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Tag doesn't stand behind its "older" watches?

2K views 15 replies 12 participants last post by  arogle1stus 
#1 ·
Something very interesting and shocking, to me at least, happened this month with the Tag Heuer company. My father sent his watch (the Black and Gold) in for a simple battery replacement. It was sent through an authorized dealer to the companies facility in New Jersey. After about a week he received a phone call saying that his watch was being returned in the original, unrepaired state that they received it in. When he asked why the representative told him because they don't have the parts for it anymore and if they open it up and discover something is in need of repair they can't fix it. He was then told to take it to a jewelry store and have them do a battery replacement but to note that any work done would not be guaranteed. He then received a letter and a 10% discount on a new Tag purchase in the mail (posted below - the blocked areas are names, addresses and personal info for the discount, no information about the watches repairs was deleted). Needless to say he is not buying a Tag and I won't either. Has anyone had similar issues with Tag (or any watch maker) like this? Is this normal? I assumed a respected and established company like Tag would have a longer guarantee on their products than 25 years. I know this watch was still in production for years after he purchased his about 20 years ago. This "kick rocks" attitude about their product surprised me. Am I shocked for no reason, is this commonplace? Granted I haven't owned a watch for over twenty years yet but even the Seiko outlet in Massachusetts went out of their way to help me with my Tuna that is two decades old and I didn't even buy it from the company. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
 

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#4 ·
I get that. I was just shocked they didn't have replacement (not original) parts they could use for a watch less than 25 years old. To just completely say "we won't touch it" blew me away. I mean a ford dealership will still work on an older model ford and guarantee their work, even if it's not original parts, right?

It's more that the company won't even do a battery change IN CASE there is something wrong that shocked me. I'll have to ask if my dad got any kind of warranty from Tag or see if they even have any type of warranty. What good is a lifetime warranty from them if they do?
 
#7 ·
I work on medical equipment. Some manufacturers destroy their replacement stock after a product is older than 7 - 10. They stop supporting it and take the manuals away from their tech service people.

in some cases, parts become available on the secondary market.
 
#10 ·
Yeah, still pretty standard.

Even with just a battery replacement, they would likely change the case back gaskets which they obviously don't want to keep stocked for older models like that.

They are just covering their own asses in case you get it back and it is all of a suddenly not water resistant anymore, or if they snap off the battery holder while changing it and have no way of replacing it.

Fin a local guy to change the battery. They can likely find new gaskets as well.
 
#11 ·
Daughter owns two Tags..Oldest one bought 8 years ago, quartz, running fine.
Newest one 2 years old and dead. I took it to my watch guy and tested battery.
Battery shown to be fine.
My guy sez its probably a defective capacitor. Another well thot of watchguy sez
Tag doesnt use capacitors in their watches. Who to believe.
Guess we will lateral the problem to Tag Service people.

She likes both Tag Formula Ones..No luv here for Tag. She recieved both as rewards
for her managmental skills..Again in 2015 she was given the choices of a 3rd Tag
or a cruise to the Bahamas..She chose the cruise.

X traindriver Art
 
#12 ·
I am totally disgusted with Tag Heuer. I recently sent in to 70's vintage Heuer Dive watches they were returned with the flimsy excuse about not opening them
Then insulted with a 10% off offer on another watch. We are talking about an object with a 100% markup! I also sent a watch in to Tissot that they could not repair they responded with an offer on a new equivalent watch for $200 exceptional because my old watch was 15 years old.


No More Heuer Ever!
 
#13 ·
This is silly.
Litigation is another reason h don want o mess with a $100 watch...
Tag has authorized dealers, use them.
If the case was 18kt gold then maybe.
I know Baume will replace a battery and similar to Breitling rebuild the Quartz watch as needed. I spent over $300 once just on a battery change. They sent th darn watch to Europe LOL

Cheaper watches may not get the same treatment.
 
#14 ·
I picked up this 1996 model Tag, new in box, never worn from a neighbor who had it on her closet shelve for 20 years, for $200.

Took it to my local Jeweler, he dropped a new battery and gaskets in it for $35 and it runs like a champ. Can't see why most watchmakers can't service your watch, even replace the movement if necessary?


 
#16 ·
turducken:
How bout this?
Daughter owns 2 Tags. Both Formula Ones.
Oldest Tag runninghot, straight and normal.
Latest Tag dropped dead so I took it to shop.
Proprietor sez Not that battery, tests good"
"Maybe the capacitor"? So I go to the best
Tag man I know of a Mr Cook. He tells me 1st
off Tags don't have capacitors.
Evidentally her Tag had fallen and the watch
was not grounded. He goes about doing some
soldering and Voila! Watch runs to nearly new.
Mr Cook charged me $8.00 (less than the cost
of a new battery)

Daughter a happy camper and I'm the hero for a
few days. Cheapest morph to hero. Ever

Lou Snutt
 
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