What would the BB do? Product Replacement

[janey99]

I'm curious as to whether Budget Boarders would accept this resolution, keep pushing, or just go to a different item.

Last year in July I purchased this watch -

http://www.luxurydiscountstore.com/t72881.html

to wear to Disney and on weekends as a casual watch (to the pool, etc). It is water resistant. I paid 22$. By February, the band was losing its shape/elasticity and was stinky with a mildew/generally yucky smell.

I wrote Timex (this morning) to see if I could obtain a replacement band because my 10 month old watch band was rotting and stinky. They wrote back that I could purchase a replacement band for 14$ plus tax and S&H. I wrote back to clarify that I would like to obtain a new watch band at no cost because I would think it had some type of warranty, or in any case, under a standard of what is reasonable, a water resistant watch should have a band that could actually withstand going in the water and last more than 10 months (although it really only lasted 6 months since it was gross by Feb). They wrote back and said they would still sell me a replacement, but for 5$ with free S&H. I haven't replied yet.

What say you all - take the 5$ offer, keep pushing for totally free, or just get a new water resistant kids watch because of their annoying response?

Jane

PS - yes, I know it is 22$ for Pete's sake, but they've aggravated me!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

That is a very cheap watch with a very cheap band. I'm surprised the band held up as long as it did. Timex's one year warranty is for the watch itself, not the band. I think Timex's offer was extremely generous. Take it, or just buy a decent watch instead.

You know, you could have washed the band when it started to smell!

 

[pixiewings71]

I would take the $5 offer.

 

[janey99]

That is a very cheap watch with a very cheap band. I'm surprised the band held up as long as it did. Timex's one year warranty is for the watch itself, not the band. I think Timex's offer was extremely generous. Take it, or just buy a decent watch instead.

You know, you could have washed the band when it started to smell!

Thanks for your reply!

Actually, I did wash the band in cold water in my little lingerie bag with some other cold water items in the washing machine. It didn't help.

You might be right about the warranty. However, this is billed as a water resistant child's watch. It's fair to say I treated it better than the average 7 yo. I certainly would not recommend this watch to anyone buying a cute watch for a kid (even though it is cute) because it didn't stand up for even a year AND Timex is not really being THAT customer friendly.

YMMV!

 

[Eljay]

The watch is cute and the matching strap really makes it.
I would take the $5 deal and just keep the watch dry from now on.

 

[momto2inKC]

Since you really like the watch, i'd take them up on the $5 deal they're giving you. Like a PP mentioned, i'd probably try to keep it dry though from now on so it lasts longer.

 

[janey99]

Thanks all!

I'm torn - it is cute, and it would be nice to have a fresh band so it's "complete,"
(an argument for going with their 5$ offer (and keeping it perfectly dry in future)). OTOH, I still have a Swatch my father got me the year they were launched in Switzerland, and as of 2 years ago (when I put a battery in it for DS), it still worked! Same is true of a FlikFlak watch I bought for DS 8 years ago (which also has a cloth band that is in great shape). There ARE inexpensive water resistant kid watches out there that are high quality and last. (an argument for just getting a similarly cute Swatch that I know I can wear through anything).

Now I have a decision to preoccupy myself with when I go running tonight!

 

[LJSquishy]

As someone else mentioned, the warranty is for the working part of the watch and not for the band. I feel that Timex is being 100% fair and generous in offering you a $5 replacement band since they have no legal obligation to accomodate you. And, even though it is slightly annoying, the "water-resistant" claim is also for the watch itself and not specifically for the band. I have never owned a watch that I wore in water...if you truly want a watch that can be worn in wet conditions, whether it be running through a sprinkler, dipping your hands in a sink full of water, or swimming, you need to get a waterproof watch. I'm thinking the pool water you had it in, along with natural sweat, etc, was what made it gross and stinky. And, the chemicals in the pool may have caused it to start deteriorating (like the elastic, making it not stretchy).

 

[LilyWDW]

It is water resistant, not water proof.

The warranty is on the watch itself (the working parts), not the band.

They are being very nice in allowing you a discount on a new band. They could require you pay full price plus shipping, but they are not. They don't HAVE to give you anything. Take the deal.

 

[hsmamato2]

wet watchband= damp mildewy smells..... common sense. My ds has a watch he wore in the shower,swimming,etc just because he could....NOT a good plan,he never fully dried it out,and it got icky. I bought a replacement band,,and he lets it dry now.
I think Timex is more than generous by offering anything, so take the offer......

 

[hsmamato2]

oh man, now that I looked at the actual watch...c'mon now! it's not Timex's fault the band got wet by you,and you didn't dry it properly....I think they're being very good to you! I just got one of these, for that band,BTW, I put it on my Mickey watch....love that band! (I found mine at a thrift store)

 

[englishteacha]

Take them up on the $5 offer. It's a bargain. I have a classy Mickey watch I wear every day. A new band for it is $14 at Walmart, a new battery is $6+. Bands wear out. They get funky. My DH usually gets a new band annually. He has a Timex athletic watch with velcro and it gets funky smelling and the velcro doesn't hold as well. He doesn't wear it in the water, either. He just wears it all the time, and it gets gross.

For future, you can wash them in the sink with hot soapy water. You can also spray them with lysol. Been there, done that.

 

[mjkacmom]

I have a $300 Gucci watch (somewhere - who needs a watch now that we have cellphones), and I know I had to pay to replace the leather band twice for wear, and trust me, it wasn't $5! And only a Gucci band would fit. I switched over to a Coach, metal.

 

[riley2008]

My boys had that watch. Never a problem with the band - as a matter of fact I just tossed one watch as the clock quit working, even after a battery was replaced. The band was in great shape. I did wash the band a couple of times in a mesh bag in the wash. Maybe I should have listed the band on eBay. It's just elastic - you could probably get the right type (not similar color or style) elastic at a fabric store.

Honestly though, I think we paid $9 each on sale for the watches at Target. Save your $5 and add more $$ to buy a Swatch watch - waterproof and perfect for water, bathing, washing dishes, etc. You can order one for about $45 - last forever, bands only two to three years with continual wear.

 

[riley2008]

Thanks all!

I'm torn - it is cute, and it would be nice to have a fresh band so it's "complete,"
(an argument for going with their 5$ offer (and keeping it perfectly dry in future)). OTOH, I still have a Swatch my father got me the year they were launched in Switzerland, and as of 2 years ago (when I put a battery in it for DS), it still worked! Same is true of a FlikFlak watch I bought for DS 8 years ago (which also has a cloth band that is in great shape). There ARE inexpensive water resistant kid watches out there that are high quality and last. (an argument for just getting a similarly cute Swatch that I know I can wear through anything).

Now I have a decision to preoccupy myself with when I go running tonight!

I didn't realize you already noted this. I LOVE Swatch watches from their waterproof qualities, bright fun styles, quality, and uniqueness. Toss the cheapo and buy another Swatch. (wait...I already said that)

 

[Swimalie]

I didn't realize you already noted this. I LOVE Swatch watches from their waterproof qualities, bright fun styles, quality, and uniqueness. Toss the cheapo and buy another Swatch. (wait...I already said that)

I agree. I was a lifeguard when they first came out. They held up better in the sun and in the pool than the Timex Ironman watch I have which I wore in the pool during workouts for about 6 months. I also have a 1996 Olympic Games Swatch that won't come out of the case. Only volunteers could buy them after the games.