Did I get the wrong watch by mistake or a fast one by a dealer?

[emmagee]

Last week I bought a watch, a 16220, from a well known and well respected dealer that I purchased a used Rolex from about three years ago; the watch arrived today. This is going to be a Christmas present for my wife

The watch pictured on his site appeared to have a white dial with romans and the description listed it as a mid-'90's production in excellent condition, absolutely beautiful since I like white dials. When I inquired about the watch, I also asked if there was any room on the price, he emailed me back indicating that he had actually mis-priced the watch and although he would honor that price to me he was going to re-list it later that day with the correct price which was $300 more. I was OK with the price, told him I would go ahead and take it.

The watch arrived today and I was shocked when I opened the box to see a watch with a cream colored dial. The condition is excellent, exactly as described, however, it is a R prefix SN, which would make it a '87-'89 vintage watch rather than a mid-'90's watch.

Now there really isn't any difference between an '87 16220 and a '94 or so 16220, but obviously I'd prefer a newer watch, but that really isn't a major issue for me. I have since looked at the original photo posted, I saved it to my HD, and am convinced the watch I received isn't the watch that was pictured. The dial in the picture was white and I don't think the lighting could be that far off that to make me think it was a cream colored dial, but digital photos can be misleading. What convinced me is markings on the bottom of the dial. The watch I received has VII T SWISS VI MADE T V and the watch in the pic has VII SWISS VI MADE V. I honestly don't remember what color was listed in the ad, I should have saved the text, and it is no longer listed on the web site. It *may* have indicated a color, but I don't believe so and in any case, I assumed it was white because of the pic.

To complicate matters the same photo is now being used on his web site as a 2004 model with a porcelain white dial. Now I have no problems if he is using stock photos, but am troubled that the photo used for the watch that I got came with a cream dial and is now being used with a white dial, which I was expecting.

I have emailed the dealer asking for a clarification on my confusion but have not heard back from him yet. I did not email him until tonight, so I really don't expect a reply until tomorrow. I just can't believe that a dealer of his reputation would deliberately mislead me about the dial color and year of mfg. I'd like to think this is nothing more than an error, and possibly one that I'm not even concerned with, but it just seems a bit odd.

So my dilemma is this, if a bait and switch tactic was used, I'm not happy about it, but it is a pretty watch and the only issues are this one being a few years older than I was expecting and slight difference in color in the dial. My wife might actually prefer the cream colored dial, she has no idea she is getting this, so she had not requested a white dial watch, but the only way I can find out and still have time to return the watch under his return policy is to give her her Christmas gift three weeks early. If she prefers the cream, great, it was a better watch for her, but if she'd rather have a white, then I need to send it back, either way, a Christmas surprise is out of the question.

I'd like some input on how to handle this from some more experienced collectors. This is only the third Rolex I have purchased on-line, so I'm not as seasoned as some of you guys. Any and all input on this situation would be most appreciated.

Thanks much!

[Andad]

Hi and welcome to the Forum.

Yup, that would certainly P me off.

I'd wait for a return reply and post an update but I wouldn't accept any delays.

[astcell]

I'd phone and not wait for e-mail.

[SLS]

Could be an honest mistake, but I am curious to hear what happens tomorrow.

Scott

[marke]

i would also go into my local ad and get them to confirm what actual watch u have received.

[Wolfgang427]

Would be nice to see the pics to see the difference. The creme or off-white dial is a rarer dial then the white dial even on a DJ. However if your unhappy with the purchase it doesn't matter just send it back.

[GBJIV]

For the deal to go so differently then you expected is unfortunate. IMO, the buyer of an item should have a very detailed description of exactly what they are buying and pictures that reflect the true character/nature of the piece. No surprises.

Sounds like this was a total surprise. I would definitely call at your earliest convenience

Good Luck - great that you are flexible on this - not sure I could be...

[gmh1013]

That sounds like a "National Lampoons Vacation," order one car and getting another model
I would be on the phone or on my way there.

[JF23]

Good luck emmagee, keep us updated. I hope you get this issue resolved.

[Rolexshirts]

I would talk to the Rolex dealer like right away and take the Rolex to your local dealer and get it verified that he is not selling you a fake

[emmagee]

Thanks everyone.

