In one of the swanky malls of Mumbai, spotted this beautiful Xylys wrist watch. Beautiful, swiss made, great quality & superlative services of Titan were the USPs I was sold to.
After a fortnight or so, thought of buying it. Checked online, titan.co.in had the watch at an attractive discount but not the color I wanted. Wrote to titan, if I could get the same model in the color I wanted.
A cold shoulder replied which effectively meant - we sell what we have and not what you want!
My mistake 1 - I still wanted to buy the very watch. So I googled other options.
And yey - this watch is available at one of the Helios stores in Jaipur! Nowhere else in the country! The last piece!
So I hurried and attempted to place order online through the smae Helios site but surprisingly, after the end of the process, there is no option of making payment.
Good part- the site thanked me for providing all the info and assurance to revert. Waited for 24 hours - nobody called.
My Mistake 2 - I still wanted to buy the watch. So I called the Jaipur store.
That person who attended the call was little surprised as to why am I calling him - he is an offline guy. He was also amused to learn that this number is published on their website. He also eductaed me that he doesnt have this watch in store at all! But, but, it is available in the new store which has just opened.
The only positive experience - the guy collected my contact details and assured someone would call back.
Someone did call back the next day - the sales guy from the new store in Jaipur! Must have been deep short of his targets.
Explain him what I wanted - he says its available, at the price I had seen on the site and the same swiss made, great quality and superlative services of Titan! But cant deliver this'global brand' watch from Jaipur to Mumbai.
My mistake 3 - I still wanted to buy this watch. So explored the options -
The solution - deliver it to my friend in Jaipur! The answer - Sure Sir!
How can I make payment to you? Sir, we dont have any online means to collect the payment - replied the guy.
Fund Transfer? Yes Sir, I will forward you the account details. So did I receive the same.
Attempted to register the payee - details are incorrect.Reported this fact - the sale guy says - if its not working, paytm it. Wow! Sure! give me the details and he said - Sir, you already have my mobile number. Pay it to me, I will pay to my company.
hmmm. didnt sound like a great option. So I said not workable, any other option! Yes Sir, Cash On Delivery!
Why are you telling me now I shouted - he says - sir, you never asked.
ufff! so before I place an order is it the same watch im looking at, the same color, the same model, brand new? Yes Sir - came the reply - in writing, on whatsapp.
Okay - so they promptly delivered the watch. My friend paid through his card and collected the watch.
Clicks a pic and sends it to me - aaaannnnddddd - the series seemed different on the warranty card.Smelled a fish!
Tried finding out the difference between the two series - but Google failed!
Called up the sales guy - says sir, both are the same - only difference is the one which you received could be 2/3 years old wherein the one which you wanted was launched sometime back.But dont worry, as there is a three year warranty! I said why should I take chance - you give me the new series, I will pay the difference is price!
The guy retorts - we cant replace the watch bought on discount! I said you never told me this - both old and can be replaced. haa! you never asked, came the reply!
Okay so I now know the reason for an attractive discount! but its a branded watch and everything should be okay even if its little old and there is anyways a Three Years' Global Warranty. Lets live with this!
Finally, I received the delivery of the watch from my friend in Jaipur. The age of the watch was on its face!
Nice little Global Warranty Card had a toll free number and an assurance that for any issue people here will hear you!
So I called up and expained my pain! And yes, the everpresnt mediocrity responds - this is not the right number to speak to! We are giving you other number, pls call up there. Let me spare you all from the routine nonsense I passionately discussed with the lady the other side.
Well! I will have to wear my New Old Watch! May God spare you!
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