Please Explain The Fascination With Watch repairs !!

[Guest Tackhead]

Hi - new on this site - looks good !

 

Can someone explain why every shoe repairer I speak to is obsessed with fitting batteries as the way forward in making `BIG` money ?

 

when most of the same guys admit to me they dont engrave,take in contract work on brass memorial plaques,sharpen knives/scissors or cut transponder keys or sell euro locks ... some of the things which (in my experience) make SERIOUS money !

 

to me to break the flow in a one man shop when you`re flat out with bag fulls of stiletto`s (easy Money !) or bunches of keys waiting to be cut (Even Easier Money !) to faff about with watch backs,tiny screws and pins is beyond me !

 

admittedly i do put on new leather watch straps - but come on, that is a pain in the arse most of the time - only about 2 out of five being relatively simple

 

myself - if i had a good quality watch I wouldnt take it in to a shoe repairers anyway - give me a trained jeweler anyday

 

I know I`m probably stirring a hornets nest here - but does anybody else out there think the same ?

[x minit uk]

Well the only thing I can say to that is ask Timpsons, they rake in 1000,s of pounds a year from putting a little battery in now and again and some of their stores take up to 3 or 4 k a week on just watch repairs.

[ironplanet uk900]

Hi - new on this site - looks good !

 

Can someone explain why every shoe repairer I speak to is obsessed with fitting batteries as the way forward in making `BIG` money ?

 

when most of the same guys admit to me they dont engrave,take in contract work on brass memorial plaques,sharpen knives/scissors or cut transponder keys or sell euro locks ... some of the things which (in my experience) make SERIOUS money !

 

to me to break the flow in a one man shop when you`re flat out with bag fulls of stiletto`s (easy Money !) or bunches of keys waiting to be cut (Even Easier Money !) to faff about with watch backs,tiny screws and pins is beyond me !

 

admittedly i do put on new leather watch straps - but come on, that is a pain in the arse most of the time - only about 2 out of five being relatively simple

 

myself - if i had a good quality watch I wouldnt take it in to a shoe repairers anyway - give me a trained jeweler anyday

 

I know I`m probably stirring a hornets nest here - but does anybody else out there think the same ?

 

All I can say is thats an idiotic post.

[Danny King]

I love doing watch batteries and straps, Very easy money, Saturdays are none stop with them at £4-£6 each for batterys not to be laughed at.

 

So think again Tackhead

[Iain]

I have to agree with Planet,

 

While we do not yet offer a watch repair/battery replacement service, we are well aware of the potential of such an addition to our service. We are prevented from offering the service due to competition limitations imposed on us by our council landlord.

 

We get asked all the time and I mean at least 20 times a week if we can fit a new battery or replace a strap. The loss of income there could easily run into a few hundred pounds, an amount that can make a difference in today's climate.

 

We take in any and all the work that comes our way and would love the extra cash available through watch repairs.

 

Ok, if a repair requires a certified/approved specialist repairer then send them on but why turn away work which is well within your capabilities?

 

You are not stirring a hornets nest but you have invited some opinion and serious debate. Welcome to the forum Mr Tackhead. You're gonna love it!

 

Iain

[Jay]

Are you taking the p**s tackhead?! lol

 

There can be FAR more profit in fitting a watch batt than doing a pair of still's or cutting a key, and can be done just as quick.

 

The main thing is having the confidence and knowledge in what your doing & know how to deal/speak to customers in my opinion.

 

"this one will need a re-seal & pressure test, pop back in an hour please mate".... 5 mins, job done....."£15.95 please sir"

[toofatbyfar]

we do watch batts and straps, but we dont do the repairs etc,,mainly cuz there is a bloke just fifty yards on high street that has a little trailer that does all this type of work, and if i get a right awkward one i send them to him,, he also sends people down to me, cuz he is always being asked to cut keys,, well worth doin the batts and straps thou,, pennys into pounds,,,

[Lee]

Can someone explain why every shoe repairer I speak to is obsessed with fitting batteries as the way forward in making `BIG` money ?

