The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Just popped in to my local Breitling AD in Cardiff to order 4 spring bars. The chap couldn't tell me what the cost would be so I'm curious if anyone here has purchased some recently and would know? They are 24mm bars for a strap on a SA Black Steel.

Thanks.

I've always been given them for nothing. Otto Frei sells them for about $2 per dozen or $8 per 100 so the cost is negligible.

Hoping that's the case. Although the salesperson did advise that the single Tag spring bar he'd ordered recently had cost £11.50 (for a single bar!!).

Same here, I just walked in and were given them without cost.

I bought 2 pair from a local Breitling AD. I have never done business with them before and they charged me $8 a pair. I figured that wasn't bad considering they most likely wont get any new business from me since I buy second hand. They also looked exactly like the pair that came out of the used Breitling I just bought in December which was good. As I understand it Breitling out sources the spring bars but I like to stay original if possible.

Thanks for the reply. I'd be quite happy with $16 for two pair

Bought a lether strap for my 6.75 today, got the pins for free..

I always look at this as being similar to optometrists. If you lose a screw in your glasses then most Opts will replace it for free, whether you bought the glasses there or not. Well, that's been my experience here in Oz. Its apparently a professional courtesy on the basis of better customer service and emergency care. An optometrist and good friend of mine keeps a good stock of screws for just this service, and she seems to get quite a number over a year. Free fitting too. I think she would be embarrassed for charging for this service, as its nothing really.

Same goes for watch retailers in my opinion. I think I was charged $5 for 2 x 20mm bars once, but never again. They usually they give them free if you are buying a new strap, etc, but they are so small in the cost of things, its a wonder they would want to sell them at any other time. There monetary value is low to the retailer, but an opportunity to provide a free services is priceless to the customer. There are springbars and springbars of course (as not all are the same quality) but in the main they are a very expendable piece of the puzzle. So, how about some retailer largesse!

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Jim

"You have Control".

Just to update, I checked with Breitling UK who let me have the cost of the bars, they were a very reasonable £1.36 each. Shortly after the Breitling store in Cardiff called to say they had arrived. I didn't question the cost since I'd already been told they would charge rrp. So I was a little surprised to be charged £20 for the 4 bars!!!

Last time I'll ever visit Crouch in Cardiff!

You should have point blank refused to pay. And got them to ring BUK.

Well. There you have it. Customer satisfaction 0. AD endorsement 0.

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Jim

"You have Control".

I believe this is as close as one will get to Breitling spring bars.
Would not surprise me if they come from the same source.

http://www.ofrei.com/page1229.html

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"It is just a matter of time!"

I have actually complained to Breitling UK. Their customer services department is taking it up with the store.