FAST-FIX JEWELRY AND WATCH REPAIRS BEWARE OF WATCH BATTERY WARRANTY RIP-OFF Thousand Oaks California

I have been having my watch batteries changed here for several years. They offer a "premium" battery warranty for $19.99 which is supposed to be good for up to 5 years. I always pay extra to get that because I have a watch collection and the batteries run down over time. Why not pay a little more and get the "premium" battery?

Well, it turns out that I took a watch in to get the battery replaced after only about 1 year. They did replace it, but told me that the warranty was no longer any good. In other words, if I wanted the new battery to have a warranty I would have to pay extra. 

Went home and searched my records. I found two cards given to me to back up their "Watch Battery Warranty Program". It turns out that I had new batteries put in this same watch two other times. One of the warranty cards was good until 2018 and the other until 2020. That got me thinking!

I went to the store and asked the person on duty to show me the regular battery and the "premium" battery. He said they only sell one battery. I pointed to the sign on the counter that said to ask about our "PREMIUM battery brands". He insisted that all the batteries were the same. Then I asked him how long the batteries he sold were expected to last on average. He said between one and two years. 

Here is the main point: I asked him why anyone would pay extra for a 5-year warranty if they knew they were going to get a basic, ordinary battery that would most likely last no more than 1-2 years? Sure, the store would give them a replacement within the warranty period but, so what? They are still up-selling a cheap battery knowing that some percentage of the customers will come and ask for a replacement. No big deal, because that automatically cancels out the "warranty" and if you want to extend the warranty on the replacement battery you have to fork over another $19.99! 

He immediately had that look on his face that suggested that I had discovered their scam. He also started scrambling by offering me a refund on my last battery and a gift card for a battery change in the future. I told him I was going to complain to corporate (in Florida) and to the BBB. 

The warranty should give you 5 years peace of mind. You should get the battery replaced no matter how many times it runs down within that five year period. But no! They take your money knowing full well that the battery is not likely to go 5 years. That way they get you to come in and buy a new battery. And, you are probably the kind of customer that is going to want to have the assurance of buying a "premium" battery that lasts. 

But it won't! 

By the way, there is nothing in writing that explains the details of the warranty in the store or on the company web site. 

So, please do not fall for this scam. Either pay the lower price for a cheap battery or go somewhere else.