 

For me, like the computer it has become a work based hobby, I love tinkering with watches & have found myself starting a collection!

 

I can't stop spending money on equipment & those tiny screws aren't so tiny through a micro scope!

 

I have progressed my skills in a short space of time & whilst I'm not saying I'm an Horological expert. Short of making a watch from scratch theirs not a lot I can't do if the parts are available!

 

myself - if i had a good quality watch I wouldnt take it in to a shoe repairers anyway - give me a trained jeweler anyday

However! if you develop your skills gradually & constantly your reputation will make your "cobblers" shop stand head and shoulders above the local jewelers! I now find myself regularly handling some VERY expensive time pieces!

None of these customers are confident in the service they will receive from other retailers! they also know where their time piece is & exactly who is pulling it apart.......

 

Nice controversial topic there Tackhead, I like your style!

 

Lee

[ironplanet uk900]

"cobblers" shop !

 

Lee

 

Thats the key isn't it Lee, those who move, and strive to be better aren't "Cobbler" shops anymore. I started a topic about just that probably 2 years ago.

 

 

Just found it...fasten your seatbelts.. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=747

[Lee]

Have we really been here that long!

 

Reputation, Reputation, Reputation. If all you fit is straps Tackhead, you'll never build that reputation that will make you understand the "Fascination"

 

Each off us has an area we are more comfortable & interested with than others, for me its shoe repairs & watches.

 

for planet uk900 its shoes & engraving

 

For Tel200 its keys & lock smithing.

 

I don't get the fascination with lock smithing but there's a simple reason why, I don't do it!

 

Lee

[Auto Key Wizard]

Each off us has an area we are more comfortable & interested with than others, for me its shoe repairs & watches.

...& this forum

[Lee]

For me, like the computer it has become a work based hobby,

you know me well!

 

Lee

[Guest Tackhead]

Nah !! ...still does`nt sell it to me lads - why break off a good flow of stillys/toe pieces & keys ( 1 customer today wanted 30 era 7 gauge brass mortice - came back in 15 mins - all done - £165.00 - Thanks Luv !!)

 

why stop everything to dik about with a watch - which is only worth a fraction of this - while everything is piling up around you

 

give me a punter who wants 2 yales - 20 seconds - fiver in the till anyday ! - bang bang taking money hand over fist !

 

I also like the ` just look at Timpsons ` approach from a few of you - sorry lads but Timpsons are`nt gods - although every ex Timpson employee i meet seems to think they are - its like the moonies when u work for `em - I swear !! - if they started selling banana splits some waller would be saying `its the way forward !`

[Lee]

Nah !! ...still does`nt sell it to me lads - why break off a good flow of stillys/toe pieces & keys ( 1 customer today wanted 30 era 7 gauge brass mortice - came back in 15 mins - all done - £165.00 - Thanks Luv !!)

 

why stop everything to dik about with a watch - which is only worth a fraction of this - while everything is piling up around you

 

there by hangs the tail! why are you doing shoe repairs, when you could be doing keys all day? ( your answer will be the one you are looking for from us! ) because 1 thing alone wouldn't be enough. 2 things makes you a good living. But 1/2dozen things means you never get board!

 

Lee

[hibsjo(SCO)]

Omega seamaster in the other day 3 links out of it 45 quid in the till for 2 mins work....

Rover remote on car today 10 seconds work £75 in the till! \:D/

full leather sole and heel today 50 quid for about half a mornings work doesnt add up does it

Im ex timpsons/automagic no gods there for me!

carry on!

[ironplanet uk900]

Nah !! ...still does`nt sell it to me lads - why break off a good flow of stillys/toe pieces & keys ( 1 customer today wanted 30 era 7 gauge brass mortice - came back in 15 mins - all done - £165.00 - Thanks Luv !!)

 

why stop everything to dik about with a watch - which is only worth a fraction of this - while everything is piling up around you

 

give me a punter who wants 2 yales - 20 seconds - fiver in the till anyday ! - bang bang taking money hand over fist !

