Sigh...yet another flaw found in my "BNIB" LV...

[outtatime]

Has anyone ever purchased something listed as "BNIB" only to keep discovering more and more flaws which don't seem to add up for something (conceivably) never really handled? I just got an M series LV last week described as such, but I swear every time I look at it I find another issue. First I noticed a pinprick-sized gouge in the bezel...then noticed the clasp is covered in tiny scratches. Yesterday I noticed one of the removable links has a nick in it. Then today, I just noticed the 6:00 lugs look like someone took a springbar tool and tried to pry the end link out from the topside, leaving nicks and scratches. I almost don't want to look at it any closer for fear of what I'll find next. Has anyone else bought something they felt shouldbe flawless only to have the wind taken out of their sails?

Oh yeah, and the bracelet feels really loose...no where near as crisp and tight as the 16610 that I had for 2 weeks prior.

Signed,
Nitpicky in NW Ohio

[esm]

sorry to hear that. Is there a chance for the seller to rectify the issues?

[Speed]

I have not...but it depends on the seller.

I have seen photos of "mint" watches which were anything but. Clear scratches, stretch etc.

I trust people like Lawrence B to represent watch conditions conservatively...others, I cannot say.

[JBat]

Yeah, try to return it.

[Volant997]

Jon,

BNIB is BNIB - that means MINT and NEW, never molested or showing signs of excessive handling. Given your description, the watch is not that. But significant time has now passed and it would be difficult to prove that the flaws are not your doing. What is the seller's return policy? Are you still in the inspection period? If not then why didn't your perform a DETAILED inspection when you first opened the case?

I'd have gone to the seller 1st and asked if he'd be willing to swap/trade or at least discuss the issues with him/her - especially if the seller has a strong reputation on this forum that they would like to maintain - prior to posting here.

It doesn't take much sleuthing to determine from whom you bought this watch...

Good luck resolving this issue.

[outtatime]

Originally Posted by Volant997

Jon,

BNIB is BNIB - that means MINT and NEW, never molested or showing signs of excessive handling. Given your description, the watch is not that. But significant time has now passed and it would be difficult to prove that the flaws are not your doing. What is the seller's return policy? Are you still in the inspection period? If not then why didn't your perform a DETAILED inspection when you first opened the case?

I'd have gone to the seller 1st and asked if he'd be willing to swap/trade or at least discuss the issues with him/her - especially if the seller has a strong reputation on this forum that they would like to maintain - prior to posting here.

It doesn't take much sleuthing to determine from whom you bought this watch...

Good luck resolving this issue.

I always do a detailed inspection...at least, as detailed as is possible given the circumstances. I received it at work and could only look at it so closely. That evening is when I noticed the bezel mark. Other scratches, all I can say is there are some you can see better under certain lighting conditions/etc. I once bought an Omega PO from an AD, looked at every nook and cranny in the store, but when I got it home and was able to look at it under different lighting conditions I found several flaws which were not immediately visible.

I agree about the "proving" issue...it's something I've struggled with an AD in the past. The seller did agree to split the cost of replacing the bezel insert with me providing I had it done with an AD, but have not discussed any of the other issues yet. I am not trying to "front him out" or anything...just kind of sad that what I thought was going to be factory fresh isn't quite what I expected.

[kilyung]

Unfortunately I've found that even "new" watches purchased from ADs are far from perfect. I've just gotten used to the idea that nothing is perfect (regardless of how much you paid for it) and there is no such thing as a grail watch (another separate topic).

[Perdu]

Try not to let it spoil your experience. Getting rid of scratches on the bracelet is really easy and there's a good demo from Sheldon on www.minus4plus6.com and another in the reference section here. It is important that you get that Spring bar checked at an A.D. or other watch maker. The scratches on the back by the Spring bar might annoy you but they're not visible. You should see the back of my Omega.

[mastermixer]

can we see some pictures of what you are talking about?

[cody p]

Originally Posted by kilyung

I've just gotten used to the idea that nothing is perfect (regardless of how much you paid for it) and there is no such thing as a grail watch (another separate topic).

Wisdom! Let us attend!

[crazycarlitos]

that's unfortunate.

but pics would help us better determine..

[rkrdr]

I gave up the idea of having a flawless watch after I bought a flawless watch and wore it for a month....stuff happens, and if you wear a watch, it will eventually accumulate the kinds of dings and scratches that you describe.
Only you can decide what is acceptable to you. Just remember, if you do get a flawless watch, and you do wear it, it will come to look just like the one you have now. I am told they clean up very well when you get them serviced!

