Seiko Club Singapore Museum

Seiko JDM rant

balzebub71
Seiko JDM rant
This is a rant thread and perhaps something to consider before jumping to purchase a JDM seiko?



As some folks here know, I had a black coating peeling off issue on the shroud of my Golgo Tuna, which got worse, the black coating was just flaking off despite my not wearing the watch.



So I surfaced this issue to TS and they basically told me since it's not purchased from any dealer in SG they can't do anything about it..so I dropped Seiko Japan and email and their reply was please contact our agent in Singapore (TS)... Basically all just practicing tai chi...



In the end after another trip down to TS with a copy of Seiko Japan email, they agreed to help send my tuna to japan at my cost.



Now it's been 3 weeks plus and not a single update from either TS or Japan Seiko. Come on my tuna is flying to japan not swimming...



After I emailed them to check, no updates were given, just a very vague we will let you know the status of your watch in about 3 months time and thanks for asking.



That is pathetic...3 months even before they can update me?! Unacceptable CS for such a huge corporation....



This really is a wet blanket to me for any future JDM purchases...
bish
Re: Seiko JDM rant
The CS from some of the major brands is the reason why i avoid getting their watches despite the them being solid pieces..



Sent from my GT-I8730 using Tapatalk
balzebub71
Re: Seiko JDM rant
So far I've experienced great CS from brands like Tissot, Omega, Hamilton (SWATCH group), even sending a vintage piece back to Omega HQ for servicing took all of 4 months plus and i was kept in the loop every step of the way by their CS here in Singapore. This treatment by Seiko was the main reason why i am holding off on my MM300 purchase, another japan service/repair only watch...
KKFA
Re: Seiko JDM rant
Sorry to hear about your ongoing saga.



But to be honest if one buys a model that is for domestic market only, the warranty would also only be for the domestic market. So the company does not have an obligation to cover the item internationally. Therefore for TS to help you in the way that they did is not too shabby CS. Remember they are not charging you for their service as they did not get your custom in purchasing the peice in the first place.



On the other hand, Seiko really dropped the ball with the quality control on the piece and the poor follow up service which they are now obliged to provide once they accepted the piece for inspection/service. That is really poor CS and rather surprising given the reputation for good service out of Japan.



Hope the outcome will be better than the process.



Cheers.
balzebub71
Re: Seiko JDM rant

"KKFA"

Sorry to hear about your ongoing saga.



But to be honest if one buys a model that is for domestic market only, the warranty would also only be for the domestic market. So the company does not have an obligation to cover the item internationally. Therefore for TS to help you in the way that they did is not too shabby CS. Remember they are not charging you for their service as they did not get your custom in purchasing the peice in the first place.



On the other hand, Seiko really dropped the ball with the quality control on the piece and the poor follow up service which they are now obliged to provide once they accepted the piece for inspection/service. That is really poor CS and rather surprising given the reputation for good service out of Japan.



Hope the outcome will be better than the process.



Cheers.


Yup, anxious to know if Seiko Japan will fix the problem without charge...i certainly hope so as it's 100% a manufacturing defect; although i get this feeling they will probably say it's wear and tear and charge me hundreds for a new shroud. If that happens i swear i will never ever buy another Seiko watch of any sort.... :x :x

But then i am missing my Tuna already, need to get something else to replace it :cry:
KKFA
Re: Seiko JDM rant

"balzebub71"

So far I've experienced great CS from brands like Tissot, Omega, Hamilton (SWATCH group), even sending a vintage piece back to Omega HQ for servicing took all of 4 months plus and i was kept in the loop every step of the way by their CS here in Singapore. This treatment by Seiko was the main reason why i am holding off on my MM300 purchase, another japan service/repair only watch...

I think one of the main problems may be language and custom. For the Japanese, they seem to be more patient and put more trust in their institutions such that tracking is not deemed required as it is taken for granted that it will be done. This makes the rest of us who are not used to such patience feeling fraustrated and helpless.



