The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I recently thought I'd take the plunge and buy a new knockaround watch on the dreaded eBay, so I thought I'd go for another Steelfish. (I've not mentioned it on here before as I was just waiting to get it and then post some surprise pics along with a "great buyers experience" post!)

Anyway, I paid a nice cheap price - less than half the UK list - from a company (who will remain nameless but had lots of excellent feedback) on eBay and everything was going fine..... until I get a call from Fed Ex telling me that the "watch I sent for repair is now returning from the States" and that they just need my proof of purchase to confirm the original purchase date. (i.e. ensuring that it was indeed a return).

Obviously at this point I was a bit confused as the piece I was buying was new. So it appears that this company has either made a genuine mistake with their labelling, or they have somehow thought they were "doing me some kind of favour" by misrepresenting the contents. Yeah BRILLIANT thinking.

I should point out here that UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES did I ask or encourage them to misrepresent the value in any way. My only correspondance with them was to ask for a postage quote, and then to ask for the tracking number. Hell, they even stated on their auction that they will never misrepresent values, etc, and that bidders are responsible for all customs charges in their own countries, etc.

SO WHY THE HELL DID THEY DO IT THEN??????

Basically my new Steelfish is now in customs-limbo and reading elsewhere on the net I have heard that people in this situation have sometimes been charged VAT and duty on what would be the FULL UK PRICE and not what they actually paid!!! That could amount to a fair bit of cash....

Total and utter idiots.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Hope it works itself out Driver8.

I think that you should name the seller - many people use eBay and forewarned is forearmed. You made it clear that it could be an honest mistake, so people can make their own decisions, but it's something that I'd want to know.

Thanks Roff and I take on board your point about being forewarned etc, but if it all goes belly up I may still have to attempt to get a refund, so I don't really want to be naming and shaming whilst it's still an active issue for me.

If it all sorts itself out OK, and it turns out to be a genuine mistake that gets rectified quickly, I'll be reporting as such on here. And of course if I get stitched up for huge disproportionate taxes and/or no refund I'll be reporting that as well!!

I just felt the need to haul the old soap-box out and have a general rant earlier!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Point taken - get resolution before stirring pot.

Driver8, Wow those flaming bastards!!!! I hope it gets resolved soon. Good luck my man.

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Naviman

I feel for you Driver8 and seem to remember the wording about "not asking about falsifying the customs declaration" from my recent search for a deal from across the pond.

As you say they maybe thought they were doing you a favour! A*se!

I have to say that I find FedEx to be cr*p too - my Monty spent a long weekend in Stanstead when they lost their calculator & couldn't sort out how much duty I had to pay! So even without the extra hassle FedEx are not the people you want on the end of the 'phone when you're trying to sort the mess out!

I don't know what to suggest either - one tack may be to go off your head but I guess all they have to do is open the box and see all the new paperwork etc.

I wish you luck sorting it out - sounds like a job for the seller!

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Aerospace Titanium & Gold - Grey Face
B-1 on Fighter/Blue Shark - Blue Face
Emergency on Pro - Yellow Face

To complete the collection:
Navi 01 46/Black leather - Black/white
Montbrillant Datora/Navi - White face


LEARNING.......EVERY DAY

Thanks for the words of support guys! I appreciate it.

But there may be a development - I had another chat to Fed Ex today and they actually seemed quite helpful this afternoon and said it'd probably be on it's way to me within a day or so! I wasn't expecting anything so soon, especially after reading some of the horror stories on the net. Maybe they contacted the vendor and sorted it all out......

Either way I won't be counting any chickens until it's strapped firmly on my wrist, but I'm keeping things crossed!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Bummer.

Sorry to hear of your issue. No way for someone to label "gift" on the package when purchasing outside of the UK?

~Brian

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Breitling Super Avenger
Fortis Flieger Chronograph
Rolex Submariner Date

That's fraud!

Yeah, and mail fraud is not something I fancy getting involved with!! Hence I never ask anyone to misrepresent values on things I buy and I certainly never misrepresent values on things I sell.

I'm usually just happy enough to pay lower prices than here in the UK, so even with VAT on top I am still quids in.

Assuming my Steelfish arrives OK on Monday I will have paid less than half the RRP in the UK. So even with VAT it's still going to be a very cheap piece. Excellent!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Really sorry to hear that Driver. Hope it turns out to be perfectly ok on Monday!

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

Thanks Aleister, I'll keep you all posted!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Good luck Diver.

Sorry to hear that Driver, I hope it ends out well!

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Certified watch nut.

As it is Monday today, I sincerely hope you got your Steelfish without any problems today, Driver.

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid