RESOLVED - First Purchase DOA, during return watch seized by customs, need a refund or replacement

[Hesekiel]

We are watch enthusiasts, and we have each others' backs, including trusted dealers that have earned their reputation. I can assure you that they want to keep it and if there's a genuine claim, a fault of the TD in regard to an order, he or she will try their best to solve it. But on the same token we have to understand the risk involved in this hobby. We are walking a fine line in many aspects; we assume the risk to get a watch that has issues, we often have to deal with long delays, quickly changing availability, and other road blocks like that. It can be nerv-wrecking, disappointing, frustrating, and there's nothing we can do about it. What is under our own control is how we react to it and how we approach a solution.

 

[Hunterkm]

We are watch enthusiasts, and we have each others backs, including trusted dealers that have earned their reputation. I can assure you that they want to keep it and if there's a genuine claim, a fault of the TD in regard to an order, he or she will try their best to solve it. But on the same token we have to understand the risk involved in this hobby. We are walking a fine line in many aspects; we assume the risk to get a watch that has issues, we often have to deal with long delays, quickly changing availability, and other road blocks like that. It can be nerv-wrecking, disappointing, frustrating, and there's nothing we can do about it. What is under our own control is how we react to it and how we approach a solution.

I agree 100%, I was unable to find anyone locally that would even look at the watch, trust me, I didn't want to send another watch back and start this process all over again.

 

[Tucker]

I agree 100%, I was unable to find anyone locally that would even look at the watch, trust me, I didn't want to send another watch back and start this process all over again.

I’m calling BS on that. You are in Florida, correct? In a major city, correct?

 

[Hunterkm]

I’m calling BS on that. You are in Florida, correct? In a major city, correct?

That is correct. Tampa. Went to 5 different watch repair shops, once they heard replica they would touch it.

 

[Tucker]

That is correct. Tampa. Went to 5 different watch repair shops, once they heard replica they would touch it.

Call around. In a metropolitan area that big there will definitely be watchsmith who will work on a replica. If not, ship it within the US to a SV from the RWI SV list. I can get making the mistake once, but the second one is entirely on you. It was a bonehead move.

 

[tkingjr]

@Hunterkm
Look online and on RWI for a watch maker that will work on Reps. Ship the watch and it will get repaired. I have had many repaired without an issue. Keep in mind you are buying illegal counterfet watches. It is not like shopping on Amazon.

 

[bhehe6813]

Call around. In a metropolitan area that big there will definitely be watchsmith who will work on a replica. If not, ship it within the US to a SV from the RWI SV list. I can get making the mistake once, but the second one is entirely on you. It was a bonehead move.

This isn't surprising at all, the number one issue is parts. So if the watchmaker doesn't already do reps, how is he going to have rep parts? How is he going to order gen parts without a serial number (rolex, iwc, omega, etc all require a serial to order parts, even if you're a watchmaker)?

 

[Fiddo]

Read through both threads. Seems like the OP buys a lot of watches? Maybe he encountered some bad luck on two of them. Regardless, after the first issue shipping a watch back to Puretime, why would you ship another one back to China? We have US based watch repair folks here on RWI. I'd use one of those next time.

 

[shyreplover]

Spending 60 usd to ship the watch back plus the waiting time (2 months+?) and the customs risk (china and us) is really not cost effective compare to sending the watch to this forum's many watchmakers.
Yes they charge a lot to service your watch. BUT, that cost can be recouped when you sell the watch later on. Just keep the receipt.

Investing on a caseback opener is also a good investment in the long run. Your dead watch might have a screw loose stuck in the rotor.

Best of luck on your claim to the dealer, hopefully you get some of your money back.

 

[chocolito]

Need some help here RWI team, tried CTime for the first time and watch showed up DOA. Asked for a US based address for return and thay said I had to ship back to China. Well, it got seized in customs and now they are telling me I am out the money for the watch (Royal Oak 41mm 1017 ALYX 9SM SS APSF $508.00) plus the $66.00 it cost me to ship the watch. I am requesting the credit towards a new watch or a refund for the watch and shipping. Am I wrong? Should a trusted dealer on this site be responsible to get us a watch that works or provide a US based address for returns so we do not risk a loss such as this?

Lesson 1) NEVER send a watch back to China. Lesson 2) TD'S WILL sometimes SEND YOU JUNKERS .Lesson 3) ALWAYS understand you'll need to have a contingency plan , and $$$$$ set aside to service repair a watch Lesson 4) Get the watch repaired yourself . Lesson 5) REMEMBER these watches are made in a Chinese chicken shack .A TD is just as likely to send you a DOA watch , a watch needing repair as any other source .Anybody who tells you different is telling you porkies .

 

[chocolito]

Lesson 1) NEVER send a watch back to China. Lesson 2) TD'S WILL sometimes SEND YOU JUNKERS .Lesson 3) ALWAYS understand you'll need to have a contingency plan , and $$$$$ set aside to service repair a watch Lesson 4) Get the watch repaired yourself . Lesson 5) REMEMBER these watches are made in a Chinese chicken shack .A TD is just as likely to send you a DOA watch , a watch needing repair as any other source .Anybody who tells you different is telling you porkies .

