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Scammed by private watch seller

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Hi

Just need some advice on a watch listed online but which i privately purchased and paid for by bank transfer upon exchange. Seller was selling a used luxury watch for 1.5k and was advertised in good working order with a recent service, which in luxury watch terms means a full strip and replacement of key parts.

The day after the purchase the watch literally fell apart, with chronographs it can take 24hrs to test the movements etc - it was obviously not in good working order as advertised and in hindsight the seller knew this hence lowering the price and pushing for sale. I took it to the main brand boutique who found no evidence of a service ever and quoted £600 to repair! They said it needs a lot of work not just a sudden small fault

Upon contacting the seller he basically said it was serviced (cant provide any proof) and it was fine when he had it ie 24hours ago!

Do i have any legal rights given it was a private sale? What is the risk if i warn others not to deal with him on social media as he mentioned selling other watches? I also know where he works

Thanks

Comments

  • pinkshoes
    pinkshoes Posts: 20,550 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    The watch needs to be as described.

    Do you have the written details showing it is in good working order and serviced?

    Did you collect the watch from the seller's property?
    Should've = Should HAVE (not 'of')
    Would've = Would HAVE (not 'of')

    No, I am not perfect, but yes I do judge people on their use of basic English language. If you didn't know the above, then learn it! (If English is your second language, then you are forgiven!)
  • tacpot12
    tacpot12 Posts: 9,255 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    There is a risk that you libel the seller if you post details that are not true on Social media.

    You should be ok if you confine your comments to the facts: Seller said the watch had been serviced, but following fault x occurring, the watch manufacturer's confirmed that the watch had never been serviced (don't take the boutique's word for it, go to the manufacturer and get them to check their service records. They will either have a service record or they won't), and seller could provide no evidence that it had been serviced.


    I wouldn't post anything on social media until you have decided that you are not going to sue the seller for the mis-description of the watch's condition. Personally, I would sue them for describing it as being in good working order when it was not. I would not base my case on whether the watch had been serviced or not. Your assertion that a service has a specific meaning in the world of luxury watches is spurious unless there is some industry code of practice that you can point to as evidence.
    The comments I post are my personal opinion. While I try to check everything is correct before posting, I can and do make mistakes, so always try to check official information sources before relying on my posts.
  • pinkshoes wrote: »
    The watch needs to be as described.

    Do you have the written details showing it is in good working order and serviced?

    Did you collect the watch from the seller's property?


    No i met him in a coffee shop but know where he works. Yes i have screenshots of the advert he placed on chrono24 (reputable watch site) which stated it was in "excellent working order". He is now claiming it was bought in good faith and fully operating when i bought it, as i said the defects were not immediately obvious
  • wesleyad
    wesleyad Posts: 754 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts
    A couple of things hurt your claim.

    Firstly you viewed the goods (I assume you viewed before you paid?). This puts less pressure on the "as described" part of the contract. There's a thread about a similar thing regarding a bed that was recently posted:
    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5916436/private-seller-misleading-sale-admits-it-what-can-i-do

    Secondly you mention a price reduction (I take it you mean you haggled?). If so, depending on how much, that could be seen as you agreeing there was a problem and getting a reduction in light of this.
  • motorguy
    motorguy Posts: 22,611 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Hi

    Just need some advice on a watch listed online but which i privately purchased and paid for by bank transfer upon exchange. Seller was selling a used luxury watch for 1.5k and was advertised in good working order with a recent service, which in luxury watch terms means a full strip and replacement of key parts.

    The day after the purchase the watch literally fell apart, with chronographs it can take 24hrs to test the movements etc - it was obviously not in good working order as advertised and in hindsight the seller knew this hence lowering the price and pushing for sale. I took it to the main brand boutique who found no evidence of a service ever and quoted £600 to repair! They said it needs a lot of work not just a sudden small fault

    Upon contacting the seller he basically said it was serviced (cant provide any proof) and it was fine when he had it ie 24hours ago!

    Do i have any legal rights given it was a private sale? What is the risk if i warn others not to deal with him on social media as he mentioned selling other watches? I also know where he works

    Thanks

    Do you have his name and address? I suspect not and i suspect the seller has been careful not to disclose those.

    If you did, i'd be issuing a Letter Before Action asking for the £600 part refund or a full refund within 14 days OR that you will have the watch repaired and take him to court for the £600 costs.

    BUT, i dont think you know enough about him to do that. Knowing where he works isnt going to get you anywhere.
  • When I worked in Asia, the cigarettes came in cartons of 200. There was often a free gift, a watch. The fags would last longer than the watch!
  • motorguy wrote: »
    Do you have his name and address? I suspect not and i suspect the seller has been careful not to disclose those.

    If you did, i'd be issuing a Letter Before Action asking for the £600 part refund or a full refund within 14 days OR that you will have the watch repaired and take him to court for the £600 costs.

    BUT, i dont think you know enough about him to do that. Knowing where he works isnt going to get you anywhere.


    I have his name and work address, his home address is on 192 which i can get by paying for it. He has since not replied to my messages and thinking of starting a small claims court
  • motorguy
    motorguy Posts: 22,611 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I have his name and work address, his home address is on 192 which i can get by paying for it. He has since not replied to my messages and thinking of starting a small claims court

    Oh i definitely would then.

    Letter Before Action requesting he either refunds you the full value and you return the watch OR he part refunds you the full amount. Give him 14 days to resolve it to your satisfaction otherwise you will start legal proceedings to recover the repair costs.

    Then see it through - have it repaired, go through the small claims court to recover the costs.
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