Ted Su strap review - terrible experience

[crazycarlitos]

Like many panerai owners, I constantly scour the net for great new straps

Couple of months ago, I found a beautiful blue gator strap on TedSu (taiwan) site.

Quick research showed that the company has been around for a while with satisfied customers. Still, wasn’t sure if I wanted to fork over $315 (not too bad for gator, I know)…

I kept looking at the strap, which is in their 26mm “ready to ship” section, which is a specific strap already made.
I really liked the color and the pattern.. and decided it would be perfect for the 690.
So I went ahead and ordered it.

Imagine my disappointment when I open the pkg, after 2 week transit time, just to see something unexpected and ordinary.
A quick glance of the pattern shows different so I knew it wasn’t the one I ordered.
the one I received was also much darker than the one I ordered and with no gloss. WTH

I emailed right away.. and they replied “sorry. Send back for refund” lol
I replied I will. And expect full refund.
But wanted to know why I did not receive the one I ordered.

Was it a simple mistake of sending wrong one?
Mistake on the site? (because they removed pics of the one I bought a day after I bought it.. and replaced with another dark gator strap)
I wanted to know and deserved an explanation.

I asked Ron from tedsu twice more and never received an answer.
He basically stopped responding. Useless.

They did refund the money, but I feel less than satisfied.

TedSu did a “bait and switch” on me..
so my advice would be to stay away from them

To add, any reviews left on their site is not posted. Lmao

[Brew]

Good gosh, you got a full refund. You are not owed an explanation. You don't "deserve" anything more, imo.

[crazycarlitos]

Originally Posted by Brew

Good gosh, you got a full refund. You are not owed an explanation. You don't "deserve" anything more, imo.

Perhaps. Perhaps not.

I suppose I would at least provide an explanation with a sincere apology under similar circumstances. Ymmv

[htc8p]

I have bought from tedsu before. A gator strap for my Rolex gmt. It is reasonable price. You get what you pay for. But over all I wasn’t satisfied. The leather was good but the underside was low quality and no padding.

If you really want croc leather go oem

Hirsh strap was even better.


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[thsiao]

I would also say that an explanation would’ve been nice, but it’s not owed. It just speaks to his customer service and obviously it’s subpar if he can’t be bothered to answer you anymore.

[THWatch]

Well, giving what is happening in Taiwan with the Covid currently, I would give them a pass for not providing a reason.

[Cru Jones]

I have a couple of Ted Su straps. Good quality and I’ve had good customer experience. But it seems they aren’t perfect.

[rootbeer7]

You got a full refund after a mistake.

[htc8p]

i dont think you can control leather pattern. Tedsu leather is still very good

[crazycarlitos]

Originally Posted by htc8p

i dont think you can control leather pattern. Tedsu leather is still very good

I was supposed to receive the exact one in the first pic.
Not a replacement or something similar.

This is not about quality of his work but more about his business ethic

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Your disappointment is valid but they did the honorable thing and refunded your money. They made a mistake and then made it right but you don’t seem satisfied until they are shamed and punished. This hobby is supposed to be fun.

[crazycarlitos]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

Your disappointment is valid but they did the honorable thing and refunded your money. They made a mistake and then made it right but you don’t seem satisfied until they are shamed and punished. This hobby is supposed to be fun.

My intention was to share my disappointment and let others know what to expect when u buy an item TedSu lists as ready to ship.
It is not the actual item u will get. Lol

U say they made a mistake… but without an explanation, how do I know it was mistake or intentional?

FYI Starting this thread hardly gave me any satisfaction.
But others need to know how Ted runs his business.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by crazycarlitos

My intention was to share my disappointment and let others know what to expect when u buy an item TedSu lists as ready to ship.
It is not the actual item u will get. Lol

U say they made a mistake… but without an explanation, how do I know it was mistake or intentional?

FYI Starting this thread hardly gave me any satisfaction.
But others need to know how Ted runs his business.

In the absence of other examples you are holding up the exception as the rule and making the broad generalization that ‘because this happened once to me this happens every time and will happen to you.’ And they don’t owe you an explanation, all they owe you is your money back which you received. Your single experience is duly noted but without anything to back up that this defines “how Ted runs his business” your posts sound more like a vendetta than a service to the forum.

[gmtobsessed]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

In the absence of other examples you are holding up the exception as the rule and making the broad generalization that ‘because this happened once to me this happens every time and will happen to you.’ And they don’t owe you an explanation, all they owe you is your money back which you received. Your single experience is duly noted but without anything to back up that this defines “how Ted runs his business” your posts sound more like a vendetta than a service to the forum.

Exactly

[jenniferjanef]

I bought from them before, twice.. I bought them when I was in Taipei. I chose from the current stock. Gave me great price and friendly services too. However that was like 8 years ago.

[lig]

Originally Posted by jenniferjanef

I bought from them before, twice.. I bought them when I was in Taipei. I chose from the current stock. Gave me great price and friendly services too. However that was like 8 years ago.

+1

My favorite strap is a beautiful blue croc with calf lining from Ted Su. It’s definitely been years but still looks great.

[pdnb]

Bummer... even if he sent the strap “as shown” lighting and white balance makes all the difference.

I often get disappointed and surprised.

It’s really hard; I think the sellers either need to use Pantone colors to describe or upload videos with the strap changing angles with lighting.

Anyways I am a big fan of gators and tend to get mine at abp or OEM.

I love special tanning gators and the nubuck gators are awesome.

