Fast-Fix Jewelry & Watch Repairs

Reviews 3

A

A Private User

I took one new watch in here that I ordered online to have it resized, and two others to have batteries replaced. The day before I had been to Ben Bridge downtown, but they couldnt get to it that evening (I got there late), and I thought their (Ben Bridges) prices for removing a few links ($15) and a battery in my other watch ($25) were more than I expected (although not surprising at a high end jeweler right next to Pioneer Square), so I decided I would try somewhere else the next day. The prices I was quoted at Fast Fix were even higher, but I figured I didnt feel like running around, so I left the one watch for resizing ($17) and two for batteries ($30/each) despite my reticence at what I thought were really high prices, and went to grab some lunch. I returned, and as it turns out, the one watch that was being resized seemed to be either too large or too small. There was no in-between because of the size of the links. I left unhappy, wearing a watch that was way too tight, with two watches having new batteries, neither of which had the time set because they couldnt have figured them out-at least one of them, which I told them not to even try--because it was a very complicated watch. So, I paid $77 to have a watch that didnt fit me, and two batteries put in watches that had the incorrect time on them when they were handed back to me. (I heard quotes to other customers for less for their batteries. I wondered why mine were so expensive.) A few minutes after I left, searching around the mall for a solution for my too-tight watch, a kind woman at Helzbergs told me that the best watch fixer in the mall was at Sears--"Go see Bardi. Youll love her." I found myself at the Sears watch repair department with a smiling Badri. I asked her what she charged for the same work. It was half. I then felt ripped off at Fast Fix, and went back, and told them that Sears would have charged me half as much for all this work, and that it was in fact my choice to pay their prices, but I was unhappy about it. I mentioned writing this review on a few sites. The explanation I was given was that they pay their employees $20 an hour, and are professionals, and that Sears and other places pay their employees $6 an hour (turned out that this wasnt the case at Sears, since Badri had rented the space from Sears for 20 years--she was her own boss). Further, they said they get a lot of watches that other places scratch and damage. I wondered if they could possibly know how many watches other places get that they might not have done great work on. I explained that I understand needing a real pro to fix an expensive watch, but we were talking about removing links, which takes less than a minute, and two watch batteries. After a stupid argument, in which one of the watchmakers tried to tell me he remembered the days when gas was 30 cents a gallon (to which I said I dont remember that far, but I didnt have to work hard to remember FIVE MINUTES AGO when someone told me I would have been charged HALF for this same work), they gave me my $17 back for the watch resizing, but held firm on the $60 for batteries in the two watches. (I hinted that it was too expensive, but they ignored me.) Went back to Sears, and Badri offered to put one link back in, and suggested I try wearing the watch a bit further back on my wrist toward my elbow. THAT WORKED! No one at Fast Fix had suggested this FAST FIX. (The pros, remember.) Badri did the work with a smile for nothing, and said "next time you need work, please come back here." I will. I think this is a fair explanation of my experience. You can make your own judgment based on this, and the listing of three watch repair business prices here for a battery and link removal. If youre going to charge what you charge, you should be OK with these prices being available to people before they walk in your store.

JA

Jason Tucker

Fast Fix in Washington Square stands behind their work and have made a customer for life. Ask for Damian if you are having any service performed on your watch...he is the one you want to perform the work on your watch and here is why: I took a $330 dive watch to Fast Fix in Washington Square for a battery replacement. I had the watch for two weeks, but bought it used in brand new condition, still covered in plastic film, from someone who collected the watch, but never wore it. As a result, I was unsure how much time was left on the battery and just wanted to get it taken care before it became an issue. I purchased the lifetime battery warranty and a NATO strap. The installation was done in a timely manner, and everyone was pleasant to deal with. Unfortunately, the individual who performed the work on my watch lacked the strength and dexterity to properly remove the 200m screw down case back from the watch, and slipped and mangled the case back. Metal was bent, massive scratches were put on the case back and part of the watch case itself. Originally, I was offered a refinish, but was not pleased with that. I objected as the finish itself requires a blasting, meaning that metal was going to be removed from my new watch. Damian understood my concerns, admitted that this would have bothered him as well, and took ownership of the other employees mistake. He tried to secure parts for repair but was unable to do so. This particular watch is imported from the UK, making it hard to source parts. As a result of being unable to secure parts, Damian decided to replace the watch and transfer my warranty to the new unit. While I understand mistakes happen, when they do, you have to own up to them. The employee who did the damage nervously handed me the watch when I went to pick it up. I got a weird feeling so I made sure to look it over before leaving. I am the one who noticed the damage. Had she been honest and admitted to the mistake, combined with the other excellent service I received, this would have been a 5 star review. Damian took ownership, but it was only after the other employee failed to do so. I plan to bring my Victorinox Alliance Automatic to the Washington Square Fast Fix when it is in need of service. They really have gained a customer for life. I believe it is rare in this day and age to find a company that will stand behind their product or service when you call them out on their shortcomings. Fast Fix in Washington Square will own their mistakes when you bring them to their attention, making them a rare gem to deal with as far as I am concerned.

SP

Splinter Wrenn

Over the past fifteen years, or so, I have had several items repaired or resized at Fast-Fix. The service an the work have always been excellent at prices that are very reasonable. This time it is to have a clasp replaced on an expensive and unique titanium bracelet that was an anniversary present from my wife several years ago. The spring closure for the very distinctive clasp has died and no longer stays closed. The woman spent time finding a couple of options for replacing the clasp that will not look at all out of place with the bracelet. On other occasions I have presented them with equally quirky problems on watchbands, bracelets, rings and other jewelry belonging to both my wife and myself. They have always come through with just the right solution for the problem; and always with a real sense of making the right fix, not necessarily the most expensive. Fast-fix is my go-to first choice when I need help with any kind of jewelry or watch repair.