Don’t do business with West Coast Time

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AaronL

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Jul 26, 2004
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Hi everyone,

I’ve been a regular on this forum for several years now, so I’m not someone who is just trying to stir things up by posting anywhere I can. I know that watches are a big deal with this group, and I wanted to share with you my experience with Howard at WCT.

I have an O & W Pilot’s watch that needed a new mainspring. The local shop wanted $150.00, so I contacted Howard and asked what my option were (he advertises on his website that he carries this watch, hence why I contacted him). He quickly replied back saying that the locals usually farm out the repairs and everyone gets a cut. He said he could do it for no more than $75.00 and it would be a 4 week turnaround. No problem, I shipped the watch to him in early August and left it at that.

Fast forward 4 weeks and I’m wondering where my watch is. I email Howard (after I discovered that the only contact phone on his website is a fax. Clue #1) and asked the status of my watch. He said things were delayed and should be a week. No problem.

A bit later, I contact Howard on the watch. He now tells me he thinks it may be lost, and can I send him a description of the watch? Okay, I do so and after several emails/days he says it’s found and should be fixed any day. Clue #2

3 weeks ago, I contact him ONE MORE TIME and he tells me it’s done, $47.00 plus $10.00 for shipping. I’m a happy camper, I pay him immediately through PayPal.

Just this Monday,, still no watch. I email him, and ask what the status is. He then sends me an email explaining that the local jeweler wanted $150.0 and I need to be patient with him and if I want, he can just send the watch back, UNREPAIRED. WTF? He charged me for the repairs, and has had the watch for TWO MONTHS and now he’s being totally sketchy with his actions. After several heated emails he says I’m not civilized and slandering his good name. Point blank he has yet to answer me yes or no if he still has my watch, why he charged me and if he even fixed it.

I keep asking him why he charged me for fixing my watch and why hasn't he sent it to me. He just keeps tellign me I'm not nice. Heck, he won't reply at all now. :)

Bottom line, something is fishy here, and I don’t want any of you guys to fall prey to him. He markets to our demographic of guys/gals that like military watches, so I’m sure some of you are familiar with his site.

BTW, I’m sending him a link to this thread, so he can understand that you can’t do this to people. There is no confusion here with this guy, he’s had MULTIPLE opportunities to make this right, or simply answer my questions on where the heck my watch is.
 
That is one reason I prefer to do so much business locally. I recently bought a Breitling watch from a local jeweler that my parents have been using for years. He treats his customers very fairly.

The price was good, not what I could have found on the internet, but I find the few extra dollars spent well worth it knowing that I dont have to have problems dealt with long distance and hoping somebody answers email. I can just go talk to him in person.

Your watch may have cost 150, and they may or may not farm it out...either way you would have had a location to go to and check on the repair instead of some guy ignoring you other than to say you are mean.

Saving a few bucks online can many times not be worth it.


I also bought a Seiko from the same jeweler. Later in the evening (same day I bought it) I discovered what I thought to be a problem. I call the guy and he says that it sounds normal, but that I should be comfortable with a new watch and to bring it back for either a refund or exchange for one I feel comfortable with. I exchanged it...problem solved in less than 1 hour...no ignored emails, no chasing people down...just good personal service.

As for now its too late, your watch is there and I truely hope you get this cleared up and get your watch back in good working order.
 
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I pity you. I can't stand people who can't just tell the truth. I don't mind if it takes 3 months to do whatever you need to do but don't go telling me it'll only take a week when you know too well that it won't.

I don't buy watches online nor would i feel comfortable sending it to an individual for repair (unless i know i can drop by his shop). I sent in my Omega for some polishing and dent removal and thought they might as well put in an extra half link for me. Since it was a new model they were having problems with the link supply so it was a bit of a wait but it still arrived earlier than they quoted. And they didn't even charge me for the extra link.
 
File a theft report with the local police there. Let him sort it out with them.
 
I would be very upset, as you rightly are, and would follow through with DaveH's suggestion. The several "heated" emails probably did not help, but it is understandable.

I hate to say this, but the fastest way to get your watch and money back may be to apologize to Howard for being angry and ask nicely.
 
cmd said:
I would be very upset, as you rightly are, and would follow through with DaveH's suggestion. The several "heated" emails probably did not help, but it is understandable.

I hate to say this, but the fastest way to get your watch and money back may be to apologize to Howard for being angry and ask nicely.
Click to expand...

Apologize??? And ask nicely??? Not in this lifetime! Howard Marx has been given the utmost benefit of the doubt and patience shown by more than a few of the customers he has screwed over the years! He still has yet to conclude a business transaction with myself that has been ongoing for more than a year now. It would have been a quick fix- simple solution for him. But he has not cooperated in the slightest all this time. If I were in his neck of the woods, I would have paid him a personal visit to resolve ALL matters once and for all.

Any of the members who have been here since from the begininng will know that I rarely post here on the G, B and U on such matters. But it makes my blood boil whenever I hear of Howard Marxs' name. To make matters worse, in my opinion and experience, are those in the same business (watchmakers) who associate themselves with Howard Marx and his West Coast Time company and at the same time knowing what he has done to his customers. Whether on their website, from other watch forums and/ or other related knife/ gadget forums, it casts a negative light on them and in the industry itself. This is especially true if they have not made any attempts at communicating with Howard on such matters. And to try to help resolve pending problems. I have no knowledge of any such attempts.

Not too long ago, he had the nerve to register and offer his products/ services to members of a popular knife community forum. The same forum with members who stated that he screwed them over!!! :eek: He was appropriately banned after that first post. :thumbup: Where does this guy come from??? :barf: :barf: :barf: :barf: :barf: :barf: :barf: :barf:

N.
 
Sent by mail? Contact U.S. Postal Inspectors re possible mail fraud - a federal felony with a very stiff semtence.
 
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