The Breitling Watch Source Forums

After many months of searching for my next watch, I decided to buy a Breitling Avenger Chrono Automatic (my first Breitling) during a trip to Buenos Aires. We agreed on a good price and I was thrilled with the purchase. The store manager said this was the cash price and asked if I was paying cash or credit card. Since I did not have that much cash on me, I elected to use my Visa card. He said "no problem, price is the same". I was thrilled and loved the new watch.

Upon review of my credit card statement after returning to the US, I realized that he charged me almost $1,600 more.

Many emails later, he admitted that the negotiated price only applied to cash since he was using a "parallel exchange rate" not the official Argentinian Peso exhange rate. I have emails that show he admits to the misunderstanding but refuses to make it right.

Couple of questions:
1. Since this is an official Breitling Boutique store, do they need to honor MSRP pricing?
2. Does anyone have emails addresses for either Breitling SA or US? I cant imagine that corporate would condone these actions at a company store.

This has certainly changed my view on Breitling and my watch! I would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

I assume that you mean AD rather than a company owned boutique. ADs are not allowed to sell for more than MSRP, they can negotiate a discount up to certain limitesthat vary from market to market based on their AD contract.

Phone numbers are on the site here - http://www.breitlingsource.com/contact.shtml,

Not a mistake that should happen, but where does that additional $1,600 put you... in the range of the MSRP with a small discount, or over the suggested price? If you paid about what should be expected for that watch it's sort of a difficult situation to deal with and amounts to the guy just being stupid. I think knowing all the numbers would probably sway me one way or the other.

Are you saying that your credit card statement showed a charge for $1600 more than you signed for?

Infinite regrets on your predicament. Be sure to connect
with your credit card company, as it will be able to assist
you with this s(h)ituation.

Talk to your credit card provider. Should be able to get a charge back.

On the receipt as long you signed for the price you agreed you can dispute for the overcharged amount, unless if you signed for the actual amount that has been charged i doubt the bank will reverse it

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Breitling Emergency Yellow Dial

The negotiated sale price was $5100 for the Avenger Skyland Chrono. Since this store is an authorized distributor, is this near MSRP?

Update - I have emailed my situation to 6 different executives, customer service and even sales. It has been over a week and no responses! I am very disappointed with my experience at Breitling. This has been my worst customer service experience with a luxury brand. Should have purchased the Rolex!

Appreciate any further advice. Thanks

If you stated whether there was a difference between the price you negotiated, and the price you signed the credit card slip for, I missed it.

it would help us to advise you if you could answer our questions ?

what amount did you sign for ? if you did sign for the amount charged, I doubt very much the CC company will side with you - and I do not see how Breitling (or Rolex, Apple, Bulgari, whoever) could and should help you.

if the charge is $1,600 higher than the amount signed, your CC company will support u in a chargeback - again I see nothing Breitling could and should do, next to a friendly letter ?

To clarify, I did end up signing for the higher amount in Pesos. I did not do the final conversion based upon the parallel exchange rate discussion. I have emails from the manager stating the price would be the same with either cash or credit. Certainly my bad for not clarifying one last time.

My issue is twofold. The manager has admitted the confusion created and the agreed price would be honored cash or credit. Second, I believe that he might have sold the watch higher than msrp.

My experience with luxury brands (ie BMW, mercedes, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, etc) has always been one of understand a customers issue and attempting to make it right. At this point, I have been unsuccessful in having any conversations with Breitling. Any advice on how I can make contact?

Thanks

Yes. I have some advice. 1. Be more knowledgable and 2. Get some clarity. If your "responses" to specific questions posed here by those tying to help you are a reflection of the clarity of your communications with Breitling, then they are likely scratching their heads. And if the dealer is making it right, what is the beef?


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SHARKMAN

Looks like the original post states that the manager "refuses to make it right".

As stated, the manager refuses to "make it right". Looking for any helpful advice.

I have no idea what you expect Breitling to do about it. If I understand your posts correctly you were charged what you signed the charge slip for. The only issue seems to be a he said / he said situation where the manager verbally said that the price that you would be charged was different from what the store actually charged. at best that's an issue with the store, certainly no reason for Breitling to get involved and realistically not much that can be done - you signed the slip so expressly agreed to the charge.