Old Father Time, LLC.

Review: Note: This company is currently located in Powell's Point, NC. After seeing on their website that OFT offers [redacted] service and parts for sale, I contacted them via email about a watch crystal. In a reply email message an OFT employee named Barbara stated that they had the needed part in stock. When I replied to her email for a price quote, she replied that they had this part, but that it was / is ONLY AVAILABLE FOR INSTALLATION. This is not mentioned on their website and it appears to be some sort of "bait and switch" issue and / or not honoring their own advertised policy. I have copies of the emails mentioned available for consideration.Desired Settlement: I request that OFT either sell me the requested part at a reasonable price or that they state ON THEIR WEBSITE that parts are ONLY AVAILABLE IF INSTALLED BY OFT.

Business

Response:

Mr. [redacted] sent his antique watch to us in January, 2015 for repair. We sent his estimate inclusive of a vintage, limited availability, antique crystal which the watch needed. Only that one specific crystal will fit his watch and unfortunately, it’s not in current (modern) production, so a 50-year-old crystal (vintage) was quoted. He replied that he did NOT want the watch repaired, and we promptly returned his watch to him. Six months later, on June 6, 2015, Mr. [redacted] emailed, asking that we sell him this rare, vintage crystal outright, without repair to his watch. I explained in reply emails (2) that we are not able to sell antique crystals -- that only the MODERN crystals are offered for retail sale. All antique crystals, as well as ALL OTHER ANTIQUE AND VINTAGE WATCH PARTS, ARE NOT sold retail, but are used in the repair and restoration of our customer’s watches. There was definitely NO bait and switch. In fact, that accusation is ludicrous. This is the same exact crystal we offered to install on his watch in our repair estimate, but he declined to have this done. He knew perfectly well that what he was asking for in his email, could not be sold, he just didn’t like the answer. The original repair estimate sent to him in January explained all this fully: Item# XASP7-NOS = Unfortunately, this particular crystal is not currently being remanufactured by [redacted] so we'll need to use a vintage crystal. Genuine [redacted] parts--correct for this purpose. Specialty crystal with the appropriate Spaceview markings. As a professional business, we choose NOT to sell (retail), any antique parts that could later be used in our own customer’s repairs. That’s my professional privilege. Please reply to let me know that you received this. Best Regards,[redacted], OWNEROld Father Time, Inc116-C Ballast Rock RdPowells Point, NC 27966toll-free: 1 (800) 383-4992fax: 1 (800) 783-4177email: [email protected] the web: http://www.oldfathertime.com

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the offer and/or response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

The fact that I had the watch serviced by another [redacted] Certified Technician (for 60% less than OFT quoted me for the same services) has no relevance in this issue. The OFT website stated that they SELL Accutron parts. There is no disclaimer about the parts being "rare" or having to be "installed". I do find it refreshing that OFT states outright that they refused to sell the part (as their website offers) and decided to "hold it hostage" to charge the installation fee. Below is a cut & paste of a page from their website as of today..Accutron Crystals, Accutron & AccuCell Batteries,Accutron Gaskets, ToolsSorry about the repeated use of the word Accutron but it's the only way to place with the search engines.)ACCUTRON PARTS FOR 214 & 218 MODELS(Also check out the Accutron Bands page)It appears to be an offer to sell parts for my [redacted] Watch. I could be mistaken. Thank You / [redacted]

Regards,

Mark [redacted]