Here is a recent special tanning blue


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[EEpro]

That's the trouble with alligator. I don't buy blue alligator without calling and asking for a picture. JR will text me a pic of the one in stock which helps a lot. Sucks you waited all that time only to get a typical navy strap.

[Haveapair]

Sounds like you didn't like what you received, but the company refunded you your money.

Sorry you didn't like it, but sounds pretty reasonable. I don't think this warrants burning the company down.

Sounds like a reputable company. I think your story will give others confidence in this seller, it did for me.

[Watch This]

Vendetta thread. Unnecessary. You got a full refund.

[rajurama]

Originally Posted by Watch This

Vendetta thread. Unnecessary. You got a full refund.

X2 Period

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by rajurama

X2 Period

X3

You received a full refund
Did you have to return the strap or were you allowed to keep it?
If you had to return it, all you're out is a trip to the post office

If you still have it, this thread makes even less sense as you received a $300 strap for free simply because it didn't match YOU'RE expectations

[N_Architect]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

In the absence of other examples you are holding up the exception as the rule and making the broad generalization that ‘because this happened once to me this happens every time and will happen to you.’ And they don’t owe you an explanation, all they owe you is your money back which you received. Your single experience is duly noted but without anything to back up that this defines “how Ted runs his business” your posts sound more like a vendetta than a service to the forum.

^^This.

Originally Posted by Watch This

Vendetta thread. Unnecessary. You got a full refund.

x4.

You open a thread named "Ted Su strap review - terrible experience".
Where is the strap review, and where is the terrible experience?

Sure, you received a strap which was not the one exactly shown in the picture, but you got your money back with no major delays, excuses or other hurdles.
These things happen and you have to be able to take it, instead of coming publicly in a forum and bashing mercilessly on the craftsman.

Your disappointment with this purchase is understood, but a "...terrible experience..." with a vendor/manufacturer is something totally different (in my humble opinion).

Ted Su has not only been a reputable craftsman for more than a decade, but he is also one who would openly share his experience and knowledge with other aspiring professionals in his field - something that others in his position would never ever do.

Mistakes do happen in e-commerce and retail.
But in all fairness once such things are dealt with in an effective manner (i.e. getting your $$$ back, which you did), all the rest is venting of one's frustration and impatience.

[red1108nyc]

You have the right to feel unhappy but to go out on public forum to ding a seller’s reputation/livelihood is a tad strong isn’t it? Be nice.. mistakes happen. For high end and great finish gator, I would recommend ABP Paris.

[topgear]

I ordered from Ted Su once for a clearance ammo strap. It has been several years ago so I could not remember how much I paid. Quality was good and will still buy from them again when this one wears out.

Generally, I was really satisfied with the product and lead time. I would give them the benefit of the doubt. Based on their reply to your email, I think the person tasked with handling emails is not very conversant with the English language.

[Jocke]

The problem here is that they did not send the strap that was in the picture. Furthermore, you can never rely on images as
factors such as light can present a strap in completely different ways. So I see no problem here as the seller has made a full
refund. But as a buyer, you should probably ask questions about the product instead of relying on the pictures.

[crazycarlitos]

Originally Posted by Jocke

The problem here is that they did not send the strap that was in the picture. Furthermore, you can never rely on images as
factors such as light can present a strap in completely different ways.

I realize lighting and editing can change the how the strap looks.
I would have chalked it up to lighting, if the pattern at least matched.

Yes, the problem is that they didn’t send the one pictured.. when that’s exactly what they are suppose to do.

Yet, most people seem happy to just get their money back. Lol
Getting my money back was never in mind as an issue.

[brandrea]

Sorry to hear. I think its so tough to buy based in pictures in these cases.

If I were you and for slightly more, I'd just go with the Panerai OEM blue alligator.

I picked this one up for my 690 in Firenze from the boutique on our last trip.
20210606_171101.jpgScreenshot_20200508-064024_Instagram.jpg

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[Ravager135]

I can see OPs point, I think there is noticeable difference between what was in the picture and what he received. The scale is completely different, lack of gloss finish, etc. I think it's fair to say what he received is more than just variation that can be expected with patterned straps. Now that said, he was refunded completely and this thread probably wasn't necessary.

I think there's some great strap makers out there, but I've always been impressed with OEM quality on most of their higher end straps. Some of the basic calf straps you see on entry level models aren't particularly impressive (though certainly adequate), but their JV nubuck, croc, and cashmere straps are extremely impressive.

[crazycarlitos]

It’s good to see most of u are so damn understanding. Lol

Honestly, if I ordered a made-to-order strap and got what I got, it would be “whatever”
But if they advertise it as exactly what u get, that’s exactly what I expect.

Below is a pic of another “ready-to-ship” strap from Ted Su.
Imagine u buy that.. and get something else. Lol

Sounds like most of u would be ok just to get a refund and call it a day.
I figured a watch forum would like to know, tho.

This is hardly a vandetta thread some of u think.
Perhaps u think that because I was long-winded. But I wanted to share exactly what happened.
I should be able to explain what happened and let others know what’s going on, no?

Is it really that much to ask for a simple explanation on what happened from the company?
- oh, we sent the wrong one
- the COVID has affected us
- that one was sold but we didn’t update
- ready to ship does not mean u get that one.
Takes less than 10 seconds to provide an explanation.

Any explanation would have sufficed, but choosing to ignore it leaves nothing for me to do except believe it was intentional and to let others know of my bad experience.