JMHO

[JEC]

Trust me, you'll see far worse on something that has never left the showcase in an AD. Any moron who tries one on while still wearing their own watch or a bracelet will put some serious nicks in the side of the case (that's why they put plastic on all the polished surfaces now). The plastic hang tags also tend to scuff the clasps quite a bit when they are stuffed under the display pillow.

[outtatime]

Here's a couple pics of what I'm talking about:

[kizerman]

Originally Posted by outtatime

Here's a couple pics of what I'm talking about:

Return to sender! That is not BNIB, that is butchered.

[Volant997]

I'm trying to figure out why so many are steering the OP to just accept the defects and drive on... Agree we need to see some pics, but what is being described as "nicks" x 2, "gouges" and "loose" bracelet go beyond what you would expect from a BNIB watch. Also agree they will come with wear and use, but buying a BNIB watch means it is presumably "virgin" and you have paid a premium to get to make those character marks and create the patina on your own.

[Volant997]

Originally Posted by kizerman

return to sender! That is not bnib, that is butchered.

+1

[SecretSauce]

You're right, this is not BNIB... However, it's a really nice looking watch!! If its any consolation, I would expect to have those kind of scratches on a watch within 1-2 weeks of active wear. You should see my lugs after a year of daily wear - for some reason the 5 and 11 o'clock lugs seems to take the most punishment.

If its too late to return, enjoy!

You could also have the lug damage polished out in a jiffy!

[Speed]

Definitely NOT BNIB.

Will he take it back?

Did you get it from a TRF seller??

[sakuraba]

Might be difficult to "return to sender" if you've had it for a week now.

Hope everything works out.

[acadianl79]

Not BNIB in my books,
i would expect apologies and a refund.

[Green Arrow]

That does not look Brand New In Box. But my experience in one case was that once I wore the watch, the online Seller would not take it back. I failed to read their comments that called for a Buyer to inspect and return before sizing or wearing. I wore it overnight in my home, changed my mind, and ended up paying dearly for my mistake.

Perhaps there is a middle ground.... perhaps the Seller won't take it back, but will refund to you the difference to have RSC replace the bezel. The little scratches are usually there after a week in any event, so I would ignore those.

[AF/1]

The defects you point out are not evident in the original "for sale" pictures.
and the original for sale pictures are high quality close ups.

If it is the same watch, and I assume it is, one of three things happened:

-Watch was damaged in shipment.
-Watch was damaged after for sale pics were taken during packaging.
-You started to wear your watch, and it scuffed here and there.

You could be doing irreparable harm to the seller with this thread.

[kizerman]

Originally Posted by AF/1

The defects you point out are not evident in the original "for sale" pictures.
and the original for sale pictures are high quality close ups.

If it is the same watch, and I assume it is, one of three things happened:

-Watch was damaged in shipment.
-Watch was damaged after for sale pics were taken during packaging.
-You started to wear your watch, and it scuffed here and there.

You could be doing irreparable harm to the seller with this thread.

I just read the original post again and realized that he had the watch for a week. You should have noticed these things right away, IMO.

There is a chance the for sale photos were taken months ago when the watch was actually BNIB, let's not forget that possibility. Unfortunately, even if that was the case, you should inspect your watch thoroughly and immediately to avoid these situations.

Situations like this are why I take closeup pics, time and date stamped, as I pack my watches to ship. Doing so has saved me once already from a buyer who claimed damage to the watch 3 days after arrival.

[AF/1]

del

[PeteNYC13]

I don't really have an opinion...well, I do but not one that I am going to share.

I just hope it works out okay for you - I would like to think that there are a handful of GREAT sellers on here and I hope you get the satisfaction you want if the watch was not as you thought it would be.

Please keep us posted.

-Pete

[crazycarlitos]

if that is how u received it, not BNIB... imho.

try ur best to work this out with seller... if he is reputable, perhaps he will take responsibility somehow.. BOL

[Mosco]

Hmmm... Something's odd... The OP originally received this watch quite a few days ago, from what I understand, and just now he sees the gouges on the lugs?

[outtatime]

I am working with the seller on this issue...so I won't post any more at this time.

[mastermixer]

Agreed, If the protective plastics were taken off and it was worn for a week it is hard to blame the seller as we do not know what took place in between.

Originally Posted by Mosco

Hmmm... Something's odd... The OP originally received this watch quite a few days ago, from what I understand, and just now he sees the gouges on the lugs?