Jaeger-LeCoultre

Good that I had written the text in a different doc, otherwise I would have needed to produce again the following massive post - hope this time I will submit it properly

I just read Irishger's story - first of all, my entire sympathy for him and all hopes that the 'what goes around, comes around' principle will work 100% in this case and that the guy who paid with a false cheque will maybe receive false drugs when in pain.

I have personal reasons to be pissed off about what happened in this case, as I am from Romania, which, besides being a lovely country to visit (thanks again Marcus, an absolutely lovely report (http://timeout.watchprosite.com/show-forumpost/fi-686/pi-2902806/ti-484286/s-0/), is also home for quite a number of computer-literated assholes, please excuse my language, willing and able to be highly inventive when it comes to making a profit out of innocent sellers. For that matter, it happens quite often that, when I or a fellow member of the local watches-loving community want to acquire a watch from one of the major fora, the response is understandanly cautious. So far I have though managed to convince my sellers that I am a honorable buyer and, as such, quite a few new beauties have joined my starting collection recently (an Amvox 1, a Speedy Moon watch, a Mark XV and a few others more - guess I should come up with a few pics ). But the fact itself that I have to convince them on my intentions is pretty unpleasant - yet again, why wonder, given the study quoted in Irishger's thread.

Yet there is also a reverse story, and not with any source, but a reputed store, not from Nigeria/ Yugoslavia/ etc, but from Germany. I am not sure whether it is appropriate or to give full name and details, please advise me on this point. So there it goes:

The one watch I considered and still believe to be one of the few modern items that managed to capture the timeless essence of pure, classical watchbreeding is the JLC Master Grande Taille. Hence, I have long followed various ads until I found an interesting one on a reputable site which offers only watches from various sellers. This particular ad listed a JLC MGT in 'Top Zustand' (top condition), with a bracelet, from a 'Trusted Seller' (!!), at a fairly reasonable price. I made the phone call, the answer was very polite, and after receiving a decent discount, we agree on the deal. The payment was made in December, and I insisted to have the watch sent initially to relatives of mine in Germany - for the very same reasons listed above, I did not wanted to risk having it 'lost' by the local post, in Romania. Hence the watch arrived to me only in January... and then I had quite a surprise. That is, although the watch was in a mostly good condition, it was affected by humidity, as can be seen in the picture. The hour and minute hands had a certain redish area, the second hand had its beautiful blue color corroded in a few spots and the dial was also affected at the very margin of it. Nothing really, really big, yet it certainly was not in top condition.

And here comes the beautiful part, disconfirming all I presumed about the reputed German trustworthiness - when I wrote them a couple of respectful e-mails, describind them the condition of the watch and asking about a solution (i.e., a replacement of the dial and of the hands), no response whatsoever was provided. Only two months later, after writing them a truly pissed-off e-mail did I receive an arrogant answer, stating the they had sent me a perfect watch and that my beavior is questionable...

At this moment, I do not want a thing from these German gentlemen, other than 'helping' them gain a very accurate image of their truthful reputation. Therefore, I had a conversation with the owners of the site where the ad was posted, and these guys reacted in a very friendly manner so far, stating the they will certainly investigate into this issue further. Any further ideas with regard to what could be done are very welcome.

As a final point, I intend to provide this beautiful watch a proper treatment, hence, please help me out in a PM with suggestions regarding the proper approach in order to give the watch a professional repair at the 'la grande maison'.

Wooster

Seriously, I'm very sad for you, my friend.

More than a watch, this is propelry disgusting to see such things.

I guess this seller is not an AD, because in this cae it would have been very easy.

Where is your nearest AD, my friend?

I'm sure JLC has these hands and dial in their stock, as this watch is not that old.

So you have two options:

1/ Give it to your AD, and he will do the necessary for you.

2/ Give it directly to a JLC Boutique.

IN EVERY CASE, ASK FOR A VERY DETAILED INVOICE, EXPLAINING THAT THE DIAL AND HANDS ARE IN AN ANORMAL CONDITION AND THE CAUSES OF THIS BAD CONDITION.

Then, send the invoice to your seller, to the website where your seller is hosted, and ask him a refund of the repair.

He can't deny his responsability, then.

Best, my friend, and of course, keep us updated.

Nicolas

... as always, very friendly


Thanks for the good advice, there is an AD in Bucharest and I will contact them on this matter. I will most probably never receive a refund from the respective seller (indeed, not an AD), but in the end it is actually not about the money, even though 2009 is not the most generous of all years , but about business practices...

Compare it to the detailed invoice you will receive...

Then send it to your seller, mentionning you will send a copy to the webiste he puts his ads.

Ask him a total refund of the repair.

If he pays, it is ok, andif not, send a copy of all the case to the website and we'll see...

Best,

Nicolas

Given the current type of responses I have received from the seller, I very much wonder whether they will pay the refunds... Maybe, just maybe, if I am to be just a bit cynical, there would have been a different answer if I were from Western Europe. But this is just a speculation