I have a Breitling watch (great watch BTW) which needed a basic service. This service consists of replacing the battery and the gasket, performing a watertight test and a general cleaning of the watch and bracelet. I went to Breitling's website to find the local dealer, which is AGJ. They said they don't do this work in house but send the watch to the Breitling service center in Connecticut (one of eight Breitling authorized service centers in the US). I asked AGJ what they charge for this service and was told $150.00.
I then called one of the other service centers (one about 2000 miles closer to Seattle than CT) and asked for a price quote for the same service. I was quoted $52.00 for the service plus $17.50 return shipping and insurance. Granted, I will have to pay the $17.50 for outbound shipping and insurance and a small fee (estimate less than $10.00) at the UPS Store to have the watch professionally packed, but that brings my total outlay to $97.00. Subtracting the $10.00 packing fee (something AGJ would do), leaves a residual of $87.00.
So, let me see: $150.00 - $87.00 = $63.00 to box the watch? I recognize that AGJ has expenses and is in business to make a profit. I also recognize that having someone else take care of this completely definitely has some value. I would not hesitate to pay a more reasonable fee for this service, but $63.00 to do so little is ridiculous in my book.
Alvin Goldfarb Jewelers: For people with more money than brains.
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