One bad apple does not taint the whole barrel though.



Just my two yen. Keep cool and hope you get the best resukt that you want.



Cheers.
Solanum88
Re: Seiko JDM rant
3rd Golgo locally I heard with the same problem. One would think they would use a better coating for a watch at that price.
bish
Re: Seiko JDM rant
Maybe is just design flaw for this one..



Sent from my GT-I8730 using Tapatalk
balzebub71
Re: Seiko JDM rant
hmm anyone know what happened to the other golgo tunas? did seiko repair under warranty or?

It's gonna be awful if the black coating flakes off my shroud completely, shiny stainless steel shroud and shiny black casing.. :D



Strangely for my golgo tuna, the black coating on the rest of the watch seems fine, not a scratch despite a few clumsy strap changes, no scratch on the coating on the lugs at all...
Solanum88
Re: Seiko JDM rant

"balzebub71"

hmm anyone know what happened to the other golgo tunas? did seiko repair under warranty or?

It's gonna be awful if the black coating flakes off my shroud completely, shiny stainless steel shroud and shiny black casing.. :D



Strangely for my golgo tuna, the black coating on the rest of the watch seems fine, not a scratch despite a few clumsy strap changes, no scratch on the coating on the lugs at all...


Not too sure what is their current stance on the issue but from what I understand it isn't exactly covered under warranty.
big-e-294
Re: Seiko JDM rant

"Solanum88"

[quote="balzebub71"]hmm anyone know what happened to the other golgo tunas? did seiko repair under warranty or?

It's gonna be awful if the black coating flakes off my shroud completely, shiny stainless steel shroud and shiny black casing.. :D



Strangely for my golgo tuna, the black coating on the rest of the watch seems fine, not a scratch despite a few clumsy strap changes, no scratch on the coating on the lugs at all...


Not too sure what is their current stance on the issue but from what I understand it isn't exactly covered under warranty.[/quote]

maybe its a batch issue? :?:

a bad production batch... just a thought.



but in any case, it should be covered under warranty, as there is not proof that the watch was ill treated (no scratches any where else on the case, xtal, etc) and the part where it is peeling, there is no signs that it was dropped, no dents.
balzebub71
Re: Seiko JDM rant
yup my golgo tuna is pristine no other scratch or ding at all, and the area on the shroud that is flaking off is a part of the shroud that doesn't come into contact with my wrist during wear. So 100% confirmed is a manufacturing defect. Keeping my fingers crossed Seiko Japan will stand by their product and customer and do the right thing.
big-e-294
Re: Seiko JDM rant

"balzebub71"

yup my golgo tuna is pristine no other scratch or ding at all, and the area on the shroud that is flaking off is a part of the shroud that doesn't come into contact with my wrist during wear. So 100% confirmed is a manufacturing defect. Keeping my fingers crossed Seiko Japan will stand by their product and customer and do the right thing.


All the best. Pls keep us posted on this issue.





Sent from The Force
samloi
Re: Seiko JDM rant
Sad to hear... by the way is it under international warranty or japan only warranty? I remember last time I read TS was quite cool about the handling of GS and the JDMs..... Perhaps their stance changed after getting official dealership for the GS and such?



I'm lucky that my mm300 gave no issues in the year I own. Thinking of a GS so doing more research.
balzebub71
Re: Seiko JDM rant
Ya TS checked and wrote on my service receipt that my tuna was under warranty but japan domestic warranty. Yup soon as I have an update I will post here.
Cosmograph
Re: Seiko JDM rant

"balzebub71"

Ya TS checked and wrote on my service receipt that my tuna was under warranty but japan domestic warranty. Yup soon as I have an update I will post here.




