First order TrustyTime/Andrew - VSF Submariner 116610LV (Hulk)

[jameslondon]

This week I placed my first order with TrustyTime/Andrew, I have wanted a quality Hulk Submariner rep for a while and was stuck between the ZF or VSF but decided to go with the VSF Hulk.

Despite current conditions I placed my order and paid on 05.05.21 and received confirmation from TrustyTime that payment was successful and that I should have QC pics within 4-12 days.

There has been disruption to the factories due to Chinese Labour Day holiday but even more so, the recent factory raids have apparently directly affected the VSF factory and suppliers that supply to VSF, however my understanding is that VSF reps are still arriving and the factory will be back in full operation from next week.

I plan to update this post along with each stage to log my experience of my first rep purchase with Andrew and my first VSF rep. More updates to follow soon.

 

[generale lyon]

Did you receive QC pics?

 

[jameslondon]

Update:

I feel really uncomfortable with doing business with Andrew (TrustyTime) and for several reasons listed below I have requested a refund from him.


Incorrectly Overcharged

When I went to pay for the watch on Trustytime's website, the order total came to $503. ($468 + $45 shipping) - so when I put in my card details to submit payment for $503. It was to my surprise that my card was charged 3533.24 CNY (approx $548.61) for the transaction.

• The payment was supposed to be in USD, not CNY
• Even if I did agree to pay in CNY, $503 would be roughly 3,239.47 CNY, not the 3533.24 CNY I was charged
• TrustyTime site did not mention the additional $45.61 charges at any point, or even being charged in CNY

Poor QC Process

• The first QC pics TrustyTime sent of VSF Submariner were defective i.e. not matching with pics of the VSF replica on their own website or on forums/boards of VSF Submariners, it had multiple defects including a serious defect that the date window was slanted
• When I gave TrustyTime a RL for the watch he seemed to get angry at me and was short and rude, he asked me 3 times to show you the issue, although I already clearly highlighted the issues with pictures
• As VSF Factory is closed due to raids and the prospect of getting another VSF Hulk was so low I asked TrustyTime if he could change the VSF Submariner over to the same watch but ZF model as it was exactly the same price on their website, TrustyTime responded to me "ok, but NO MORE CHANGES"
• I received QC pics of the ZF model, however the pictures only displayed 1 Date Wheel and the print is not straight on there.
• TrustyTime's QC pics are not to the standard that is expected and provided by other TDs. Andrew only provides one number example on the date wheel. Andrew also takes the pictures with the watches at a slight angle which makes it hard to properly QC them. He also does not provide videos and his photos are not great.

Communication/Trust

• Andrew's communication is quite poor. It is very short (which is absolutely fine) but he can be very rude and for example, asked me 3 times to show the issue although I made it very clear in the first picture
• I have concerns that if the watch was dead on arrival TrustyTime would not be very helpful. I have seen feedback regarding issues others have had with Andrew of the same nature to mine, and it has made me realise that this is not just an isolated case I am experiencing with TrustyTime and, aside from the poor QC on the ZF Hulk this has made me really uncomfortable to complete this transaction with him.

Refund Request

Today I asked TrustyTime what the process would be in order to obtain a full refund from him (the full 3,533.24 CNY that he charged me). My experience has been so bad that I feel this is my only option is to request a refund, and straight my transaction again with a more trustworthy and reputable TD.

I will add another update once I have a response from TrustyTime, hopefully we can cut our ties on this and I can move on and give my business to one of the other RWI TDs who I have had a better experience with such as Hont, Li/Jtime etc.