 

I also like the ` just look at Timpsons ` approach from a few of you - sorry lads but Timpsons are`nt gods - although every ex Timpson employee i meet seems to think they are - its like the moonies when u work for `em - I swear !! - if they started selling banana splits some waller would be saying `its the way forward !`

 

Congratulations Tackhead thats got to be to most idiotic post in the history of this forum.

[Guest Tackhead]

Congratulations Tackhead thats got to be to most idiotic post in the history of this forum.

 

Oooh Get You ! - Plenty More Where They Come From Luv .

 

- Handbags At Dawn !!

[Hugh-Candoit (ENG)]

Nah !! ...still does`nt sell it to me lads - why break off a good flow of stillys/toe pieces & keys ( 1 customer today wanted 30 era 7 gauge brass mortice - came back in 15 mins - all done - £165.00 - Thanks Luv !!)

 

why stop everything to dik about with a watch - which is only worth a fraction of this - while everything is piling up around you

 

give me a punter who wants 2 yales - 20 seconds - fiver in the till anyday ! - bang bang taking money hand over fist !

 

I also like the ` just look at Timpsons ` approach from a few of you - sorry lads but Timpsons are`nt gods - although every ex Timpson employee i meet seems to think they are - its like the moonies when u work for `em - I swear !! - if they started selling banana splits some waller would be saying `its the way forward !`

 

Congratulations Tackhead thats got to be to most idiotic post in the history of this forum.

 

I read this topic with great interest and before I comment I will say just this,... the way you post tackhead seems that you have been a member for years, you seem to be on the same wavelength and able accept the critics.

 

Let me start by saying that my field is Shoe Repairs, I never did Watch Repairs, or Locksmith work, but since I retired many years ago my hobbies are Watch Repairs & messing about with Locks,Church door locks as well as Yale type cylinder. No interest 9in cylinder keys but I can make you a 12" long key for a door 300 year old out of scrap metal. Repaired many main springs in clocks that jewelers said could not be done and spend quite a bit of time messing about with watches, I enjoy it, just as I enjoyed repairing shoes and leather goods.

 

Now.... you mention astronomical figures of £165 for keys !!!!!

Well how would you feel about putting a movement in one of my watches costing £4500.00 ?

Time takes is just a few minutes for the likes of Lee and many who are experienced, make a name for yourself and the skys the limit as far as watch repairs go.

Fitting a strap 1 to 4 minutes, cost £5-£25 according to quality, but what if the strap in on a Graham,Bell & Ross, Rolex, Breguet,IWC,Hublot,IWC,Audemmars Piquet,Breiting,Cartier,Glashutte,Jaeger-LeCoultre,Montblanc,Vacheron Constantin, just to name a quarter of the top brands.Any work on these watches starts at £100+, and yes your are right who would leave a watch like that to you?

 

But they would leave it to someone they trust to do a good reasonably priced job rather than getting ripped off by brand agents.

[Dean]

tackhead, I don't "get" your post - basically you are castigating people for repairing watches

 

[Iain]

Tackhead,

 

That attitude will earn you very little respect on here. You might not give a toss but please have the decency to understand that some of us actually want to do those little jobs - regardless of what it puts in the till. You don't have to agree but you have to accept it.

 

 

I had a customer today, wanted 60 YAX1 keys cutting. Yes it was easy,quick money but it didn't stop me from taking in a handbag at £4.99.

 

You may be happy to refuse work which doesn't suit you or which you can't be arsed with. I and probably quite a few others prefer to offer a complete service to our customers, regardless of the return it offers. It it provides a profitable return and is within our capablities then why wouldn't we?

 

It's not just about di*king with a watch. It''s about providing a service. A service which will generate more income and a better reputation. Sure, we'd all love to do the quickest,most profitable job all day but it doesn't work like that and you know it. Are you seriously saying that a man of your age and experience could be so blindingly arrogant as to assume that that your peers care so little about their customers and their business?

 

Seriously, this forum has helped many people run their businesses more effectively and has taught others, including myself improved methods of repair.

 

Don't fu*k it up by alienating the very people who give a sh*t about you and your business.

