Bad Experience with my Clean GMT Purchase - Factory Problem or ...?

[doublemega]

Hey guys,
Have ordered several times from Jtime and Li delivered well on the first two orders.
Have been having trouble with my final order, was wondering if I was alone or if anyone was having the same trouble.
Don't hate on me for being inpatient.
I just want to put this out there to see if there are similar experiences or if the issue is really down to Clean Factory or if I'm being played.
Would like to verify that I have been contacting Li via the correct number and the orders made via the correct website.

Time line as follows:

April 2023
Ordered my Clean GMT Master II in April 2023.
Massive delays in receiving this order - which I was patiently waited for.
Messaged Li once a month - with a promise that the watch will arrive by the end of the month, then the same excuse the month after, and again, and again.

Sept 2023
5 months on
Finally light at the end of the tunnel - received my QC pics.
Looked good and green light given
Watch arrived - but the movement had issues and the watch was BROKEN - had issues with the movement.
I did shake the watch before opening up the packaging and it ran.
However I noted upon unpacking the watch that it could only run for about a minute or two.
Could not be manually wounded, could run for a minute before stopping.

Was asked by Li to fix it at a local watch-smith which he recommended.
Went there, paid around ~US$50 to 'fix' it but the watch still did not work.
Finally sent it back to Li end-September - and he said it would take a couple weeks for the movement to be swapped out and sent back.

Oct 2023
Told by Li that the watch has reached Clean Factory and that the repair will be back by Mid-Nov

Nov 2023
Probed Li again - now promised the watch by the end of the month

Dec 2023
Still waiting on my watch.
Probed Li again - now says that the delay was due to the National Holiday.
I've now googled this -- the national holiday is on the 1st of October.... 2 months ago?!

=========
I know I should be patient - but it was been EIGHT months since I've placed this order for this watch.

Is this a common situation? Or should I be highlighting this to someone in this forum to help investigate?

Is this truly an issue with Clean Factory?

 

[doublemega]

I should add that my experience with my first two orders with Jtime was brilliant.

Been very trusting with him as a result but this experience has definitely thrown me off as I've constantly been given empty promises - to no result.

 

[mclarendude]

You would receive this same treatment from Rolex.... and you would be paying 10x more for it.

There's nothing to investigate. If you do not trust what Li is telling you, then you need to find some other dealer.

Why wouldn't it be an issue with Clean? It certainly is an issue worldwide with the huge lack of competent watchmakers. Do you think your watch is the only one back in for warranty? What control does Li have over Clean Factory and its supply and demand issues?

In conclusion, yeah it sucks, but that's pretty much the norm in the watch world, not just the rep world. You even got lucky enough that the watch wasn't seized when you returned it to Li.

 

[domiffm]

Have ordered several times from Jtime and Li delivered well on the first two orders.

Where are the reviews of these orders?

 

[doublemega]

Where are the reviews of these orders?

Hey all, I'm new here!

Have been hiding in the backgroun

Got myself a AP 15500 ZF a month ago from Jtime - pleasant experience.

Now have got an order in for an Omega Seamaster 300 from ORF but my eyes are stealing glances to the Aquanaut 5167 from ZF.

Obsession is getting real!

Reviewed my first order.
Again - huge emphasis on the fact I had a great experience with Jtime/ Li in my first two orders.

You would receive this same treatment from Rolex.... and you would be paying 10x more for it.

There's nothing to investigate. If you do not trust what Li is telling you, then you need to find some other dealer.

Why wouldn't it be an issue with Clean? It certainly is an issue worldwide with the huge lack of competent watchmakers. Do you think your watch is the only one back in for warranty? What control does Li have over Clean Factory and its supply and demand issues?

In conclusion, yeah it sucks, but that's pretty much the norm in the watch world, not just the rep world. You even got lucky enough that the watch wasn't seized when you returned it to Li.

Appreciate the reply.

I guess I just needed some reassurance from the community and my frustrations got the better of me.

If I was told straight up that it may take months, I would've honestly been happy to just wait it out.

Its just the 'by the end of this month' - and getting that 4-5 times in a row (including the months I spent waiting for the watch to arrive the first time) that gives me a glimmer of hope then the disappointment sets in.

But thanks again for the reassurance.

Will continue to wait patiently and support Jtime/ Li for the great work they do.

 

[mclarendude]

Appreciate the reply.

I guess I just needed some reassurance from the community and my frustrations got the better of me.

If I was told straight up that it may take months, I would've honestly been happy to just wait it out.

Its just the 'by the end of this month' - and getting that 4-5 times in a row (including the months I spent waiting for the watch to arrive the first time) that gives me a glimmer of hope then the disappointment sets in.

But thanks again for the reassurance.

Will continue to wait patiently and support Jtime/ Li for the great work they do.

I'm glad that I was able to give that to you.

I just think that dealers say what the factory tells them, I don't see how they could possibly anticipate the delays.