Bracelet link scam by grey dealer

[gt0279a]

Since there are no internal photos, next they will say the movement costs extra.

[AdamW]

Did they try and sell you rust coating too? Sheesh.

[hondauk]

A few weeks ago I took delivery of a new 39mm explorer from one AD and a new GMT BLNR from another AD. I have a large wrist and always have to add additional links to the bracelets. The first AD supplied the extra link free but the second AD charged me £120 for the extra jubilee links. You would have thought the AD’s would size the watches free of extra cost in view of the amount you are spending.

[iTreelex]

Originally Posted by Bryantto

I do want to share the name of the dealer for the good of members of this forum. After all, the purpose if this forum is to discuss watches and help each other out. I don’t want any of you to get misled by this shady practice. First I want to clear this with the moderator. How do I contact a moderator?

Yet withholds the seller's name...

[islandtime]

Originally Posted by mannyv11

I've never had an AD do this to me and I have bought watches from many different ones

Tesorini in the Bellagio hotel did it. Not all AD's but like with all things it will vary.

[Annan]

This is the first I've heard of this issue. Guess the lesson learned is to do your homework and know how many links should come with the particular reference you are buying. So often in a description you see "all links included" but that apparently does not mean things are 100%. I guess some sellers actually mean "I'm including all the links I have for this watch or all the links I am going to let you have".

[AJMarcus]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

Bobs.....

[Jim Smyth]

Thats a Shaddy thing to do and slimmy as F&#*! I would name the dealer since they claim its their standard practice so other people can also avoid dishonest sellers. Makes me wonder what else do they hold back on.

[javier]

Originally Posted by Bryantto

Beware!!!!

I purchased a Daytona from one of prominent online grey dealers recently and it was supposed to come with 12 links total; however It arrived with only 11. I called them and they said that they purposely take out one link because they always sell watches that fit 7.5 inch wrists max. They said if I want that link, I have to purchase it separately. I think it such a scam.

There is a YouTube video talking about this scam.

Please be careful when buying from grey. I don’t know if all grey dealers do this but the one I used blatantly admits it.


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Question: The watch is new or used…...

[SS Oyster]

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[SS Oyster]

Now how crappy is that? Shipped to fit 7-1/4 to 7-1/2” wrist. Extra links can be purchased separately.

They sale 100% authentic, leaving you to think complete, but when you sell it later here on the forum, you say it’s complete, which turns out is a link short ... making you look shady.

This is a very unprofessional practice!


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[SS Oyster]

Whether Bob’s or not for the OP, looks like Bob’s does this exact thing.

WARNING

BEWARE - make sure to get all your links if you buy from Bob’s.


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[rlx123]

Originally Posted by iTreelex

Yet withholds the seller's name...

I think the point I am trying to get across is to do your due diligence verify numbers of links when buying from any grey dealer.


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[rlx123]

Originally Posted by javier

Question: The watch is new or used…...

Used,
Sized to 7.5 does not indicate how many links. Without trying on the watch we can guess the number of links but there is no way to tell for sure


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[SN13]

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

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This is bait and switch language.

It does not state that watches are shipped WITHOUT the standard quantity of links.

It states they are shipped to fit 7.5".

To me, that means they have sized it for me but all links are included.

Additional links being available for purchase is a separate sentence. Had they wanted them to be linked, a semicolon would have been proper.

[rlx123]

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

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If only they list the number of links included with the watch in the description.


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[iTreelex]

Originally Posted by Bryantto

If only they list the number of links included with the watch in the description.

Thanks for helping OP

[Al1969]

Originally Posted by Bryantto

If only they list the number of links included with the watch in the description.


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[jerryguo]

can you report here so that we can avoid this dealer?


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[McinRolex]

Where are my lawyer friends?

Clearly whoever they are, they will squeeze every profit out of their "customers".

[jcapulet786]

Freaking Bobs man!

[Annan]

Sure enough....had to go check Bob's website to confirm because I could hardly believe it. I've never done business there before and certainly never will in the future. Are you listening to us Bob??

[iTreelex]

Boob's watches man...

[77T]

Originally Posted by Bryantto

The original listing did intricate that the watch will fit wrists up to 7.5 inches. It did not reveal that it is one link short of the original count. So even with one link short, it will fit 7.5 inch wrist.

Although “scam” might be harsh description, but it’s not good business.

I can’t name the seller

I agree “scam” is harsh. In the original post you said the bracelet was supposed to come with 12 links - but that it came with only 11. I am guessing you surmised 12 links but did not ask.

But you agree the listing was clear about being sized to fit 7.5” wrist.

I understand this is ambiguous but the dealer delivered as promised...a 7.5” sized bracelet on the model they advertised.

Here on TRF a seller must post pictures of the actual watch. That way one can count links or ask “how many?”




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[zengineer]

Originally Posted by Bryantto

The original listing did intricate that the watch will fit wrists up to 7.5 inches. It did not reveal that it is one link short of the original count. So even with one link short, it will fit 7.5 inch wrist.

Although “scam” might be harsh description, but it’s not good business.

I can’t name the seller

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I am having a hard time feeling anything even remotely resembling outrage. If I read a max size note like that in any ad for any brand watch I would assume it has a link or two fewer that from the factory.

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[SS Oyster]

I think a big time supposedly reputable dealer should say whether the watch comes complete or not ... not some sea lawyer language designed to trip you up. I think letting everyone know is good on the OP.

Posting also warns others on here to be wary of hiding things in their disclosures.


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[Annan]

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

I think a big time supposedly reputable dealer should say whether the watch comes complete or not ... not some sea lawyer language designed to trip you up. I think letting everyone know is good on the OP.

Posting also warns others on here to be wary of hiding things in their disclosures.


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This! Be completely up front about what you are selling. Yes indeed Bob includes a disclaimer and it is indeed ultimately incumbent upon the buyer to find it, read it and understand it. But what the hell! This just screams "what can I get away with to make another few bucks?" This is a sale not a "gotcha" contest between seller and buyer.

[RichM]

I wonder when they bought the watch did it have 12 links. I guess will just never know for sure.

OP, thanks for posting it up. It’s a good lesson to learn.

[Gab27]

I don't know if I would call this a scam, but I consider it to be a very deceptive selling practice. Even their "disclaimer" is a bit misleading. Saying "All watches are shipped to fit the average size wrist (7 1/4" - 7 1/2" for men and 6 1/4" - 6 1/2" for women)" could easily suggest to a buyer that they remove the links but they do not withhold them (i.e., they resize the watch for an average size wrist and include the extra links...which is exactly what my dealer did.)

There are reputable secondary dealers that, in verbatim terms, state the exact number of links included with the watch.

[Nikrnic]

That sounds pretty petty but not uncommon for grey dealers. I've heard this many times. Not saying all but I'll bet many more than a few do it to squeeze every dime they can, after all that's their business. I guess the lesson learned is to ask every question you can think of. Too bad but maybe that would a be a good little white lie to say you have an eight inch wrist..

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