 

Oh, if that Eoghan wins X-Factor - i'll dance a naked jig outside my town hall!!

[Dean]

I read this topic with great interest and before I comment I will say just this,... the way you post tackhead seems that you have been a member for years,

 

I wonder who on earth it could be?!

 

[Auto Key Wizard]

the way you post tackhead seems that you have been a member for years,

I wonder who on earth it could be?!

Well he ain't been here a week yet

Joined:

Tue Nov 25, 2008

[Guest Tackhead]

An example of what i`m tring to get across is `why watch repairs ?`

 

eg - myself ive been sharpening chefs knives for donkeys years - making good money from the cafes, butchers and curry houses - bringing in bagfulls in one go! - with no outlay to myself - Pure Profit !!!

 

speaking to other repairers - no one else i know seems to do this at all !

 

But hang on ... if - (Bow your heads) TIMPSONS did it !

it would be next big thing in the industry - and we would all be mad not to do it !!

 

I know plenty of repairers who wont even attempt watches or even engraving or engravable gifts - but sadly i`m the only one on here who will broach the subject - sigh !

[ironplanet uk900]

Tackhead,

 

That attitude will earn you very little respect on here. You might not give a toss but please have the decency to understand that some of us actually want to do those little jobs - regardless of what it puts in the till. You don't have to agree but you have to accept it.

 

 

I had a customer today, wanted 60 YAX1 keys cutting. Yes it was easy,quick money but it didn't stop me from taking in a handbag at £4.99.

 

You may be happy to refuse work which doesn't suit you or which you can't be arsed with. I and probably quite a few others prefer to offer a complete service to our customers, regardless of the return it offers. It it provides a profitable return and is within our capablities then why wouldn't we?

 

It's not just about di*king with a watch. It''s about providing a service. A service which will generate more income and a better reputation. Sure, we'd all love to do the quickest,most profitable job all day but it doesn't work like that and you know it. Are you seriously saying that a man of your age and experience could be so blindingly arrogant as to assume that that your peers care so little about their customers and their business?

 

Seriously, this forum has helped many people run their businesses more effectively and has taught others, including myself improved methods of repair.

 

Don't fu*k it up by alienating the very people who give a sh*t about you and your business.

 

Oh, if that Eoghan wins X-Factor - i'll dance a naked jig outside my town hall!!

 

Well said Iain... =D> =D> =D>

 

[ironplanet uk900]

An example of what i`m tring to get across is `why watch repairs ?`

 

errrm...... Why!!! are you really that dumb

 

eg - myself ive been sharpening chefs knives for donkeys years - making good money from the cafes, butchers and curry houses - bringing in bagfulls in one go! - with no outlay to myself - Pure Profit !!!

 

Bravo, A new wonder service, Lets all throw away our watch repairing equipment, to make way for this new revolutionary idea......not, Sharpening LOL are you a piky. Folk in this trade have been sharpening for years for christs sake

 

speaking to other repairers - no one else i know seems to do this at all !

 

And your point is...

 

You don't offer a watch service, so you think we shouldn't. I don't actually understand wtf you are getting at.

 

But hang on ... if - (Bow your heads) TIMPSONS did it !

it would be next big thing in the industry - and we would all be mad not to do it !!

 

I believe I was doing watch repairs before Timpsons, and so was many others on here. Its not a matter of copying anyone else, its just a damn good service to offer.

Timpsons are incredably successful, and I for one wouldn't be ashamed to take a leaf out of there book.

 

I know plenty of repairers who wont even attempt watches or even engraving or engravable gifts

There are many many independants on here who have invested thousands on engraving, watch, and shoe repair equipment, and enjoy the success that comes with it.

I bet you aint even got an outsole or insole stitcher

Your a loser on a massive scale, not the guys who offer these services. buying a £14.99 6" grinder from Macro isn't a stroke of genious

 

- but sadly i`m the only one on here who will broach the subject - sigh !

 

broach the subject my arse, your nothing but a jumped up jerk who can't see the wood for the trees.

 

RIP Tin pot Tackhead.