Oh and lesson 6) If you start a thread about a TD supplying poor watches , or a poor service .Expect a torrent of abuse from other members in defence of the TD , and posts calling you an idiot or a troublemaker.

 

[CTime]

We did offer OP a local repair watchsmith to take a look, his watch stopped working somehow. @WatchSmith.US I believe you are able to fix it. But OP insisted to ship back and thought we shipped a broken watch at the first place no matter we made sure many times. It's also our problem that we didn't make it clear in the refund announcement, will update that soon. We also offered OP 50% money as a discount of this missing watch, just we haven't reached a consensus.

 

[WatchSmith.US]

I don't think any TD would intentionally ship a junker. That's way too much headache for them. As stated, these watches are built with very little quality control, no inspection teams like the Swiss have, and anyone buying them must understand and accept the risks involved and be prepared to have them repaired when/if something goes wrong. People also try their best to ripoff TDs by making false claims, so when something goes wrong it's an awkward situation for all parties.

 

[chocolito]

I don't think any TD would intentionally ship a junker. That's way too much headache for them. As stated, these watches are built with very little quality control, no inspection teams like the Swiss have, and anyone buying them must understand and accept the risks involved and be prepared to have them repaired when/if something goes wrong. People also try their best to ripoff TDs by making false claims, so when something goes wrong it's an awkward situation for all parties.

I agree with all that , but i've had numerous watches from TD's with an obvious mechanical fault/faults .These are mechanical faults that would taken someone who handles the watches regularly 5-10 seconds to find whilst checking the watch . They're also faults that didn't happen due to a bumpy ride in transit from China .The watch shouldn't have been sent out fullstop . However as you also said you're buying a fake Chinese watch with little care for production line QC . No use sending the watch back to China , moaning to the TD .Much better to accept you're dealing with an illegal business run by a criminal enterprise, and that your buying counterfeit goods .So get the watch fixed yourself !
You're going to get the ocassional junker , so have a contingency plan ($$$$$), and expect you may have to service/repair your replica .
I don't think there are many people trying to rip off TD's to be honest .They are in the main just disappointed customers left bereft that their A+++ super clone isn't working properly .
A disappointed customer who has zero knowlegde of watches , and has been taken in by the slick marketing, and online hyperbole that surrounds rep watches nowadays.

 

[Soundriver]

Or maybe he's just a moron ?

 

[j21]

Misleading and unfair title imo

Ctime's service is first class, and 110% trusted

Same thing has happened to me also in the past (from another dealer,just to be clear), btf Daytona received DOA, sended back and caught from customs for inspection. Should i had blamed the dealer and demand a new watch and call him untrusted? Lets be serious...

Take the 50% refund bro, and please never send watch back to China

 

[evilgenius88]

Never ceases to amaze me how some folks think acquiring contraband items from the other side of the world should work the same as Amazon Prime. Grow some street smarts. Or just use the damn search function

 

[Cheesegrater]

That is correct. Tampa. Went to 5 different watch repair shops, once they heard replica they would touch it.

Oh there you go. you have 5 different shops that are enthusiastic about reps.

Problem solved.

 

[Jaysn0w]

I think and believe that we all know that replicas are not a substitute or will be in PAR with the original in terms of reliability accuracy......


just think... years if not decades or research development and experience cant be a 100% SUBTITUTE for the real DEAL...


just a disclaimer... bought a PPF 5712 from pure time... and yes it has some issues... moon phase botton does not work.... yes i emailed them, they told me to check the local watch maker to repair it... at my cost... yes it does void or negate "TD warranty" .... but i did know the risk.....

did i rant? no... i just informed via post... but did not point to who was liable......i did use it for a good 3 months before it failed on me...


its been with the local watch service for 2 months now hahaha... yeah. i did know the risk in buying a NEW MOVEMENT in terms of reliability... so thats why im not losing any sleep.....yes im disappointed 700++ usd is still a lot of money.... did i enjoy it while it was okay? yes... was it worth it?....definitely haahahaa... the experience of opening and tinkering....hahaha

 

[evilgenius88]

I think and believe that we all know that replicas are not a substitute or will be in PAR with the original in terms of reliability accuracy......


just think... years if not decades or research development and experience cant be a 100% SUBTITUTE for the real DEAL...


just a disclaimer... bought a PPF 5712 from pure time... and yes it has some issues... moon phase botton does not work.... yes i emailed them, they told me to check the local watch maker to repair it... at my cost... yes it does void or negate "TD warranty" .... but i did know the risk.....

did i rant? no... i just informed via post... but did not point to who was liable......i did use it for a good 3 months before it failed on me...


its been with the local watch service for 2 months now hahaha... yeah. i did know the risk in buying a NEW MOVEMENT in terms of reliability... so thats why im not losing any sleep.....yes im disappointed 700++ usd is still a lot of money.... did i enjoy it while it was okay? yes... was it worth it?....definitely haahahaa... the experience of opening and tinkering....hahaha

Buying a rep watch is like getting an oldtimer car: it's not as dependable as a new Toyota or BMW. There will always be some issues, small or maybe big. But that's the trade-off. Reps are indeed not a 1:1 substitute for a 10K Swiss watch meant to last 50+ years. Ours is an under-the-radar game with risks. This should be a standard warning whenever newbies sign up