I would like to get feedback on Dial Resortation Services. And possibly, who could be a MyBulova.Com preferred vendor for dial restoration. And whether we should collectively seek a MyBulova.Com "Preferred Vendor" and special MyBulova.Com Member discount?
I know International Dial is suppose to be best....but l have had loads of difficulties with them over the past year. Quality has dramatically slipped (see my comments the previous "Dial Refinishing" post), turnaround had been inconsistant (It's not uncommon for it to take four months, and never less then six weeks), and communication and service has really been awful (They won't respond to e-mails....and I don't have time to call once a week to check on my order status.) They don't combine shipping for multiple dials unless you ask (And then it's like pulling teeth to get them to discount the $3 per dial on the invoice!).
I have heard Kirk Dial may also has some customer service issues. Who's best? Who can we rely on? Who do you use? What's your recommendation. For me...I'm thinking anyone but International Dial at this point! I paid $45 for an unexact "Exact" refinish means I have to send it back to them and wait to get it back - and I'm sure it will take another three or four months! I'd like to hear your thoughts. I didn't sign a pledge not to complain! I think there might be power in collective action. I'm sure collectively we spend a lot of money on dial refinishing! I know I do!
What's the saying....'see a need, fill a need'
It is a shame that ID have given you a bad experience. I have always only ever heard of good thisnga about then and from what I have seen of their work in the past, was always amazed at the results.
Let hope someone there picks up that the QA may need a tweak. Is it fair to say these things can happen if you get to be so busy that QA starts to take a back seat....I hope not.
About the pledge not to complain.......I think this is different. I've have had 25 dials redone in the last couple years, all by IDC. Until a month ago I had one problem (which they would not fix). Now I've had three problems although the second and third were kind of half caused by my watch maker I suspect.
If there is a business that all of us depend on, this forum could be a appropriate way to change our collective results, to Shawn's point however ( in the other forum) we need to be careful how we address a well respected business' reputation in these very public places.
If a member steps forward perhaps, to 'lead the charge' ...........
....just going to paint all of mine Red or ( and? ) Blue and be done with it.
Carignan Watch Company - http://www.cwrnh.com/dialrestore.htm
Vintage Watch Restoration - http://vintagewatchrestoration.com/dialrefinishing/
Timepiece - http://www.dialrefinish.net/
Danafi - http://www.watchdialrestoration.com/
Antique Time - http://www.horologist.com/dials.htm
Kirk Rich Dial - http://www.krdial.com/
There are options....
Ive read good things about Kirk, but have no experience with any of them as I mostly like my dials original, and those that are too bad I have yet to do anything with, so My interest is here as well. I cant afford to send a dial out and not get it back soon, and well done. $3 shipping seems trivial, but thats $6 each dial there and back, and then there and back again if its done wrong,,,$12 can completely cut profit margins on a lot of our quick re sells that many of us use to fund our collections...and that is why I have yet to redial any of mine as of yet.
Thanks to Fifth for posting other options, and maybe we could add those and other horological resources to a page here or something? Many people here spend a lot of time looking for these resources that many others here already know of.
I do at least 100 dials a year with International Dial. Over the past six months, I have seen a sharp increase in poor refinishing, outright mistakes/errors, and incrdibly slow turnarounds. I wouldn't mind as much if there was not also an increase in their prices. By the way, their website boasts a 10 business day turnaround.
In reply to I do at least 100 dials a by timerestoration
I would love to nominate someone (perhaps a resident of the great white north (eh?), or perhaps a resident of the great state of Pennsylvania) - who are among at least two members I know of that have direct contact with IDC as businessmen. It seems the gentleman from the north is an esteemed 'panel member'.......
In reply to I would love to nominate by Geoff Baker
stoddrob,
If the poor quality is across the board to both large and small volume customers then what can be done? Obviously something has gone aray within.
I meant to call today and b!tch but got sidetracked, that call is on tomorrows agenda.
Jeff,
Are Your Dials with poor results complex or simple finishes? eg: White.
It would be hard to muck up a plain White or Butler finish Dial.
