Omega boutique LOL

[Oat Willy]

Just bought a speedy at the Bellevue WA boutique a couple weeks back. Bought an aftermarket strap for it and took it into the boutique to have them swap the strap. The chick told me they wouldn't do it. Said they'd only do it if it were an Omega strap! I reminded her I bought the watch there. She still said no

[texasmade]

Originally Posted by Oat Willy

Just bought a speedy at the Bellevue WA boutique a couple weeks back. Bought an aftermarket strap for it and took it into the boutique to have them swap the strap. The chick told me they wouldn't do it. Said they'd only do it if it were an Omega strap! I reminded her I bought the watch there. She still said no

Actually pretty standard. They don't want to take the risk of messing up your strap and being on the hook for it. If it was an Omega strap that gets messed up, then they can easily get a replacement.

[kopi-c]

Originally Posted by Oat Willy

Just bought a speedy at the Bellevue WA boutique a couple weeks back. Bought an aftermarket strap for it and took it into the boutique to have them swap the strap. The chick told me they wouldn't do it. Said they'd only do it if it were an Omega strap! I reminded her I bought the watch there. She still said no

Who installed your after market strap, and just go back to the place whom helped you previously.

I guess it is Omega store policy but there is a reason why they will not touch it if isn't orginal.

[AEC]

Originally Posted by Oat Willy

Just bought a speedy at the Bellevue WA boutique a couple weeks back. Bought an aftermarket strap for it and took it into the boutique to have them swap the strap. The chick told me they wouldn't do it. Said they'd only do it if it were an Omega strap! I reminded her I bought the watch there. She still said no

Dude, get a decent springbar tool and install your strap. It would have taken the same amount of time you spent posting shade here.

[chris242]

That’s the industry norm


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[brandrea]

The “chick” at the Rolex boutique would tell you the same

[1William]

I get it.

[FloydRedford]

I’ve bought many straps/bracelets/buckles at this boutique. All the staff have been great, no attitude, very helpful. With that said, it doesn’t surprise me at all that they wouldn’t put an aftermarket (non-Omega) strap on your new moonwatch for reasons mentioned above.


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[JTL31]

Originally Posted by brandrea

The “chick” at the Rolex boutique would tell you the same

I absolutely hate this term! But then again, I am a female (not a Broad or Bimbo either)!
Admittedly, I was taken aback by the Rolex “fat lady”. Why? Just. Why.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by JTL31

I absolutely hate this term! But then again, I am a female (not a Broad or Bimbo either)!
Admittedly, I was taken aback by the Rolex “fat lady”. Why? Just. Why.

I've never cared much for any of them my friend

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[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by AEC

Dude, get a decent springbar tool and install your strap. It would have taken the same amount of time you spent posting shade here.

What HE said! I size all my own bracelets, and change out my own straps, rather than trust anyone else to do it, including folks at Omega, or Rolex. I don’t even let them size the bracelets, when I buy the watch from them.

Kat


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[Oat Willy]

Originally Posted by KatGirl

What HE said! I size all my own bracelets, and change out my own straps, rather than trust anyone else to do it, including folks at Omega, or Rolex. I don’t even let them size the bracelets, when I buy the watch from them.

Kat


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I hear you, but I tried doing it myself once and scratched up the inside of the lug. Haven't tried it again since

[Oat Willy]

Originally Posted by brandrea

The “chick” at the Rolex boutique would tell you the same

Why would you say that? There's a Rolex AD in my area and switched out straps for me a bunch of times, and I've never even bought a watch from them

[Fleetlord]

Actually Omega boutiques have been THE most accommodating in terms of getting me parts, clasps and modifying old references with updated stuff.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Oat Willy

Why would you say that? There's a Rolex AD in my area and switched out straps for me a bunch of times, and I've never even bought a watch from them

I think its pretty standard practice for a boutique to not install an aftermarket strap on a watch

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[Oat Willy]

Originally Posted by chris242

That’s the industry norm

Just because it's technically in the corporate "policy" rule book doesn't mean that when a customer that recently bought an 8k watch walks back in with it and asks for something so obviously simple, that you shouldn't say 'sure, technically we're not supposed to, so don't tell anyone, wink wink' and go ahead and do it.

Bending a harmless innocuous rule like this one to help a valued customer and establish good will is so basic. It will keep them coming back, which is what you want. As it stands I'll NEVER go back in to that particular boutique.

I really hope some of you that are siding with the salesgirl on this don't own or operate a business.

[Cru Jones]

Why should an AD bother to installing a non-OEM strap on a watch?

[DoricSpiker]

I think you may be taking this personally OP. A lot of the Boutiques don’t have a watchmaker so the Sales people have to do it. If she wasn’t allowed to do it or felt uncomfortable doing it, just move onto another shop who would probs do it for free.
I love the guys at my OB but I am pretty sure they would not move a Rolex I had on last summer, down a notch to make it looser. Actually, from memory she was very uncomfortable doing it so I said don’t worry. No biggie. Bigger dramas in life than this.

P.s I own a business in London.


