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Dishonest Dealer confronted. Now the fun part...

alam
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if those are the top specimens of the litter, then I'll go for a full $$ refund...
 
jrhave2
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I can't stop laughing - my wife would LOVE to punch him in the balls! 馃槨
I tried first to get a refund from him, but he's willing to fight to the death on that one. I suppose I can get a lawyer and/or use my friends at the local news station to pressure him into giving me a refund, but that's a ton of work. If I can find something worthwhile in his collection and get him to a reasonable price, I'd rather do that. Then I will still have a nice watch that (indirectly) came from my wife.
After this transaction, I will never work with him again. That much is certain.
 
Davidt
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All prices are high for examples that are either hugely over polished or redialed.

Get your money back and if you're unsure where to start looking, browse the 'private sales' thread here. Sellers with more integrity, better examples and better pricing.
 
Hijak
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Anyone who wants to charge $950 to service (before parts) a simple three hand watch is a crook in my book! And this was four years ago.
 
Darlinboy
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If she used a credit card, you have another route to get your money back.

None of those watches are worth the prices you've shown. Throwing good money after bad...
 
dougiedude
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+1 on getting your money back first...

THEN think again about getting a replacement from him, who you know you CANNOT trust.

If you love one he has, STILL get back your money, then full detailed pics of everything. He needs to allow you to have the MOVEMENT checked out by a REAL watchmaker, and only THEN consider negotiation for a heavy discount on his list prices...

It would be much easier to use the money to find a nice watch from one of the fellas here...馃憤
 
pitpro
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Darlinboy Darlinboy
If she used a credit card, you have another route to get your money back.

None of those watches are worth the prices you've shown. Throwing good money after bad...
That's the solution!
 
jrhave2
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Unfortunately, my wife paid cash because she didn't want me to see if on the statement. Really at this point my only recourse is getting a watch of legitimate value, or taking him to court. Even then I'm not sure what my chances would be without a written description that I can use as evidence that he was misleading.

Hypothetically speaking - if the Seamaster 321 is heavily polished, what would the value be (roughly)? That's a watch I would wear all the time and not necessarily regret...assuming the movement and everything else is legitimate.
 
alam
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jrhave2 jrhave2
Unfortunately, my wife paid cash because she didn't want me to see if on the statement. Really at this point my only recourse is getting a watch of legitimate value, or taking him to court.

I believe in most states there are consumer protection laws that require merchants to provide a full refund if the item is returned within a given period, normally 30 days -- at least that's the case in the state I reside. The "all sales are final" disclaimer on the sales receipt don't count either.
 
jurisevac@
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Sir, this is lost battle, pull out the most money you can and forget about his store.This is not what you want.
 
Davidt
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Have you get any better pics of the 321 Seamaster? Prices tend to range from around $1800 - 6000. This example, while not quite scraping the very bottom value, is still below average. Possibly worth $2000, maybe a touch more. Better pictures would help.

How much do you have invested so far?

Certainly don't throw good money after bad.
 
Larry S
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Hijak Hijak
Anyone who wants to charge $950 to service (before parts) a simple three hand watch is a crook in my book! And this was four years ago.
Yea he's expensive. I took thee old and complicated watches to him because I didn't know where else to go and he had good press. Again I was really happy with the work. However my issue is not his repair service or his watchmaker. It was his money grubbing attitude, his absolute lack of transparency on the watches he is selling and on that we violently agree. Sounds like the OP shop is a bird of a similar feather. Anyway I've moved on and actually found out that the shop two miles away is dammed good.
 
FullyWound
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I dunno that cal 321 looks cheap... i LOVE the quartz HEUR tho!

and if your wife didn't ask "is that a redial" its not his fault. I say well done him for hearing you out.. and even considering a refund

(tho saying that maybe i'm leaning heavily on the seller to be honest everyone should have a pretty extended returns policy.. dealers should not be hit and run for this very reason...)

HOWEVER dishonest is seemingly an unfair assessment! unless he expressly said..

"look love this is all orriginal lass you and your old codger will love worth 10x what i'm selling it for but me brains a boggle with pickled eels!"

tho i assume he's not a cameo of a cockney (sorry americans thats a londoner trust me @tyrantlizardrex)
Edited:
 
jrhave2
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@alam - I'm checking on this now...but not sure what the process would be to go about filing a complaint. I'll work on that this weekend as well.

@Davidt - $1400 in at this point.

@FullyWound - Well, he sold my wife a reconditioned watch for $1400, and it's worth $750 in top original condition. Can you give me a better adjective? Exactly how low is the integrity bar set for a Dealer, in your opinion?
 
FullyWound
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jrhave2 jrhave2
@alam - I'm checking on this now...but not sure what the process would be to go about filing a complaint. I'll work on that this weekend as well.

@Davidt - $1400 in at this point.

@FullyWound - Well, he sold my wife a reconditioned watch for $1400, and it's worth $750 in top original condition. Can you give me a better adjective? Exactly how low is the integrity bar set for a Dealer, in your opinion?
Ok i get that she was being good to get you a gift but a second hand dealer is gonna be a bit of a minefield... some things will be overpriced! tho im sure he WILL sell it at that... thats his price , and she DID pay!

HOWEVER i do say EVERY seller should have a full and open returns policy for this very reason BUT complaining about his sale price i think is a neigh.. LOTS of people over price their watches they are not "Rip off merchants" SHIT you should come to London you would have a breakdown and your wife would be arrested for serial ball groping (thats like foreplay here!)
 
Larry S
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No offense to any dealers but after the great UG prototype expose a few weeks back and what we discussed here, the bar seems to be pretty low. OP watch was not even close to a decent redial. @jrhave2 that dealer showed no respect.
 
pitpro
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Skip the court thing.
If he won't take it back for refund,
show us some other choices he's
got and we will help with value,
on ANYTHING, lots of smarts here-
 
Larry S
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Name and shame here?
 
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