Expensive watch I don't want.

[HardDrive]

I need you guys to check my head. Not sure I am thinking straight.

About a year ago, I was looking at a nice watch (Omega GMT Worldtimer). I did talk about it quite a bit, and tried one on when we were on a trip to NYC. But I decided it was too large, and I already have an Omega, so I moved on. Well we just had a major anniversary, and my wife bought me the watch without asking me about it. Worse yet, instead of doing any kind of research, just bought it from the small Omega boutique in NYC. It is non-returnable! Exchange only, and its an Omega exclusive boutique. She took a bath on the price, and had it shipped directly to our house. She is out of town, and I ended up having to work from home for 2 days at absolutely the worst possible time from a work perspective to take delivery.

I was/am livid. I would never do something like that. I might buy her an expensive jewelry item without asking, but i would never do that if it was not 100% returnable. I am now stuck with this close to $10k watch that I don't want. I guess I could sell it, but I'm guessing we will lose $3-4k in the process.

Am I wrong to feel angry? I think she was legit trying to do something nice, but the way she went about it was not nice, and frankly stupid. I kind of feel like there was a breach of trust here. No, we are not massively put out by the expense, but WOW are there a lot of other things I could have done with that money.

Am I being a spoiled jerk?

[Seahawk]

She should have bought you a Bobble Head

Take a breath, do not express disappointment. Us Mongo’s often try and solve problems only we see as a problem.

Easy on this one.

[carambola]

Say Thank you, you spoiled jerk

[RNajarian]

Her intentions were good. Wear the watch periodically, eventually gift it to a deserving family member (Graduation, Wedding, major accomplishment), tell them “I want you to have my watch.”

[MRM]

Yes. And Say thank you.

You almost certainly won’t take a bath on it if you go to Timezone.com and sell it. But the money you get in return might not be worth the price. If you have a problem that can be solved with money, you don’t have a problem, you have a pricing issue. Loving wives are priceless. She tried to do something nice for you. Accept it gracefully.

[Geronimo '74]

I’ll take ‘telling her she fuched up and risk being a jerk for life’ for 10.000, Alex.

Dilemma for sure.
Glad I’m not you.
My Omega fits me perfectly.

[Rot 911]

Look at it from her point of view. It sounds like you guys have been married for a while. The longer you’re married the harder it is to find something to buy for the other person for birthday, anniversary, etc. After 20 some odd years, you tend to have everything you want/need. She finally sees you show some excitement about a potential gift. I’m sure she thinks you didn’t buy it because of the cost. Now here is her opportunity to surprise you with something that you really wanted. Be happy that she is thinking about you.

Wear the watch.

[LWJ]

Say thank you. Be gracious. She wanted to show her love.

You are a lucky guy. Suck it up. Wear it with the knowledge that she spoiled the crap out of you.

Sorry you hate it. Sometimes we have to smile and eat a turd.

[greglepore]

Pretty cool gift. Don't blow it. And hold for a bit, it might appreciate.

[Paul T]

Originally Posted by Rot 911

Look at it from her point of view. It sounds like you guys have been married for a while. The longer you’re married the harder it is to find something to buy for the other person for birthday, anniversary, etc. After 20 some odd years, you tend to have everything you want/need. She finally sees you show some excitement about a potential gift. I’m sure she thinks you didn’t buy it because of the cost. Now here is her opportunity to surprise you with something that you really wanted. Be happy that she is thinking about you.

Wear the watch.

Well said. All good advice here. Smile, wear the watch, enjoy life and be thankful you have an awesome loving wife.

[Scott Douglas]

My wife is never around when I'm fondling camera's I'd like to own. I on the other hand, always seem to be the one saying "Let's get that new sewing machine!" when she's looking at them.
And for what it's worth, the sewing machines are 2x's the cost of most of the cameras.

Count yourself lucky to have a wife that is that observant to notice what you're looking at and feels she would like to gift it to you as a surprise.

[McLovin]

I get where you’re coming from.
From a practical standpoint, assuming your funds are all community property, you ended up involuntary spending $5000 for half of something you don’t really want. That’s a waste.
Also, to me it’s not really that reasonable to spend that kind of money on a non-returnable, instantly depreciated item, just for a “surprise.” I suppose that’s a personal thing. But I wouldn’t like that, and my wife wouldn’t like it if I did that to her (she’d rather let me know exactly what she wants, for that kind of money, in exchange for not having the surprise).
But others of course might view it differently.
At this point, though, the deed is done, so no use making it into a negative.

[matthewb0051]

Just say thank you and move on. I don't see any good coming out of this if you take any other COA.

Be thankful she didn't buy you a new Jeep pick-up like my buddy's wife did, without asking. Lucky for him he was able to take it back.

[stevej37]

Wear it for a year or so....then trade it in for a Skagen.

[nvr2mny]

I agree with everyone thats chimed in, except McLovin. It is “only” a few bucks in the grand scheme of things. A wife like you have…..priceless.

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Wear it for a year or so....then trade it in for a Skagen.

I like this too. My missus and I got each other watches for 20th. About 6 years later we realized that neither of liked the watches. Both are gone now. But we still have each other (BARF. Just had to say it.)

[Steve Carlton]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

About a year ago, I was looking at a nice watch (Omega GMT Worldtimer). I did talk about it quite a bit, and tried one on when we were on a trip to NYC. But I decided it was too large, and I already have an Omega, so I moved on.

It sounds like she thought you really liked it and missed the part about you deciding it was too big. Maybe she didn't know about the non-returnable part.

If it were me, I'd be nice about it and exchange it for something you do like.

[911boost]

Say thank you and wear it.

Nothing good comes from being angry.

Or buy "her" a new motorcycle and have it shipped to your house!

[craigster59]

I'm sure that when Joanne Woodward first gave Paul Newman his Rolex Daytona he thought "Oh crap, I wish she'd gotten me the Submariner. Oh well, it's already engraved on the back, can't return it. Might as well wear it".

And $17.5 million later it's an unobtanium watch.

Wear the Omega in good health and keep your marriage happy. It's a small price to pay.

[herr_oberst]

I'll take "White man's burden" for 500, Alex.