BEWARE of Authenticwatches.com

[streetfish]

Hi TRF,

Wanted to highlight a recent issue while purchasing a Rolex 116622.

I have been searching the market for some time now for a STICKERED example.

I reached out to them before making the purchase, to confirm their "new" example in stock was in fact STICKERED... see attached:



This is the watch I received, "stickered" in aftermarket plastic wrap, with not a single factory sticker in tact.







After receiving the watch this morning, I reached out to Authenticwatches.com to discuss that this is not the product I was expecting. They went on to state it’s indeed stickered, and that I should have clarified that it was factory stickered.

They are offering a refund, but with a 10% restocking fee...fking ridiculous.

Their manager, Peter Grant was nothing but unprofessional, and went on to state that it's not their problem, as stickers, although not factory, are on the watch...

He also went on to state that in the watch world, stickered doesn’t mean factory stickered.

I will never do business with them again, and highly suggest other TRF members to steer clear.

Anyone have any suggestions as to how I can remedy this issue? Who would I file a complaint with?

Seems like a lost cause....

[ArtNouveau]

If the watch is in pristine condition I wouldn’t sweat it. However I’d agree that the store and its manager deserve a public shaming for stretching the truth and claiming semantics.

[watchdogitalia]

Originally Posted by ArtNouveau

If the watch is in pristine condition I wouldn’t sweat it. However I’d agree that the store and its manager deserve a public shaming for stretching the truth and claiming semantics.

I agree , that is absurd , everyone in the watch business , buyer or seller knows that stickered means FACTORY STICKERS, not plastic saran wrap.

And the 10% restocking fee is adding insult to injury.

[gmtbatman]

Thanks for the heads up. Sorry you had to deal with this. Did you purchase with CC? They might be able to help get the 10% fee waived.

[streetfish]

Originally Posted by gmtbatman

Thanks for the heads up. Sorry you had to deal with this. Did you purchase with CC? They might be able to help get the 10% fee waived.

I originally purchased with my CC, then they called and told me they would only accept wire...Now I know why they have this policy in place.

[Noonan]

Originally Posted by streetfish

I originally purchased with my CC, then they called and told me they would only accept wire...Now I know why they have this policy in place.

They did that cause they didn't want to eat the CC fees on a 9k+ product. Your stickers had nothing to do with it.

[BKhunaB]

No - if you pay on CC you can get a refund from CC issuer. Not so if you wire the money.

[Noonan]

You were expecting full OEM stickers on a watch purchased at a discount from a gray seller?

Sorry, this is nothing to "beware" of.

[jb335]

Originally Posted by Noonan

You were expecting full OEM stickers on a watch purchased at a discount from a gray seller?

Sorry, this is nothing to "beware" of.

Where does he say it was sold at a discounted price?

I think OP has a gripe here. If a seller is clearly stating "stickered" any reasonable person would assume it was OEM stickers.

[Noonan]

Originally Posted by jb335

Where does he say it was sold at a discounted price?

Go on the website yourself and compare their price to MSRP lists.

[streetfish]

Originally Posted by Noonan

You were expecting full OEM stickers on a watch purchased at a discount from a gray seller?

Sorry, this is nothing to "beware" of.

There are plenty of gray sellers that are honest and sell full OEM stickered watches...

In addition, it was clarified that it was indeed "stickered".

[Noonan]

Originally Posted by streetfish

There are plenty of gray sellers that are honest and sell full OEM stickered watches...

In addition, it was clarified that it was indeed "stickered".

Independent gray sellers like the ones who post here, sure. They're getting them direct from ADs with full kits. AuthenticWatches is a very large business that gets their watches from all over. Not really the same to compare.

[streetfish]

Originally Posted by Noonan

Independent gray sellers like the ones who post here, sure. They're getting them direct from ADs with full kits. AuthenticWatches is a very large business that gets their watches from all over. Not really the same to compare.

I'm not sure what your point is. I asked if it was stickered, they replied that it was. I received a non stickered watch and they won't remedy the situation without taking a 1k restocking fee. So yes, I would tell other TRF members to BEWARE.

[Noonan]

Originally Posted by streetfish

I'm not sure what your point is. I asked if it was stickered, they replied that it was. I received a non stickered watch and they won't remedy the situation without taking a 1k restocking fee. So yes, I would tell other TRF members to BEWARE.

TBH, I'd say most here already know to not expect an AD experience from AuthenticWatches. Maybe not? /shrug

[LigerBelair]

Originally Posted by streetfish

I'm not sure what your point is. I asked if it was stickered, they replied that it was. I received a non stickered watch and they won't remedy the situation without taking a 1k restocking fee. So yes, I would tell other TRF members to BEWARE.

Thanks very much for the warning. I'll avoid this - obviously dishonest - business going forward.

[SunTzu]

Originally Posted by Noonan

You were expecting full OEM stickers on a watch purchased at a discount from a gray seller?

Sorry, this is nothing to "beware" of.

I got my 116234 6 years ago like that from a gray seller.

[ERok32]

Originally Posted by Noonan

You were expecting full OEM stickers on a watch purchased at a discount from a gray seller?

Sorry, this is nothing to "beware" of.

This...

[streetfish]

Originally Posted by ERok32

This...

Yes I expect full stickers, when I was explicitly told there were full stickers.

There are countless grey dealers on this forum with stickered watches for sale. I personally have purchased stickered watches from this forum.

So yes, if I’m told there are stickers, I expect stickers (Rolex OEM stickers).

[Psijason]

Ugggghh, awful!!!

[psv]

That sucks.

Note to self: always ask for photos of the actual watch.

Stickers on the dial? That should have been a warning sign.

I hope this gets resolved.

[streetfish]

Originally Posted by psv

That sucks.

Note to self: always ask for photos of the actual watch.

Stickers on the dial? That should have been a warning sign.

I hope this gets resolved.

I learned my lesson, will never purchase a watch without photos of the actual watch!

[Chewbacca]

When I see 'BEWARE' threads around Halloween I get scared.

Regardless, why not return it? Don't they have a fairly easy return policy?

edit: Don't return it if they'll keep $1k.

[streetfish]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

When I see 'BEWARE' threads around Halloween I get scared.

Regardless, why not return it? Don't they have a fairly easy return policy?

They want to charge me a 10% restocking fee, which would be around $1k...

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by streetfish

They want to charge me a 10% restocking fee, which would be around $1k...

Got it.

I'd say that's more of a BEWARE because that's total BS, as opposed to poor use of a preposition by a social media jobber.

[Ssunnylee24]

repeat after me, "buy the seller".

however, is it in "brand new" condition? if so whats the problem, if not that is false advertising.

[MattyL147]

That's BS. Stickered means stickered.

[bonatto]

Why buy without detailed photos?

[streetfish]

Originally Posted by bonatto

Why buy without detailed photos?

Now I know... never again.

[ArtNouveau]

PS: their homepage says “No Restocking Fees.” I would send them a link to this thread to show how their name is being put in the dirt, as it should be.

[streetfish]

Originally Posted by ArtNouveau

PS: their homepage says “No Restocking Fees.” I would send them a link to this thread to show how their name is being put in the dirt, as it should be.

Fine print says only items over $5k... there is a 10% restocking fee.

I get it, I'm ok in the event I received the watch and changed my mind, fine, ill pay the restocking fee.

But here I was misled to believe it was "stickered", meaning OEM stickered... not 47th street diamond district stickering...