So in a twist of birthday luck (with a bit of frustration) through a botched purchase, I wound up on the receiving end of a free Tissot automatic chronograph.
Seller described the watch in excellent condition, hardly worn, polished case, new strap, etc. Price was on the lower end of the resale market for stated condition, but not suspiciously low given it came with no box/papers mildly crappy pics. I sent a message asking a question and in the seller's reply he says one buyer already back out on payment, but if I was interested I could have it at the price they agreed upon if I picked up shipping. I tell him if it's how he describes and is functional, he has a deal. He then goes a step further and changes his mind, he's got shipping covered and a money back guarantee if I'm unhappy. "I promise you won't be disappointed!" Sweet.
Package arrives a week later. I open it up... and this thing is a mess. The strap is certainly new, but virtually every part of this case has scratches and scuffs clearly visible at every angle. In literally every crevasse on the caseback, around the lugs, in the clasp and all around the crown and pushers there is packed-in and dried skin/sweat mung; thick. And to top it all off two of the chrono registers don't even remotely reset to zero. I immediately send a polite message explaining why I'm not keeping the watch, listing all the reasons how its condition isnt how he described it and tell him to send me his return address so I can get my refund. His reply - "What did you expect for the price you paid? There's a reason it wasn't $X". I ask what's the point of stuff like this, why bother lying and waste my time and respond to my claim I'm going to file. He tells me to be careful, he "didn't lie", but as of the day before the funds were no longer available, so it might take time. I file, and fairly quickly I get an instant and full refund with a notation to keep the watch.
Well, at the price it was before I got screwed, but free?? All I need to do is remove the movement and realign the registers myself, ultrasonicly clean the case and clasp, do a polishing job easily achievable for a man in my field, recleaning and boom. Like new for FREE! Not bad, not bad at all....
What are some killer deals you've been able to snag after you thought trouble was ahead?
Seller described the watch in excellent condition, hardly worn, polished case, new strap, etc. Price was on the lower end of the resale market for stated condition, but not suspiciously low given it came with no box/papers mildly crappy pics. I sent a message asking a question and in the seller's reply he says one buyer already back out on payment, but if I was interested I could have it at the price they agreed upon if I picked up shipping. I tell him if it's how he describes and is functional, he has a deal. He then goes a step further and changes his mind, he's got shipping covered and a money back guarantee if I'm unhappy. "I promise you won't be disappointed!" Sweet.
Package arrives a week later. I open it up... and this thing is a mess. The strap is certainly new, but virtually every part of this case has scratches and scuffs clearly visible at every angle. In literally every crevasse on the caseback, around the lugs, in the clasp and all around the crown and pushers there is packed-in and dried skin/sweat mung; thick. And to top it all off two of the chrono registers don't even remotely reset to zero. I immediately send a polite message explaining why I'm not keeping the watch, listing all the reasons how its condition isnt how he described it and tell him to send me his return address so I can get my refund. His reply - "What did you expect for the price you paid? There's a reason it wasn't $X". I ask what's the point of stuff like this, why bother lying and waste my time and respond to my claim I'm going to file. He tells me to be careful, he "didn't lie", but as of the day before the funds were no longer available, so it might take time. I file, and fairly quickly I get an instant and full refund with a notation to keep the watch.
Well, at the price it was before I got screwed, but free?? All I need to do is remove the movement and realign the registers myself, ultrasonicly clean the case and clasp, do a polishing job easily achievable for a man in my field, recleaning and boom. Like new for FREE! Not bad, not bad at all....
What are some killer deals you've been able to snag after you thought trouble was ahead?