Seiko Kinetic Watches - sent for repair to Seiko's Mahwah, NJ facility - upset with repair quality

Complaints.com received the following on March 29, 2003:

From: Joe Palumbo [Email User]

RE: Seiko Kinetic Watches - sent for repair to Seiko's Mahwah, NJ facility - upset with repair quality

I must sadly report that every Seiko kinetic watch that my wife and I owned has failed within 2 to 3 years. In November of 2000, both my wife’s and my kinetic watches were repaired by Seiko's Mahwah, N.J. facility. This was the first repair for my watch (model 5M43-0B19, S/N 6D8256), the second for my wife’s.

The repair work was so shoddy on my wife’s watch, which they had the nerve to send back to us in a non-working and damaged condition, that Seiko agreed to replace it with a new and similar one (model 3M62-OA30, S/N 000602). My wife wore the replacement watch briefly when it was received but as she said; it was not as nice as her original Seiko, it didn’t fit as well and she was soured by the entire experience. She stored her new Seiko kinetic in her jewelry box until recently when she decided to wear it again.

Or so she thought. This virtually new watch now won’t hold a charge of more than 5 minutes on the charge indicator, no matter how long you swing it or wear it. Unbelievable. I sent Seiko an Email regarding this and they said return the watch for repair. Yeah right. By the way, it is out of warranty. Based on the previous shoddy repair experience with the Seiko repair facility in Mahwah, N.J. I will not send the watch for repair. Even if the repair is for free, the reliability of any repairs and the quality of Seiko watches are no longer acceptable. As a senior citizen, I am frustrated with big name companies, that once had a reputation for quality, that have now become marketing organizations only to sell their shoddy products. Considering the cost of a Seiko timepiece, and that of a kinetic, one would expect many years of reliable service. My kid’s Timex watches have lasted longer. This family will no longer buy or trust in any Seiko products. Respectfully, Joe Palumbo Clarks Summit, Pa. 18411

Comment On This

Let me add my disappointment as well. Having sent my watch to the same facility, only to wait almost two months for its return, the watch worked for about 6 months before it stopped holding a charge. No sense sending it back for re-repair as they don't seem to know what they're doing. It's a nice watch, and is now sitting in my drawer. I would caution anyone against getting kinetic watch....you'll get two years out of it at most.c

Comment On This

I too have had similar experience with the seiko repair facility. I spent 180 dollars getting two kinetic watches fixed there and both of them failed in less than a year. One of them even leaked water after I went swimming and it was a 100m rated sports watch. Lets face it. When you have a bunch of 6 dollar an hour employees repairing watches you shouldn't expect much. I would bet that there is not one qualified watch repair person in that entire facility. Thanks Seiko!