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[FloydRedford]

Originally Posted by Oat Willy

Just because it's technically in the corporate "policy" rule book doesn't mean that when a customer that recently bought an 8k watch walks back in with it and asks for something so obviously simple, that you shouldn't say 'sure, technically we're not supposed to, so don't tell anyone, wink wink' and go ahead and do it.

Bending a harmless innocuous rule like this one to help a valued customer and establish good will is so basic. It will keep them coming back, which is what you want. As it stands I'll NEVER go back in to that particular boutique.

I really hope some of you that are siding with the salesgirl on this don't own or operate a business.

I own my own business and my industry has similar OEM norms and policies. Just do the strap change yourself and stop whining. Sheesh


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[Cr_Zeek]

Its pretty standard for them not to touch non-oem parts.

I had an Omega that I purchased online and took it to Omega for sizing. They asked where I got it from and I told them where and also why.

Their tech came, measured my wrist and took the watch for sizing. came back five minutes later watch correctly sized. I asked how much, and I was told no charge its their pleasure to do it.

I was impressed.

A Mercedes dealership isn't going to install after market supercharger or rims just because you bought the car there. Why would you expect Omega boutique to be any different?

[JC316]

You have over 200 posts and have been a member for a long time. I'm surprised you thought they would change it out for you.

Out of curiosity, have you had a different experience with your Rolex's?

[Auric Goldfinger]

OP thought he had something here.

It’s 100% normal for any boutique or AD to not touch any aftermarket part.

[Saoirse32]

Originally Posted by FloydRedford

I own my own business and my industry has similar OEM norms and policies. Just do the strap change yourself and stop whining. Sheesh


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This ^^^


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[Saoirse32]

Also-
The OB in Orange County has the most professional and friendly staff and have always been helpful and accommodating, even with my Omegas NOT purchased from them.
But to bring them a non-OEM strap and expect them to install it for you??
No sir


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[uscmatt99]

Pretty standard, and I get it. For example, I brought my Rolex into an AD for a 5-year service and it had an aftermarket strap in place. They wouldn't even accept it! I had to go back home, swap it back onto the bracelet, and bring it in. Then I told them not to polish anything, just service the movement and dial/handset.

[RW16610]

OP, I hope you're able to source a springbar pliers or tool least likely to cause scratches. If anything, you can tape up the lugs for safe measure, as this will help if done properly. You'll save a lot more time and have the satisfaction of a job well done, as much as you want, without having to go there.

I now do all of my bracelet sizing as well, have for years and it's fun. Not much of a strap person, but have done that in the past too. Taping the lugs was successfully used by me many times, so hoping you'll be able to enjoy any strap you like, as often as you like without this. Every problem has a solution.

Taped all the way around, you'll have zero issues. This technique should work for any brand or model of watch.

Image from hirshstraps.com

https://www.hirschstraps.com/pages/b...changing-guide

Originally Posted by JTL31

I absolutely hate this term! But then again, I am a female (not a Broad or Bimbo either)!
Admittedly, I was taken aback by the Rolex “fat lady”. Why? Just. Why.

Agreed, and I've never for the life of me understood why some watches (from one brand in particular) ended up with all the silly / ridiculous nicknames. The one you've pointed out is definitely up there on the list of the worst ones.

[macrowatch]

Originally Posted by RW16610

OP, I hope you're able to source a springbar pliers or tool least likely to cause scratches. If anything, you can tape up the lugs for safe measure, as this will help if done properly. You'll save a lot more time and have the satisfaction of a job well done, as much as you want, without having to go there.

I now do all of my bracelet sizing as well, have for years and it's fun. Not much of a strap person, but have done that in the past too. Taping the lugs was successfully used by me many times, so hoping you'll be able to enjoy any strap you like, as often as you like without this. Every problem has a solution.

Taped all the way around, you'll have zero issues. This technique should work for any brand or model of watch.

Image from hirshstraps.com

https://www.hirschstraps.com/pages/b...changing-guide




Agreed, and I've never for the life of me understood why some watches (from one brand in particular) ended up with all the silly / ridiculous nicknames. The one you've pointed out is definitely up there on the list of the worst ones.

This is a good reference photo!

Only two things I might add:
Omega spring bars tend to be thicker than Rolex. So May need two different tools to do both.

I might tape the Endlink that fits against the case in the area between the spring bars since you might slip with pliers and scratch there when slipping.

[AEC]

Originally Posted by RW16610

OP, I hope you're able to source a springbar pliers or tool least likely to cause scratches. If anything, you can tape up the lugs for safe measure, as this will help if done properly. You'll save a lot more time and have the satisfaction of a job well done, as much as you want, without having to go there.

I now do all of my bracelet sizing as well, have for years and it's fun. Not much of a strap person, but have done that in the past too. Taping the lugs was successfully used by me many times, so hoping you'll be able to enjoy any strap you like, as often as you like without this. Every problem has a solution.

Taped all the way around, you'll have zero issues. This technique should work for any brand or model of watch.

Image from hirshstraps.com

https://www.hirschstraps.com/pages/b...changing-guide




Agreed, and I've never for the life of me understood why some watches (from one brand in particular) ended up with all the silly / ridiculous nicknames. The one you've pointed out is definitely up there on the list of the worst ones.

Thanks for sharing the details. I haven't bothered to tape before, but seeing this helps me to understand how to do it