Hang in there. So far so good for me. However, it is a problem with any AD/Service center as there are many stories going round about AD service centres. Problem with JDM is that it's a Japan domestic market product which we all know means it's usually not for international markets. TS singapore can be rough to deal with. I have ordered some spare parts since Apr and still waiting... Paid for them too. How? LL as they say, I have had to call them to check but they also say that no confirmed date. I have had to call all the time but like that lor, scold them also no use, will not make it come faster. Don't support? I do enjoy my seikos and take it that its part of the hobby. You hear steinharts also many complaints but others don't have that issue. Most importantly is enjoy this hobby. If it gets to you, time to move on to different brand or hobby liao. Hopefully it doesn't frustrate us to the point of no return. ;)
balzebub71
Re: Seiko JDM rant

"Cosmograph"

[quote="balzebub71"]Ya TS checked and wrote on my service receipt that my tuna was under warranty but japan domestic warranty. Yup soon as I have an update I will post here.




Hang in there. So far so good for me. However, it is a problem with any AD/Service center as there are many stories going round about AD service centres. Problem with JDM is that it's a Japan domestic market product which we all know means it's usually not for international markets. TS singapore can be rough to deal with. I have ordered some spare parts since Apr and still waiting... Paid for them too. How? LL as they say, I have had to call them to check but they also say that no confirmed date. I have had to call all the time but like that lor, scold them also no use, will not make it come faster. Don't support? I do enjoy my seikos and take it that its part of the hobby. You hear steinharts also many complaints but others don't have that issue. Most importantly is enjoy this hobby. If it gets to you, time to move on to different brand or hobby liao. Hopefully it doesn't frustrate us to the point of no return. ;)[/quote]

I've only owned seiko, citizen, omega, tissot, orient, seagull, sinn, movado, hamilton so far and only had to approach the CS of Seiko, Citizen, SWATCH (for omega, hamilton and tissot) for assistance, and i must say that Seiko Japan and Seiko Thong Sia has been the worst experience so far.



The best would have to be Omega; their local and HQ CS team responded to my query within 24 hours and resolved my problem for me within 2 business days; full servicing / repair turn around has also been a fast 1-2 months.....



i wonder if i had purchased a Grand Seiko that cost as much as my Omegas, will i get Omega level of service or will i get the shitty service that i am experiencing now from Thong Sia and Seiko Japan?
Cosmograph
Re: Seiko JDM rant

"balzebub71"

[quote="Cosmograph"]




Hang in there. So far so good for me. However, it is a problem with any AD/Service center as there are many stories going round about AD service centres. Problem with JDM is that it's a Japan domestic market product which we all know means it's usually not for international markets. TS singapore can be rough to deal with. I have ordered some spare parts since Apr and still waiting... Paid for them too. How? LL as they say, I have had to call them to check but they also say that no confirmed date. I have had to call all the time but like that lor, scold them also no use, will not make it come faster. Don't support? I do enjoy my seikos and take it that its part of the hobby. You hear steinharts also many complaints but others don't have that issue. Most importantly is enjoy this hobby. If it gets to you, time to move on to different brand or hobby liao. Hopefully it doesn't frustrate us to the point of no return. ;)


I've only owned seiko, citizen, omega, tissot, orient, seagull, sinn, movado, hamilton so far and only had to approach the CS of Seiko, Citizen, SWATCH (for omega, hamilton and tissot) for assistance, and i must say that Seiko Japan and Seiko Thong Sia has been the worst experience so far.



The best would have to be Omega; their local and HQ CS team responded to my query within 24 hours and resolved my problem for me within 2 business days; full servicing / repair turn around has also been a fast 1-2 months.....



i wonder if i had purchased a Grand Seiko that cost as much as my Omegas, will i get Omega level of service or will i get the shitty service that i am experiencing now from Thong Sia and Seiko Japan?[/quote]



Think its safe to say that the service will not be much better since we are dealing with the same people. Likewise, I have heard numerous issues with Swatch group whereby they damaged scratching a vintage omega in pristine condition and denied wrong doing but caught red handed with photo evidence. Worst part is send in to Switzerland and said that the dial was damaged if they had to do any work and wanted to replace with new dial since the old one was discontinued already. According to my friend, the watch had no issues at all and they fit back everything and gave it back to him after all the hassle. So I am sure everyone has stories/personal unpleasant experiences with all ADs. I personally did not have a great experience at Swatch service centre either.
KKFA
Re: Seiko JDM rant

"Cosmograph"

[quote="balzebub71"]


I've only owned seiko, citizen, omega, tissot, orient, seagull, sinn, movado, hamilton so far and only had to approach the CS of Seiko, Citizen, SWATCH (for omega, hamilton and tissot) for assistance, and i must say that Seiko Japan and Seiko Thong Sia has been the worst experience so far.