I have been in contact with the dealer and do not think anything will be a problem. I am still well within his return policy and that is one option, but one that probably won't be needed. He offered to have the dial changed to white if I wanted, but that is a decision I will leave up to my wife.

I should add that he said the ad listed the dial as ivory, and I may very well have assumed, coupled with the photo, that it was going to be white. I should have asked more questions, but the bottom line is I do not think there was any 'monkey business' going on.

Thanks again for the input!

[Tools]

Here is my 2 cents...

I think that he may have sent you a different watch than the one pictured.. but I would keep that one.. here's why.

You say you got it at a pretty good price....below what he is now listing the other one..

. This one has a cream dial which is rare and more fitting for a "collectible".

. This one has a tritium dial (T Swiss Made T) dial, and they don't make those any more, again a feather for a collector.. The pictured one either had a replacement dial, or it was newer than 1998.

. You already have it...you're fretting over a gift that is going to be loved and cherished for years to come...take a deep breath..

[tudorwatches]

Never ever...fall for this trick.. it is the oldest in the book !!!

quote
"I also asked if there was any room on the price, he emailed me back indicating that he had actually mis-priced the watch and although he would honor that price to me he was going to re-list it later that day with the correct price which was $300 more."

If anyone tells you this.. walk away..

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by cmkooi

Never ever...fall for this trick.. it is the oldest in the book !!!

quote
"I also asked if there was any room on the price, he emailed me back indicating that he had actually mis-priced the watch and although he would honor that price to me he was going to re-list it later that day with the correct price which was $300 more."

If anyone tells you this.. walk away..

Well I can certainly see why you would think that but if you've had to manage multiple listings online for sale its very easy to mess up prices and confuse items, takes a lot of careful organizing and I've done this myself. I'm not putting it past a slick salesman to use a line like this but I can see the other side as well

Originally Posted by emmagee

Thanks everyone.

I have been in contact with the dealer and do not think anything will be a problem. I am still well within his return policy and that is one option, but one that probably won't be needed. He offered to have the dial changed to white if I wanted, but that is a decision I will leave up to my wife.

I should add that he said the ad listed the dial as ivory, and I may very well have assumed, coupled with the photo, that it was going to be white. I should have asked more questions, but the bottom line is I do not think there was any 'monkey business' going on.

Thanks again for the input!

I agree with you and with Larry, you may have really lucked out in the long run!!

[Pathagarus]

Another consideration with purchasing used. Some watches are "conversions", which simply means they are not what they were when originally sold. For example, I purchased a '99 TT datejust from a grey dealer, fluted bezel, white face with roman numerals. When the watch arrived it was exactly what I ordered , but when I checked the Model number on the case it did not match the model I received. The number was for a smooth bezel model which means the watch was modified at some point.

I contacted the dealer and gave him hell. His reply was that this is very common in the industry and wasn't a big deal. Remember this was a reputable gray dealer. My reply was
BS, and they should state in the ad that it was a conversion. I returned the watch a got my money back. Needless to say I will never buy from them again.

The lesson I learned through this experience is ask many questions and do so via email so there is a record. Print or save the ad prior to buying.

[emmagee]

Thanks again, guys.

Tools, I imagine this watch will be fine with her, we'll see when I give it to her

Cmkooli, yes, I agree and I figured it was just a sales technique, but it was the first day the watch was listed and, as I indicated, I was fine with the price originally posted. I always ask if there's any room on the price, sometime it make the difference on if I buy, sometimes not. I had decided to buy it even if no further discount was allowed, so no big deal.

The upshot is this was my second purchase from this seller and although I had some concerns when I initially received the watch, they were handled in a professional matter. I would not hesitate to purchase another watch from him,

[emmagee]

I should also add that this AM after thinking about this a bit more I realized I thought I had seen this watch before. It was offered for sale on another site prior to me buying it and I had contacted the seller, but it had already been sold. Of course, the individual was selling it for a bit less than I paid!

[cwru32]

ask guys here about true worth of the watch you have bought for wife.
if you paid the fair price, and then you say that it is in excellent shape, then what is the problem? it still looks good on wifes wrist, you will be a sweetheart and all is good. however, if you overpaid, you can simply return the watch. weather its a right pic or not...think simple! and curse seperationists up north! LOL