Somewhile back 2/3 years I needed a watch battery for my Seiko watch.
I went into Hill Samuel and it was £6.20 plus £4 fitting . I told them to stuff it or words to that effect. I then went next door to Jessop and got two for £2.
I went back into HS and told them I would never shop in any of their stores again.
Since then I have bought them from Jessops or on line. They have gone up but they are still available for £1.99. but it illustrates the way some firms rip us off. I hate to think what HS would charge today.
i had my watch battery replacement quoted by a high street shop and they quoted £45 and it needed to be sent off for 2 weeks.
i found a cheaper outlet, but not much. apparently it had to be sealed, and even then they "found" something which had broken and this cost £90. i said no.
Modeller yes it's a rip off and thankfully with the internet we now can get advice, tutorials and the materials to do these jobs cheaper by ourselves where before we had to rely on the "Experts" to fill our heads with nonsetical jargo whilst charging us through the nose for minor repairs etc.. I would love to know just how much Harrods would ask to change the same battery and my guess is it would be eye wateringly astronomical!
If the watch has any type of water-resistancy it's usually the seal it needs that puts the price up. Also, depending on the brand, it might affect the manufacturer's guarantee if you get the battery replaced by somewhere other than their dealers.
What make was the battery that was going to be supplied and was it like for like. Were they Lithium batteries, Cell Batteries or button Batteries? Somehow I doubt you even asked the question.
You can buy AA batteries for about 50p for 4. Do you think they are the same as duracell (to name a 'decent' brand).
Have you tried walking into a Rolls Royce showroom and stating that you can buy a new car for £6000 and that they are a rip off.
The little 1.5v lithium batteries were the biggest rip off. About 15 years ago, I was talking to someone who said their computer kept switching date to 1901. I said that's your battery and I offered to have a look and change it. They declined my offer and said they were taking it to Dixons or PC World or whoever. Cut a long story short, they charged him £85 when my local Asian Electric Emporium sold those batteries for £3.
oneeyedvic They were like for like . 1.5V Lithium . Same make same number.
I've been fitting them for years.
I wonder why you should assume //Somehow I doubt you even asked the question. // . Rather an arrogant assumption.
As a matter of fact I had two electrical businesses and at one stage designed digital and analogue clocks. What's your claim to superior knowledge ?
Posts like what Ed ? Its hardly shopping at Tesco's and it ties in with the rising cost of living on the news as well as the shows like Rip Off Britain.
I think the responses speak for themselves.