What would you do?

apsm100 · Dec 8, 2023

Alright so I think this is will qualify as my first "bad" eBay experience. And in all honesty, it isn't that bad.
I bought an 18K P478 JLC from France and just opened up the box to some disappointment.

Looks like a pretty terrible case opening slip.

And from the listing:

The listing didn't include movement photos so I messaged the seller for some, who then opened the watch up-- I am assuming this is where the scratch happened.

I showed the seller the scratch and he is swearing he didn't cause it, and it was probably customs (the watch was bundled up in inches of foam and the box was unopened), or that I scratched it when unboxing (okay...).

What would you do here?
I am leaning towards letting it go and chalking it up to bad luck. I overpaid for the watch as usual but I was excited to own an 18K JLC (albeit French cased).

filfb22 · Dec 8, 2023

Hello there.

I would contact eBay Customer service as soon as possible and ask them what are the options on the table. Explain your case to them and usually they can assist you in some ways.

Btw, never heard of customs checking the inside of a vintage watch...

Good luck 😉

apsm100 · Dec 8, 2023

filfb22
Hello there.

I would contact eBay Customer service as soon as possible and ask them what are the options on the table. Explain your case to them and usually they can assist you in some ways.

Btw, never heard of customs checking the inside of a vintage watch...

Good luck 😉

Looks like my only option is to open up a return and get eBay involved. 😗

Bruce235 · Dec 8, 2023

Is it the same back? I can't line up any "before" scratches.

apsm100 · Dec 8, 2023

Bruce235
Is it the same back? I can't line up any "before" scratches.

They are the same. The lighting can hide scratches away pretty well.

Shot of the dial.

SC1 · Dec 8, 2023

Me, I'd ask for some coin back to offset the heartbreak otherwise ramp it up to eBay support.

impalla62ss · Dec 8, 2023

Open up a "object not as described" case. I have been on both sides of one, and have never taken it personally. Ebay will most likely find in your favor.

apsm100 · Dec 8, 2023

impalla62ss
Open up a "object not as described" case. I have been on both sides of one, and have never taken it personally. Ebay will most likely find in your favor.

Alright just opened up a return. I will update here.
Given the sellers responses to my messages I assume he will take it very personally. 👎

apsm100 · Dec 9, 2023

And a very professional response to my return (translated from French):

Good evening, I swear on my honor that I am not the author of this scratch. I even took photos on the day of shipment; this scratch did not exist. If the package wasn't opened, the only explanation is that the buyer scratched the watch while opening the package. I am not responsible. I have always had 100% positive ratings because I am honest and serious. Now you are asking for a discount!! This is the last time I sell outside of France. Please be honest.

And a private message (translated from French):

Hello sir,

You are trying to make money with me. I am not responsible for this scratch, I swear! I am a private individual, not a professional. You paid customs fees, and maybe you didn't calculate them. Now you want me to give you money back. I am not responsible for this scratch.

I have photos as evidence; they are dated.

Alrighty then. 🙄
I would have been okay with a small refund and a "sorry I scratched the watch" message, but here we are.

apsm100 · Dec 9, 2023

As an aside, I use chatgpt for translation (amongst other things) and I love how it titled my chat:

filfb22 · Dec 9, 2023

As someone who deals with the public quite regularly I wouldn't react in this specific way. Maybe translation mispresent a bit the tone, maybe not... I do not speak French.
If the item is well packaged you should not have any kind of issue with customs.

Buying through eBay means you have some kind of insurance on your purchase. I'd contact them and use it in some ways, at the end you paid for a scratch-less item and did receive one that was not as such, even if it was a third party responsibility it is not related to you by any means.

DaveK · Dec 9, 2023

apsm100
As an aside, I use chatgpt for translation (amongst other things) and I love how it titled my chat:

This is the correct translation

apsm100 · Dec 9, 2023

filfb22
As someone who deals with the public quite regularly I wouldn't react in this specific way. Maybe translation mispresent a bit the tone, maybe not... I do not speak French.
If the item is well packaged you should not have any kind of issue with customs.

Buying through eBay means you have some kind of insurance on your purchase. I'd contact them and use it in some ways, at the end you paid for a scratch-less item and did receive one that was not as such, even if it was a third party responsibility it is not related to you by any means.

Yeah as a seller I know it's pretty anxiety inducing to put trust in a stranger to tell the truth. But I hate when people lie or shift blame for no apparent reason.

I woke up to several messages today, and one Whatsapp message (yep).
He is conceding and is asking for how much of a refund I want.
How much do you think is fair?

filfb22 · Dec 9, 2023

apsm100
Yeah as a seller I know it's pretty anxiety inducing to put trust in a stranger to tell the truth. But I hate when people lie or shift blame for no apparent reason.

I woke up to several messages today, and one Whatsapp message (yep).
He is conceding and is asking for how much of a refund I want.
How much do you think is fair?

I’m a pretty serious - some say limited minded - individual. For me is either a complete yes or a no… said so, the amount is up to you, you have to take into account how much you want to keep that watch, and how much such a scratch (and sub-optimal seller) would influence your value of the watch.

At the end, since it is not something very noticeable, and if it bothers you too much you can always have it a little bit polished, I’d ask an amount that would support the total cost of a service.

I’d wait also for other members opinion to be honest!

Good luck!

apsm100 · Dec 9, 2023

filfb22
I’m a pretty serious - some say limited minded - individual. For me is either a complete yes or a no… said so, the amount is up to you, you have to take into account how much you want to keep that watch, and how much such a scratch (and sub-optimal seller) would influence your value of the watch.

At the end, since it is not something very noticeable, and if it bothers you too much you can always have it a little bit polished, I’d ask an amount that would support the total cost of a service.

I’d wait also for other members opinion to be honest!

Good luck!

I am not really worried about the value of the watch, since I probably overpaid by about 30% anyways.
It is more about getting some recourse for the damage. I accepted a 175€ partial refund.
Thanks all 😀
I was ready to take nothing!

Bruce235 · Dec 9, 2023

apsm100
I am not really worried about the value of the watch, since I probably overpaid by about 30% anyways.
It is more about getting some recourse for the damage. I accepted a 175€ partial refund.
Thanks all 😀
I was ready to take nothing!

Reasonable outcome. I would look into having a pro work on the back to render it less noticeable.

What would you do?

apsm100

filfb22

apsm100

Bruce235

apsm100

SC1

impalla62ss

apsm100

apsm100

apsm100

filfb22

DaveK

apsm100

filfb22

apsm100

Bruce235

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