IMO
In reply to stoddrob, If the poor quality by FifthAvenueRes…
Mark - pretty hard to screw this up (see the post)
http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1925-conqueror-2472
look closely at the seconds track - they (INTERNATIONAL DIAL) just didn't put half of it in. Had my guy send it back, they said they wouldn't fix it - grrrrrr
In reply to stoddrob, If the poor quality by FifthAvenueRes…
I would venture to guess that if one of our people who use ID a lot tossed out the fact that we are discussing their piss poor service and product on this site, maybe that would help? I mean I wouldnt want my dial serviced to be dogged on this site, thats for sure !!!
As far an official (or unofficial) statement or request from admin at mybulova.com or a subset of members "representing" mybulova.com- on "dial quality" or "collective buying power" or the likes, I think this strays from the sites primary purpose. While any member of mybulova.com has an opinion, and collective opinions amongst members, I believe they should remain just that- personal opinions or requests- not those of mybulova.com.
It may be appropriate for mybulova.com to collectivelly contact Cooksey et. al. at the contact they provide in their priceguide w/ new information on the names of Bulova models based on research and ads, however not on updated valuations. This may be within the scope of site purpose.
Having said that, I also think any opinion expressed by admin (or a personal opinion of Stephen's stated outside of his admin status) would be precieved as mybulova.com opinion, so admin may need to exercise this personal right with caution under any circumstance.
It's just not what the site was set up to do. I will review the sites primary purpose statements to refresh my memory.
To be perfectly clear....
I am contacting International Dial with my own problems and/or concerns about their quality control issues and turnaround time. I also intend to mention that I have observed some "chatter" on various watch forums which show similar concerns pertaining to I.D.
I do not intend to represent mybulova.com or any of its members in my communication with them.
I only wish to make them aware of these concerns, and perhaps offer some suggestions for improved customer service....
We'll see how it goes.
Allright, As an "Esteemed" panel member, Thx Geoff
I have been following this post and until now, I have chosen not to comment.
I have been using IDC exclusively for 7 years now and I have had the odd issue here and there and they have always been rectified. I think that's a pretty terriffic record considering I have 30-40 dials per month refinished.
I have a long standing healthy relationship with IDC and I will continue to use them as I am happy with the quality, turnaround and customer service.
I'm sorry folks but I cannot and will not support any statements/claims made by others when I am not experiencing any of these issues.
For those of you who have issues, a polite, diplomatic, open dialogue with the vendor should get them resolved.
In reply to Allright, As an "Esteemed" by bourg01
Can't argue with success Shawn, in fact I just picked up ( this VERY day) a handful of watches from my watch maker Keiji. I asked him flat out - IDC is the only dial refinisher he has ever used.
He says - "service is much faster than it's ever been - especially the last three or four months. I have had trouble but the only one they didn't make right was one of yours " (mine - Geoff's). In fact, he went on to say, that he had sent one of mine back - one I was picking up today - because HE didn't like it and it was back, redone in two weeks.
I'm now firmly in Shawn's camp, and would not be interested in persuing any action.
In reply to Can't argue with success by Geoff Baker
Hey Geoff,
My point is simply that I don't have any issues with IDC.
I'm not trying to defend IDC because of what's been said here, there just not my issues, so there's no camp to be in.
Simply put, I would recommend IDC to any that ask. I just don't think those making the negative comments didn't want to hear that so I didn't comment until the thread started, IMO, crossing the line and it was obvious others were looking for my thoughts.
I think William said it best when he commented that we're not here to implement some of the suggestions that have been made, we're here to dig up Bulova history.
Fifth had a very legitimate issue and I'm sure it will get resolved. I've offered my suggestions via PM that will help him achieve that end.
I think they do quite a fine job. Only three issues I have had is 23 being put on a 17j watch dial (I failed to notice bahhh until i got it), Gruen "Veri-Thin" being put on a "Curvex" Dial and one that took 11 months to be finished....... The other 50 or so I had done were very good. Haven't used for about 6 months now though so can't comment on recent form. I personally still think they are the best. buck for buck as you Americans may say