Leaving TRF; a different perspective

[susuki1220]

If you are new to the forum it is a must read; if you are a noob to the watch game is it a must read. Warning; very long story.

I've been on the forum for almost 4 years and been trying to learn about watches through the different threads here by TRF members. I'm glad there is a community like this as it benefits all of us in some way or another and truly some very useful information. Only until recently did i start trying to buy and sell/trade some watches.

I'm one of those that doesn't post much but only reads as i feel that i don't have enough knowledge to give back to the community. I even went to one of the local GTG at Beverly Hill held by one of the members here, Markk and was glad that I went as all these people that love watches were there having a good time sharing information because we have the same hobby.

My 1st rolex was a 5500 air king from ebay [ yes i know, it was actually authentic which later was sold to a member on the forum ]

My 2nd watch was the Omega GSOM which i bought from a trusted seller todreamawatch. Funny thing is Sergey sent 2 watches as he sent me the wrong one first and I return one to him with honesty.

My 3rd watch is a Daytona from a local AD, which i loved so much.

My 4th watch is a BLNR with an influence photo by Loevhagen on many of the BLNR + Jubilee bracelet post which means i have to get that combo.

Fast forward to last week is where everything went down hill. I posted a FSOT of my omega GSOM on the forum here to fund a Explorer 2 polar because I caught the rolex fever thanks to TRF . http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=443409


I ended up trading the watch with a member here jmassey215 [Jim] for an exp 2. He provided me many references and claims that he got burn before and want to find out the best way to trade the watch. He suggests to go through a trusted seller here FNFZ4 [Alfred] to do exchange and swap watches. [ Jim also bought the explorer 2 from Alfred originally] I opt out trying to avoid extra shipping fee and handling fee and me being a guy that believes in humanity that i sent him my GSOM first before he shipped his Explorer 2 to me [yes i'm crazy]. In the text message I even said if there is anything that you don't like please sent it back and i will exchange it, and i'm sure he agreed and honor the same, until later he broke his promise

Jim liked the GSOM i sent him because the watch was as described just like brand new without sticker as i wore it for one day and left it in the watch box since. He received the GSOM on 11/21 a Saturday overnight delivery to him. He was able to enjoy the watch over the weekend to accept everything before he sent the explorer 2 to me Monday which i received yesterday 11/24, Tuesday.

When i took out his EXP 2 watch for examination, i found 1 deep scratch on the side of the watch which you can feel with your nail. and a desk dive mark on the clasp. And of course being very picky about my watch i did ask in advance if there was any scratches visible and he said nope and it is also like new and wore twice. [ I actually didn't care about the scratch of the desk dive marks at all because i know i probably will scratch it up myself]



What i found next i couldn't accept as there was a defect on the polar dial. The word "DATE", the letter "A" was missing the bottom left leg. i have ocd.


First thing i did was actually to call RSC in Beverly Hills to see what is wait time and what are my options about the defect. RSC suggested to return to the AD i bought it from since it was fairly new[ 2month ] or the fix was going to be 4 weeks. RSC suggests that because it is a new watch they don't recommend opening it as usually they open the watch for full service but can do it if i really want it to for warranty issues.

Next I called Alfred knowing he was the original trusted seller of this explorer 2. I introduced myself and told him about the defect and I kindly ask if i can exchange for a new one with him, he declined and I totally understand and asks me to take it to RSC. I told him RSC is my last resort and i attempted to ask if the warranty covers the US as the original AD stamp was from Greece. His tone of voice was rude and condescending like i am stupid and asked me probably 3-4 times if i read the warranty card. I replied no as that is why i am asking you the question. He replied 'INTERNATIONAL'. I don't know why he chose this way respond but maybe because i didn't buy anything from him before and now that i called him for something he sold 2 month ago to Jim. That is totally fine but as a noob here if i have something that i don't understand i would like to ask and not get flamed. So my image of a reputable seller on TRF shattered instantly.

I then attempt to call Jim to tell him the situation and that i talked to RSC and alfred. I sent him a few photos of the defect close up so he can see. He replied saying that Alfred said i fake the call to RSC and that i never called and i am trying to scam him and use photoshop and that he wants to wait for Alfred to confirm that the watch is indeed defected from his original post. I told him there is no way for me to touch the dial as i just opened it like 30min ago and the dial is inside the crystal casing and why would i want photo shop and make this stuff up? I asked for to swap our watches back, he declined and said he wants to talk to Alfred first. [ i have the evidence that i indeed called RSC for 3 minutes to ask the specialist the question ]

I text Jim probably 2 hours later asking for a $400 compensation for the defect and i will keep the watch and i will go through the hassle of RSC and warranty and not having the watch for 4 week. If not then we can just swap our watch back as i am willing to lose on the shipping cost and just want the watch back so i can resell it and you can have your exp2 back and you deal with the defect with Alfred or RSC. He declined and this time he said him and Alfred know in fact that i'm trying to distort him money and scamming and there is no defect what so ever originally sold by Alfred and that Alfred couldn't have missed it when he sold it to me.

I sent both of them the original links to Alfred post 2 month ago where he sold Jim the watch. [ Alfred claims he uses stock photos for this thread, i told him look at the serial number and he never replied ]
http://www.uspro693.startdedicated.c...ghlight=216570

Serial number 773***86 on one of the photo and you can see the "A" bottom left leg missing ever so slightly. So open your eyes and tell me this is not the exact same watch that i have. [ funny he tried to say he uses stock photos?? be aware of his future post as it might be stock photos ]


After that, Jim still refused to ship back my watch. Jim threatens that i'm scamming him and no one will believe me my story because him and Alfred is very honest and has all the good reputation in the past on multiple forums. I don't understand why Jim is so afraid to get his watch back?? maybe he knew there was a defect from the beginning?

Lesson learned and i take my loss , i took the risk of the private trade from the beginning and i knew these things might happen. But i still want to give the story so new TRF members can see the power of leverage when you are dealing with a reputable member. Who is to judge reputable people don't do messed up things?

Judge for yourself, knowing all the reputable seller here and claiming having many feedback maybe because they treat you nicely due to business reason $$/item transaction and a smooth transaction. But when things go south i'm not sure if they will back you up or burn you. Talking to people in a condescending way because i'm not in the watch game breaks my little heart and not acceptable to an adult and the fact that the person trading the watch don't even want his own watch back is unbelievable.


TRF is a great place and has lots of knowledge. Please be careful of who you choose to deal with on the forums; reputable or not doesn't mean they treat you honestly and nicely like a human being.

Off to thanksgivings and seriously i'm not sure why Alfred is even in this mess as it is a private trade between me and Jim.

I'm sure i'll be back to TRF when i need my Gold Sub sometime next year

Eddie