a warrenty card?

Right, with regard to the warranty of the service. This should be listed by case number with the service centre at Swatch UK in Eastliegh Hants. The absence of the card shouldn't matter especially when there is a QC issue, a call to the service centre manager might help. I recently returned a couple of Tags for warranty work, called LVMH spoke (nicely) to the servcie staff and the job was turned around in 10 days.
Once it's fixed and working, what's it worth? About 25-30% of retail, so about £50-£60. Does tghat sound fair?

Hope this helps...Dominic

[Civpilot]

thank you

[Gooby]

I have exactly the same watch and the same issue. My warranty was supplied in the emirates where I purchased the watch. Great watch when working. Has anyone got the address for repairs?

[Dominic H]

Gooby, the warranty (if in date) should be international.
The address and contact details are;

Telephone [phone] This a UK number.

or write to

Service Dept.
The Swatch Group Ltd
112 Southampton Rd
Eastleigh
Hampshire
SO50 5PB

[Gooby]

Dominic H said:

good stuff...

Thanks

[Barreti]

Civpilot,

Get the watch offering just a few quid because it is knackered after all.
One bit of bad news is that just the titanium clasp - that's the clasp not the rest of the bracelet - is approx £70 to replace.

But, if you can get it repaired you'll own what I think is the best every day watch you could own. I have the rubber strap titanium bodied version and wear it every day and wouldn't be without it. I already have a spare strap just in case I damage the one on it now because I couldn't bear to be without it.

[Civpilot]

Barreti said:

Civpilot,

Get the watch offering just a few quid because it is knackered after all.
One bit of bad news is that just the titanium clasp - that's the clasp not the rest of the bracelet - is approx £70 to replace.

But, if you can get it repaired you'll own what I think is the best every day watch you could own. I have the rubber strap titanium bodied version and wear it every day and wouldn't be without it. I already have a spare strap just in case I damage the one on it now because I couldn't bear to be without it.

Well the guy is a mate so the deal is done pending the warranty being valid, slightly less than the above figures but happy to pay that as he has full documentation of the repair that only took place less than 2 months ago and is sure the warranty runs until Jan or Feb next year. If the warranty has expired I will ask them openly how long they warranty thier own repair work. I like a customer services challenge so will use this info to gently push for an expidited full repair or total replacement.

As for it being the best day to day, I know of 3, this one that has just failed for the second time, one of my project engineers who has owned one for less than 8 months and is already on his first replacment and another mate who bought one on the rubber strap when they first came out who has never had an issue. Mind you, he is like me and has a cabinet full of watches so his does not get worn day to day.
Reading around different forums and web blogs the T-touch seems to be a huge issue for Tissot as you either get a total gem that will last a life time or a absolute Lemon, no middle ground. I've read many posts by owners who are on their 7th or 8th repair. I hardly think that sort of reputation is indicative of a real good everyday watch. You obviously have one of the "gems" so enjoy it, but do a read around, you do seem to be in the minority according to the interweb.

Looking forward to the challenge.

[Barreti]

Ruddy hell, I'm so surprised at the failures of this watch. And so chuffed that I got one of the early titanium ones (black strap, black face, no numbers just boxes at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 & 12 instead).
I hope you get your new 'gadget' sorted out and are half as pleased with it as I have been over the 4 years I've owned mine

[Civpilot]

The watch has already been sent off by recorded delivery.

I discussed the situation at length over the phone with a lovely young lady and she has agreed (actually she offered) to expedite the watch through repair to get it to the front of the line as apparently they currently have a back log of T-touch repairs (surprised she admitted it) and the turn around time is quite large.
I was also told that it might be an idea to replace the watch totally considering it failed less than 3 months after a repair carried out by them. I was asked to put all of the conversation in a letter and send it for her attention, and include the comment that replacement would be preferable from a customer point of view. This letter would then be logged on the system and the request formally put through thier system.

Now its the waiting game I guess, still it's all covered under warranty so not worried too much, but would be nice if they did replace it.

[Dominic H]

So CV, how much do you think you should pay your friend for a new T-Touch?

[Civpilot]

I have already told him that should they replace it with brand new he is welcome to buy it back for exactly what I paid him (ie. I'm happy to return it for a refund). However he has stated quite clearly that he doesn't want it back and should I manage a replacement then fair play to me.

[Dominic H]

Civpilot said:

I have already told him that should they replace it with brand new he is welcome to buy it back for exactly what I paid him (ie. I'm happy to return it for a refund). However he has stated quite clearly that he doesn't want it back and should I manage a replacement then fair play to me.

You've very clearly done him a huge favour...

[Civpilot]

Little update.

Received a call yesterday from the nice young lady at Swatch I've been dealing with to let me know she had received the watch on Monday and she would attempt to expedite it through the system as quickly as possible. I was told it would be "a couple of weeks maximum" (not the 3 month turnaround they currently have as average).

Received another call today to tell me the watch has had all it's internals and crystal replaced with new, has passed testing and is being sent out today so I should receive it tomorrow of Friday.

I wonder if that sets any repair time turnaround records

Ps. I used the Oldham service center as thats where he sent it last time.

Edited by Civpilot on Wednesday 17th October 14:43

[Dominic H]

See, you ask nicely.........

[chrisxr2]

Civpilot, where did he go to get one for only £200??

[Civpilot]

chrisxr2 said:

Civpilot, where did he go to get one for only £200??

I sent him a text yesterday and the reply I got was...

"A shop in the Center (London) that was closing down. Last one they had and I haggled hard as it was their last day of trading"

So there you go. Not sure where he got it but when I sent it back to be repaired Tissot were quite happy it was legit and did the work as normal.

[chrisxr2]

Thanks, i guess he just got lucky, or not as the case may be.

[Barreti]

And how have you got on with it then civpilot?
Has it proved reliable?

[Civpilot]

Barreti said:

And how have you got on with it then civpilot?
Has it proved reliable?

Hasn't missed a beat since i got it back. Great watch