Today I asked at a well known high st cobbler/jewellery and watch repair shop etc that also has concessions in a supermarket chain.
The man serving me said, "that will be £11.95, please". He saw the look on my face and added, "that includes a lifetime guarantee". I asked him what that meant and he explained that they would replace the battery for free if I brought the guarantee crard.
I was [shocked] and told him I had paid £2.50 at the local street market. He replied that "they only used cheap Chinese batteries"!
Needless to say, I walked away. AIBU to think £11.99 is a rip off, considering a watch battery is only a cell battery which costs pennies to buy. The only skill here is the instrument needed to open the watch case.
Now i' m talking about a bog standard cheap watch, not the Rolexes/omegas where I have had to pay £30 before, to change the battery. I understand the cases in these premium ranges need specialist equipment.