Bait & Switched by SEA WAVE DIAMONDS NYC -- What would you do?

[TMore9]

Got bait and switched by SEA Wave Diamonds in NYC and looking for advice as well as warning others of what happened. I'm still waiting for them to resolve what happened.

I reached out to SEA Wave Diamonds on April 14th about an UNWORN AP Royal Oak 38mm w/ Grey Dial listed on Chrono 24 for $39,250. They were closed and the next morning received a text from Emmanuel offering me a super mint one for $36k.

I send him the Chrono24 link for the watch I wanted which was listed as unworn as that's what I wanted and the one he offered was "super mint".

No reply. No worries. Assume he's busy.

I call SEA Wave and tell them I texted w/ Emmanuel and I wanted the new AP from the Chrono24 listing.

They asked which Royal Oak 38mm I was asking about and let me know they had 2 -- one which was unworn for $39,250 and one used mint condition for $38,000.

I said the new one and was connected to Xenon.

Told him I wanted the new one and that Emmanuel had offered me the used one for $36k, but if they could do the new one from the listing for $36k I wuld be a buyer. He said he'd have to check and get back to me.

An hour later he calls me back and says they'll do the deal. Over text I send the Chrono 24 link to Xenon and ask him to triple confirm it's that exact watch that I am purchasing. He confirms it is and asks for a $2500 deposit, which I take care of and wire the final balance on April 17th. They ship the watch same day for delivery on April 18th.

I get the watch on April 18th and see there's a slight scratch/chip in the watch where the case meets the bracelet. I take a closer look and notice slight swirl marks. I immediately send Xenon photos and he tells me that it's just handling marks. Now I'm nervous they sold me the used one.

I quickly look up the Chrono24 listing and notice no such chip is in any of those photos and the condition of the warranty card and box look completely different to the one I received. I even notice that the watch on Chrono24 has all the links on the watch but on the one I got, it's been sized and has a sealed extra link from AP in the box (implying that one of the original links were lost)... again not the same as the listing.

Then I go back and look at the photo Emmanuel sent me on April 15th and notice the used watch has the EXACT same chip in the EXACT same area as the watch I got. Now I'm convinced and certain they told me they were selling me the new one but sent me the used one.

I called Xenon again who gives me a whole spiel about handling marks and how super mint means unworn etc etc. and that what they can offer is free full refinishing of the watch to be used within in the next 2 years. I hesitantly accept. (Which I know I shouldn't have).

I have my brother-in-law call the store as a prospective buyer for a brand new one of my exact watch and reference the Chrono24 listing. They tell him the watch is available, and they can do $39k shipped. Now I'm 100% certain they told me they were selling me the one from the listing but sold me the used one.

I take the watch to a trusted local watch repair place in LA who clearly looks at everything and says it's been worn, it isn't new and there's no reason to accept it as a new piece.

I have all the texts and photos to compare the watches attached here. It feels like they are sleazy NYC jewelers who did what they had to do to make a quick buck.

I want the new watch, but it feels like at this point, they won't do that. Honestly, I did get it at a price that I'm not mad about, I know once I wear it it'll be used anyways. I just want them to admit they purposely sold me the used one while trying to tell me it was new. In addition, I want them to cover the cost of having it refinished at a reputable place like LA Watch Works.

The last thing I want to do is send this watch back to them to refinish. I don't trust them one bit and if I send it back not only will they have my watch but also my $36k...

Thoughts?

Texts w/ Emmanuel:








Texts w/ Xenon:




Photos of damage on watch received:







Photo of "super mint" watch Emmanuel sent me:





Photo of watch from Chrono 24 listing:

[stevestil]

Good luck getting anywhere.

I’m sorry this happened. I would be very angry. Unfortunately this happens every minute on 47th.


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[tekno]

Buy a ticket to NY, bring the watch back in person and make them refund you while your there.

Dont do ANY more deals with them, how do you even know they have the new one?

No offense but why would you do a $40,000 deal with a place called Sea Wave Diamonds in NYC anyway? Those diamond district fools are known to be sheister scammers.

