The Breitling Watch Source Forums

A while ago, I sold my white dial 6.75, buyer wired the funds and I sent the watch express, all seemed well. The buyer (from another forum) contacts me a couple of days after receiving the watch and asks me how to change the date, saying that it seems stuck. It was fine as I remember before I sent it, so I ask him to make sure the time is not between 10 PM and 2 AM as that might damage the watch, at which he states that is not true and mechanical watches can have the date changed at any time (!)

After sending him the online documentation, he confesses to trying to change the date in that time frame but refuses to acknowledge that he damaged the date mechanism, my thinking at this point is that he attempted to change the mechanism at that time and the date wheel got stuck. So, in order to put this to rest I offer to repair the watch at Breitling or at an independent watchmaker at my cost.

Now here is where it gets odd, he comes back a week later saying the watch is fake (!!) and that the crystal scratches too easily and he wants a refund! naturally I asked him to take it to any Breitling AD for confirmation that it is legit, and offered to transfer the repair fees right away.

Now here is my issue, I have no problem refunding as long as I get what I sent, problem is it looks like I will be getting a scratched watch with a stuck date wheel! I dont feel the person is an out right scammer so i am fairly sure he would send the watch back, only with weir and tear. A part of me believes that the watch might have been damaged in transit, the other feels that he might have just backed out after damaging the watch and wants his money back.

At this point I am thinking of taking my chances and fully refunding him, just to get this over with! or am I being a sucker?

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Certified watch nut.

My opinion on your post is that you are being overly kind (sucker if you like). Your description on the sale was accurate.

He bought it he broke it it's his.

My father was an antique dealer in the 70s (clocks, watches and scientific instruments), above his stall in Portobello Road was this sign.

(not wishing to offend anyone)

"Das delecate clockenwatchenworks ist nitch for gerfingerpoken, snap der springen und bust n bugger up balance mit popenparts und you bought der kaput tikentokon"

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Al

“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes"

Alright, now I'm curious. What does that mean? Don't worry, I don't get offended easily

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"Leave the gun, take the cannoli."

It is 'frankenGerman'....It was over my fathers antique stall upon which he had many clocks and watches.

Roman, read it again ;_)

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Al

“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes"

Your offer to repair the date is more than generous, IMO.

I can completely understand you wanting to put the matter to rest without causing a scene, but the fact that he has come back with two more complaints like that suggests to me that there's not much point trying to keep him happy. Doesn't sound like you're dealing with a reasonable person here, even if he's not a scammer.

This is a tough one. Wow Im just not sure...I will have to think about this one more and get back to you.

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SA-Baton White Dial/ProII
Tissot Le Locle

I think that offering to repair the date at your cost is more than generous. Anything beyond that is too much in my opinion. If the watch was damaged in transit then why did he not bring that to your attention initially when he contacted you about the date being broken? It sounds like from your OP that he did not contact you about further damages until a week later.

Just my $.02

If I buy a car and drive it off the lot crunching the gears because I don't know how to drive stick, and then bump into a few things while I figure out where the corners of the car are then I can't expect the dealer to take responsibility.

I don't see any difference here. The dealership may want to help me out to a degree 'in good faith' and you have been more than generous in doing that with the offer to fix the date that he broke, but there is a limit.

For all you know he is going to send you back a fake or an empty box - the best scammers are the ones who you think can't be scammers!

Agree completely with Roffs last statement. I also agree with most everyone when saying what you have offered is good faith enough. Dont get your self in to a situation that you really dont want to be in.

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SA-Baton White Dial/ProII
Tissot Le Locle

Cutting to the quick - yup....

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Al

“Quis custodiet ipsos custodes"

I believe the guy is a scammer and even if he isn't, I still wouldn't offer him to repair a watch which he broke.

to all the above. It's not even a close call. Be done with him.

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SHARKMAN

I dont know if the situation is ongoing, but obviously you have done more than enough at this point, and I certainly would not give a full refund. JMO

But if the guy refuses to leave you alone, I would just pass him off to a lawyer or other intermediary.

Usually when folks have to repeat the entire chain of events verbatim, they realize how far past the initial problem they really are. It will prob just remind him that the issue is.... HE broke the watch while setting it.

My only concern is that the watch might has been damaged during shipping, which is sellers responsibility.

I have decided to wire him the 700 USD and get this over with.

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Certified watch nut.

You are a better man than me Altair.