Arguing with Private Seller on Chrono24 - advice wanted

Some good advice here. I don't do expensive watch deals with strangers either. I learnt early on that you always buy the seller in this game (and with vintage synths the same applies). Provenance and an honest seller with integrity that you know are vital before proceeding.

I'm sorry to hear about this 🙁
I think it would help also indetify the seller so we can all avoid this asshole in the future.

With the hourly rate you 're charging, are you maybe Bram M. doing a cashie?

Plenty of responses and time taken to reply to the initial question by members.
Photo’s of the sale item and then the actual item you received now required.
Note of advice: always video the opening of your package once it arrives. Time stamped etc, useful if things aren’t what they should be.

Thanks everyone again for the replies here - I really appreciate the quantity and quality of responses and I can tell there was a lot of effort put in to help me. Luckily, it looks like my credit card company is willing to step in with the appropriate evidence.

Shabbaz - maybe you should think about law school, you seem to have a real knack for it.

I had to check the transaction again and actually did not use PayPal as I thought (unfortunately, it seems), but I called my credit card company (USAA) and they were great. They are raising a dispute with Chrono24 and will collect all of the evidence I have gathered to do their own investigation. At the conclusion of that, if they rule the transaction was indeed fraudulent, USAA will ask Chrono24 to refund me and will refund me themselves if Chrono24 refuses. Grand Central Watch in NYC had previously offered to write a letter disputing the NOS condition so I think that together with my pictures and chat history will be enough to get my money back. One glaring detail was a large scratch and small hair that was visible on one of the watch hands that my watchmaker pointed out and took a zoomed in photograph of (that was not visible in the ad’s photographs)

I’m still at work at the moment but will upload photos and try to find details on the seller when I’m home so others can hopefully avoid this situation.

Edit: realized my original post said several thousand, the actual amount paid was just over $1,000 after the original negotiating took place

Not that any amount spent is insignificant, but one thousand is quite different than several thousand. Glad to hear it wasn’t more, and hope you find resolution.

I’ve had a few transactions go south on PayPal and my credit card defended me. Provide everything of significance. I believe I had an email that fairly well summarized how I was cheated and that was on the top of the stack. You may still need evidence of the return, so make sure you comply strictly with those requirements on Chrono24.

Agree 100%. It's totally out of control on eBay. "New Old Stock" to me means "never sold." eBay agrees: I looked it up on their policies page. There are many SS Rolexes on eBay selling at 2 x MSRP, and advertised as "new," "brand new," and "new old stock." I often write the sellers and say "Since it's NOS, the warranty card is blank, right?" If they respond, they'll say something like "Well, it's in NOS condition." Great.

This example is not necessarily a reason to completely omit them from being used for watch hunting and buying. Just be aware there is a difference between an established company and private sellers. Also, check reviews and how long they have been a selling member on the site. But, it is your money, time and stress on the line so it is ultimately up to you.

I wonder what the reaction of Chrono24 Customer Service would be, if someone sent them a link to this thread - and someone at Chrono24 actually read through the comments?

It seems to me that within this story lies an opportunity for them.

It's hard to imagine that "escrow service" and "Trusted Checkout" implies that, when there is a dispute, Chrono24 essentially ignores it and informs the buyer and the seller to sort things out unmediated and to let Chrono24 CS know how things turn out?

I'll send them the link and either something or nothing will result. 😉

So sorry you're having to deal with this. This is why I only buy from US sellerw

NOS is acceptable in some situations but not IMO when it comes to watches. A better term that used to be used was Dead Stock. This is NOS