[huncho]

i would call Emmanuel because you're getting nowhere with the other guy. call and explain from the beginning and tell them they still supposedly have the other watch you were referring to. it's gonna be an annoying few weeks for you but they should make it right and worst case just let you return it. whatever you do don't get it polished by them though

it's impossible to deal with dealers in text, they get 100s of texts a day and i'm sure their brains are all over the place. whenever it comes to situations like this that involve multiple watches i think it's always best to call so you know you have their attention

[tekno]

Be relentless, call them and be just polite enough for them not to block you. Get your $ back. If you decide to take the other watch ask for pics with proof of life.


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[inadeje]

So sorry for your predicament. Clearly you’ve been misled. How did you pay? Credit card will make the refund process much easier. My experience is that these venders use this bait and switch maneuver to unload worn/undesirable watches. As you have experienced they list a brand new version of the worn watch they have to generate interest and then switch because they never actually had the unworn watch. Their next ploy will be to offer to refund the difference. Remember they never had the unworn watch to they just cornered you into taking the (expensive) worn example. You would be surprised how many people accept that alternative. You should refuse and obtain a full refund.

[Halifax Daytona UK]

Sorry , not read your post in full as I’ve not got a spare day. Hope it clears up

[TMore9]

I'm just shocked since I've purchased and sold a few watches on this forum and NEVER had a problem... I've purchased "mint" Rolex's from individuals here that looked brand new and didn't have a single mark.

I guess lesson learned. Never purchase from 47th regardless of how good their google/yelp reviews are.

[sportsfan0704]

Writing was on the wall
Unfortunately. Very little recourse since you went directly with the dealer. 47th street is known for dealers who don’t have the stock and “source” what you’re looking for to make a profit. A lot don’t update their sites and then when a customer wants something, they have to find a way to get something similar. Seems that’s what happened here. This is why we always say buy the seller.

[tekno]

Originally Posted by TMore9

I'm just shocked since I've purchased and sold a few watches on this forum and NEVER had a problem... I've purchased "mint" Rolex's from individuals here that looked brand new and didn't have a single mark.

I guess lesson learned. sigh.

Collectors & sellers in our community with feedback and a reputation have everything to lose on a transaction because they are only as good as their last deal.

You bought a watch from a no name dealer off Chrono24, not even through the official chrono channel. You found the dealer and bought a watch through text.

Totally different deal. There are plenty of unscrupulous people in the watch/jewelery world.


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[tekno]

Worst case Beau @ LAWW can fix the case. You wanted a NOS watch.

Get your $ back.

Is $36-39k cheap for that particular watch NOS?


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[TMore9]

Originally Posted by tekno

Collectors & sellers in our community with feedback and a reputation have everything to lose on a transaction because they are only as good as their last deal.

You bought a watch from a no name dealer off Chrono24, not even through the official chrono channel. You found the dealer and bought a watch through text.

Totally different deal. There are plenty of unscrupulous people in the watch/jewelery world.


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Definitely. I completely understand it's not the same and have learned my lesson here.

[TMore9]

Originally Posted by tekno

Worst case Beau @ LAWW can fix the case. You wanted a NOS watch.

Get your $ back.

Is $36-39k cheap for that particular watch NOS?


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Yes, $36k is cheap for this watch NOS. Generally, it's in the $40k range. Which is why I'm not mad about the price. I'm just annoyed, because in my mind, if you had the new watch (which ofc it seems they didnt), then the right thing to do would be to decline my offer of $36k and just say you couldn't do it.

I have sent photos to LAWW to see what it would run to fix it as a worst case scenario.

I am going to try to get my money back and stay on top of them. But at least I know LAWW can make it look brand new.

[tekno]

Beau has recut 7 or 8 watches for me, he’s the man. I think his AP work is phenomenal.

Good luck man, happy Easter.


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[Calatrava r]

Unless you know and trust the seller, most "unworn" stuff on the market has been refurbished to look unworn. It is just the nature of the business. Frankly, you are really better off buying something slightly worn if you can have confidence, it has not been polished. All these watches scratch so easily.

[TMore9]

Originally Posted by tekno

Beau has recut 7 or 8 watches for me, he’s the man. I think his AP work is phenomenal.

Good luck man, happy Easter.


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Thanks man. His work on IG looks incredible. Happy Easter.

[fflump]

Did they have an explanation as to why it was not sent with the green bracelet covers in place like in the chrono24 advert?

