Wish I Could Be More Positive

[Slugger]

First, I think I would like Andrew, if we ever met. We corresponded several times and he was always responsive.

The problem is, I was excited to learn I could grab a VSF 116610LN. I figured, though I really had no interest in the watch (I wear gen watches) it had trade value.

I’m a retired surgeon and “fiddling around” with watches seemed like a fun hobby. The fact my family was in the watch business for five generations definitely was an incentive to tinker with watches rather than paint. The fact I have no clue what I am doing was all the incentive I needed to play with low-value reps.

Unfortunately, the watch I bought from Trusty arrived DOA. It would run but then stop. It didn’t keep time. No way I’m trading this clunker.

Andrew’ response was not encouraging. Paraphrasing, “Get it serviced.”

Notwithstanding, my purchase took months from when I placed the order to finally receiving the watch, Andrew’s lack of concern that he sent me a paper weight left me feeling like I’d been had.

I’d love to write a positive review but I can’t. I think I’d like Andrew but I was, and remain, very disappointed.

 

[inGloM0de]

Very sorry to hear that, wish he was more helpful with the case. Your best bet would be to take it to a watchsmith and see what is wrong with the watch and if it can be repaired or not. If it cannot be repaired I would follow up with Andrew and demand a refund or a replacement.

 

[schlonz]

Very sorry to hear that, wish he was more helpful with the case. Your best bet would be to take it to a watchsmith and see what is wrong with the watch and if it can be repaired or not. If it cannot be repaired I would follow up with Andrew and demand a refund or a replacement.

sorry to say but second part is no good advice
never ever demand anything when corresponding with a TD
ask politely for it or ask about suggestions for resolution but never "demand"

first part is good advice as most likely it will be a minor issue that a watchsmith can easily fix.
Sometimes simply opening the caseback can reveal the issue i.e. something intermittendly blocking the balance wheel. I had anything from pubic hair to loose screws and a slight blowing or tapping (remark - don't touch the balance wheel as it can easily be damaged or use surgical precision when operating in that area) may be enough to get rid of the foreign object and have the watch work again. Doesn't need a watchsmith to identify dirt or loose screws.
If that doesn't help or you do not want to give it a try yourself then take it to a watchsmith and get it fixed and then report back to Andrew what the problem was and what fixing it had cost and ask for his suggestion to compensate your loss. To the least he will offer a partial compensation in form of a credit on your next order.

Sending the watch back to China for repair is no good option as this could result in a total loss on the way in addition to the shipping cost you encounter. To the least it will take months before you have it back in your hands.

You could also consider selling it as defective with a little discount and a proper description of the issues. There are enough guys around who can do any repair on their own and are happy to source a watch at a reduced price.

So all in all, although receiving a defective piece is highly frustrating you still have some options to minimize your loss.
Very unfortunately, encountering a loss is something that will happen to you in the rep game occasionally so better expect it and be prepared for the worst and be happy if it doesn't materialize.

Good luck and don't be demoralized by this event.

 

[Slugger]

Thanks all. Like I said, I like Andrew and do not want to disparage him. I believe we can learn about ourselves and the people we do business with when things go sideways. Worst case, I have a donor watch for projects.

 

[EuroTime25]

These watches get tossed around when shipping. No one is gentle with it. Have it services could be a easy fix. And this is a risk we take when buying reps. Just a dumb question but did you wind it and wear it? Is it automatic or manual? Had a guy ask why his Manual Panerai rep kept stopping after a but, didnt know it wasnt a quartz. Yes dumb question but it happens.

 

[Slugger]

Lol. Yes I wound it. Probably needs an exorcist!

 

[kavorca1]

Lol. Yes I wound it. Probably needs an exorcist!

 

[mech500]

Get it repaired locally or via a forum watchmaker. Don’t send it back. Ask TD for a discount on next purchase.


Sent from my iPhone using RWI

 

[Rx4Time]

Lol. Yes I wound it. Probably needs an exorcist!

Head on over to the watchsmith's and vendors section, locate someone who is in your part of the world and reach out to them to arrange a movement service. Keep documentation of what was done and what you paid and this will be at least partially recoverable in a trade or sale. You should try googling some of the Chinese postal service handling centers and see just how badly the packages are treated. The other option is list it for sale as is and take the hit on what you've spent vs what it sells for. If it's truly a VSF, that's currently a very in demand piece, and even not running properly, you can probably recover 60% or so of what you spent.