Fake watch from established Grey...
Discussion
A number of years ago I bought an inexpensive Tissot from an established GM dealer based in Darlington, who is now a Tissot AD... cost was only £200-£300.
The watch was for the wife, but never kept satisfactory time and I figured I would send it off to Tissot for servicing. Tissot reply saying the item has been identified as counterfeit.
Now, cash value aside, I'm pretty damn annoyed at being sold counterfeit goods.
I raised the issue via email last night and the company in question has refunded the full sale price to my account this morning. On the face of it that might seem like a decent outcome. However, I'm unhappy at having the wool pulled and unhappy that this company has apparently 'got away' with illegal practice at my expense - the watch after all was fake.
A bit of Googling suggests the company is currently being looked at by a number of agencies... I can put it down to experience but wonder is there is any other action I should be taking...
The watch was for the wife, but never kept satisfactory time and I figured I would send it off to Tissot for servicing. Tissot reply saying the item has been identified as counterfeit.
Now, cash value aside, I'm pretty damn annoyed at being sold counterfeit goods.
I raised the issue via email last night and the company in question has refunded the full sale price to my account this morning. On the face of it that might seem like a decent outcome. However, I'm unhappy at having the wool pulled and unhappy that this company has apparently 'got away' with illegal practice at my expense - the watch after all was fake.
A bit of Googling suggests the company is currently being looked at by a number of agencies... I can put it down to experience but wonder is there is any other action I should be taking...
You can report to Trading standards that you were sold a fake. You have your refund which is good.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/somethi...
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/somethi...
That's an interesting point... The model would rrp at around £550 from an AD so I guess there is still a decent turn in it if they are doing volume.
The dealer in question made a half-hearted attempt to defend the position saying it was sourced "wholesale" and that they have the "necessary documentation" to assure authenticity, whilst also "no longer using" those suppliers... not sure what that all translates to, other than smoke and mirrors.
Were they also a victim of dodgy supply? I might have thought so if I hadn't read of the investigations taking place at present.
The speed at which they've paid me off suggests they want me to go away and be quiet. Still really annoyed.
The dealer in question made a half-hearted attempt to defend the position saying it was sourced "wholesale" and that they have the "necessary documentation" to assure authenticity, whilst also "no longer using" those suppliers... not sure what that all translates to, other than smoke and mirrors.
Were they also a victim of dodgy supply? I might have thought so if I hadn't read of the investigations taking place at present.
The speed at which they've paid me off suggests they want me to go away and be quiet. Still really annoyed.
Of course you're peed off, anyone would be, but what do you want? You've got your money back, a better return than if you'd bought a genuine Tissot back then. If it's the shop that comes up as being raided for counterfeit watches when you perform a simple google search then follow the advice and report it:
"Trading standards officers, who are part of the council’s Community Safety Team, have advised anyone who suspects that a watch they may have purchased from the trader is counterfeit to report their concerns to the Citizens Advice Consumer service on 0808 223 1133 or visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer.
Anyone with information which can assist trading standards, is asked to email tradingstandards@darlington.gov.uk or use the online reporting form (anonymously) which is available at www.darlington.gov.uk/ts-report-it"
"Trading standards officers, who are part of the council’s Community Safety Team, have advised anyone who suspects that a watch they may have purchased from the trader is counterfeit to report their concerns to the Citizens Advice Consumer service on 0808 223 1133 or visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer.
Anyone with information which can assist trading standards, is asked to email tradingstandards@darlington.gov.uk or use the online reporting form (anonymously) which is available at www.darlington.gov.uk/ts-report-it"
I don't really 'want' anything Macneil.
I'm just venting and perhaps raising a little awareness without breaching the 'name & shame' rules here. I wouldn't normally send a cheap automatic off to the original manufacturer for service so it's pure chance I found out. I've informed Tissot who supplied it anyway.
I'm just venting and perhaps raising a little awareness without breaching the 'name & shame' rules here. I wouldn't normally send a cheap automatic off to the original manufacturer for service so it's pure chance I found out. I've informed Tissot who supplied it anyway.
Not good to be duped - I'd be angry too. Not about the money, but simply that they've taken the piss.
As you say, an instant refund suggests they know what they are selling - they're a dealer FFS, they know!
I guess you can leave comments on review sites that they sold you a fake - not much else you can do.
I've bought a few high value watches from grey dealers, never had a problem. They survive on their reputation, if there's a whiff of a fake, they will go out of business pretty quickly.
As you say, an instant refund suggests they know what they are selling - they're a dealer FFS, they know!
I guess you can leave comments on review sites that they sold you a fake - not much else you can do.
I've bought a few high value watches from grey dealers, never had a problem. They survive on their reputation, if there's a whiff of a fake, they will go out of business pretty quickly.
I'd suggest leaving a review on Google reviews and then drawing a line under it personally, keep your review to the facts and I don't see an issue with it, that will probably have the biggest effect on them because if I am buying a watch from a dealer I haven't used before the first thing I do is search for them on Google
With a few years having passed since you bought it, you would have expected them to have tried to claim that you were sold a real watch, and that the fake one isn't the one they sold you. The fact that they didn't do this, and just issued a refund off the bat, suggests that they knew full well that they sold you a fake. Now they may not have known at the time, but it certainly looks like they found out since.
We've been a reseller for a major brand for years (not watches) and would spot a fake from miles away. When you deal in a product you just know.
There's always something not quite right in a fake, be it the product itself or the packaging right down to the weight of the cellophane wrap or the font used to stamp the serial number. You may not even be looking for authenticity but something won't feel right and it stands out like a sore thumb.
We have people retuning product in original packaging where they've replaced the genuine product with a fake or they've opened it and attempted to re-seal with a new wrap having switched the product inside. A glance is all it takes to spot usually.
Having said that if it came from an authorised distributor and not direct from the manufacturer the switch may have taken place previously in the channel. A batch may come through the channel where the switch into original packaging had already taken place. So originally when they sold it they were unsuspicious. It's probably rife in the watch market so they may be innocent but accept it happens hence the quick unchallenged refund.
There's always something not quite right in a fake, be it the product itself or the packaging right down to the weight of the cellophane wrap or the font used to stamp the serial number. You may not even be looking for authenticity but something won't feel right and it stands out like a sore thumb.
We have people retuning product in original packaging where they've replaced the genuine product with a fake or they've opened it and attempted to re-seal with a new wrap having switched the product inside. A glance is all it takes to spot usually.
Having said that if it came from an authorised distributor and not direct from the manufacturer the switch may have taken place previously in the channel. A batch may come through the channel where the switch into original packaging had already taken place. So originally when they sold it they were unsuspicious. It's probably rife in the watch market so they may be innocent but accept it happens hence the quick unchallenged refund.
I think the quick refund has more to do with this....
https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/19284286.su...
https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/19284286.su...
Edited by Ninjin on Wednesday 4th August 10:55
Mr Spoon said:
Well apart from the poor time keeping, looks like you have doubled up here. Cash to buy a real one if you so will and a watch that looks like the real thing
I have no use for a fake watch. It’s nothing more than a paperweight.I’m at a financial loss as far as I’m concerned (refund or not) as I’ve not been in possession of the item I thought I had over the years that have passed.
Ninjin said:
I think the quick refund has more to do with this....
https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/19284286.su...
Perhaps so.https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/19284286.su...
Edited by Ninjin on Wednesday 4th August 10:55
I didn't post the link in my OP as I didn't want the thread to breach any rules.
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