[Jake Sully]

The picture you posted can definitely be handling marks from someone that wasnt careful with it. These RO's are scratch magnets and markup very easy. I paid more for mine and it had more sin on it. I would just wear it and get it cleaned up at your first service. For what its worth I would do all your other high end purchases in person (like I do) so you know exactly what your getting.

[willywilson]

What is this Beau guys name on instagram? I need more interesting watch content

[shaunylw]

This is all nuts. Return it, buy from a real dealer. These are so easy to find.


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[TMore9]

Originally Posted by fflump

Did they have an explanation as to why it was not sent with the green bracelet covers in place like in the chrono24 advert?

They did not. Xenon kept using salesman tactics to say "it's mint unworn, you cant deny you got a great price" and when I told him "at the end of the day, you sold me something that was not what was advertised and what I thought I was buying" and he pauses cause he knows he has no argument and says "Let me talk to Emmanuel" which obv led to nothing.

Originally Posted by Jake Sully

The picture you posted can definitely be handling marks from someone that wasnt careful with it. These RO's are scratch magnets and markup very easy. I paid more for mine and it had more sin on it. I would just wear it and get it cleaned up at your first service. For what its worth I would do all your other high end purchases in person (like I do) so you know exactly what your getting.

I understand these watches are delicate. I've only ever looked to purchase a "new" watch once from a reseller/individual. This time it's because this watch is meant to be worn for my wedding... otherwise, I generally do not care. My frustration is, I could have purchased one of these used/beat up for a few thousand less and send it to Beau and had it cleaned up and looking brand new.

I guess I just learned my lesson about 47th street.

Originally Posted by willywilson

What is this Beau guys name on instagram? I need more interesting watch content

https://www.instagram.com/losangeleswatchworks/?hl=en

Enjoy!! Work looks incredible.

[77T]

Originally Posted by TMore9

I'm just shocked since I've purchased and sold a few watches on this forum and NEVER had a problem... I've purchased "mint" Rolex's from individuals here that looked brand new and didn't have a single mark.

I guess lesson learned. Never purchase from 47th regardless of how good their google/yelp reviews are.

I agree it's a lesson about untrusted sellers no matter where they dwell.

Clearly you don't trust them to rectify.

If the price for the mint one is acceptable then I'd wear it - new marks of your own will appear.

Sorry for the disappointing dilemma. :cheers.:


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[paul cbc]

I would try and get your money back and move on.
Why do more business with a company you feel has been dishonest?

[brandrea]

I’m sorry to rad this and hope you get it sorted.

Try the phone App with the right person is my

[fflump]

I don’t know about the US but in the UK distance selling laws give the buyer the right to a refund for any reason at all.

[sportsfan0704]

I wouldn’t settle for having it refinished. Opinions vary but adding metal to a watch to fix bad polishing is not worth it to me. You’re always going to feel like you compromised. Try to get your money back and get the police involved if you must.

[KatGirl]

I ‘d send it back for a refund, as they blatantly did do a bait and switch.
I’d be furious! The last time I bought a watch from a dealer in NY, I got sent a watch with a broken main spring, and they kept $300 for a restocking fee. They offered to service it, (said it was magnetized, which I knew wasn’t the case.) I asked for a refund, and they made $300. I had done a lot of business with them, so I was angry. Needless to say, I won’t do business with them again.

Kat


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[1William]

Sorry this happened and I hope you get it sorted out.

[Humble michael]

Please please get a refund - do not have it polished which diminishes it’s value. I would fly out there and meet them to get my refund. I would also call the bank. That did the transfer to see if there’s anything they could do. So sorry you had this experience once again. This shows the importance of never doing a wire transfer but always pain by PayPal or/and a credit card even paying the additional fee, James in San Antonio, Texas.

[TMore9]

Quick update here --

I messaged Xenon (the sales guy) this morning, sent him a link to this thread, and told him that if they don't make this right, I will take legal action as I have everything in writing to show they purposely bait & switched the watch.

He has asked me not to pursue any further legal action (including negative reviews etc) as he is scared he will be fired if the owner comes to find out what happened. This can only suggest that the owner didn't know what was happening, and Xenon did what he did to make a quick sale.

I don't know why, as a salesperson, you would decide to do something like that... Also, I'm sorry, no sympathy for your job being on the line. You lied to me and tried to screw me.

If this doesn't get resolved today, I will pursue further action and speak to the owner directly.

I appreciate this community a ton because it seems sending him this thread really spooked him.