The best would have to be Omega; their local and HQ CS team responded to my query within 24 hours and resolved my problem for me within 2 business days; full servicing / repair turn around has also been a fast 1-2 months.....



i wonder if i had purchased a Grand Seiko that cost as much as my Omegas, will i get Omega level of service or will i get the shitty service that i am experiencing now from Thong Sia and Seiko Japan?




Think its safe to say that the service will not be much better since we are dealing with the same people. Likewise, I have heard numerous issues with Swatch group whereby they damaged scratching a vintage omega in pristine condition and denied wrong doing but caught red handed with photo evidence. Worst part is send in to Switzerland and said that the dial was damaged if they had to do any work and wanted to replace with new dial since the old one was discontinued already. According to my friend, the watch had no issues at all and they fit back everything and gave it back to him after all the hassle. So I am sure everyone has stories/personal unpleasant experiences with all ADs. I personally did not have a great experience at Swatch service centre either.[/quote]
+1 experiences vary across AD CS. I personally had a piece put together wrong by Omega CS and was only rectified by K2 Mr. Goh. At the time, I did not know as one does not open up a watch that was just serviced to check. So ...

Hope you get some good news soon. cheers.
balzebub71
Re: Seiko JDM rant
Yup keeping my fingers crossed, hopefully seiko japan will stand by their products and do the right thing.....very stressed hope they don't make me pay through my nose...at same time also got 2 Omegas on repair and full service with SWATCH...gonna get heart attack when their quotation comes...and to make it worse, suffering from TUNA withdrawal..
TheChef
Re: Seiko JDM rant
Before they proceed with repair, they need to let you know the cost. It is unlikely to be cheap. Unfortunately, this is not covered under lemon law, as it is not a local purchase.
balzebub71
Re: Seiko JDM rant
Just an interim update. After I wrote a lengthy email to TS lamenting their lack of service, they contacted seiko japan and was told my tuna will be swimming back to SG sometime towards the end of December. No additional cost except the $89 for courier charges. Seiko Japan is treating the repair as within warranty.
Andylau
Re: Seiko JDM rant
At least $89 sounds decent in this case ;)
TheChef
Re: Seiko JDM rant
Good to hear that this unfortunate episode is coming to an end.
KKFA
Re: Seiko JDM rant

"balzebub71"

Just an interim update. After I wrote a lengthy email to TS lamenting their lack of service, they contacted seiko japan and was told my tuna will be swimming back to SG sometime towards the end of December. No additional cost except the $89 for courier charges. Seiko Japan is treating the repair as within warranty.

Cool. Great news. Hope u get it back soon. Keep us uodated if you can. Cheers.
Cosmograph
Re: Seiko JDM rant
Glad to hear that. I got a call from them with constant apologies for the ever long wait for parts. And really can feel sorry for them when they explained that they have been pushing Japan but just no answer and they also don't know how to answer me. Its ok, I can wait though it been over 6 months cuz its not an emergency but just the nature of business dealing with Japanese.
balzebub71
Re: Seiko JDM rant

"Cosmograph"

Glad to hear that. I got a call from them with constant apologies for the ever long wait for parts. And really can feel sorry for them when they explained that they have been pushing Japan but just no answer and they also don't know how to answer me. Its ok, I can wait though it been over 6 months cuz its not an emergency but just the nature of business dealing with Japanese.


Surprises me though, always thought the Japanese were fast and efficient... Guess not huh.