What to do if you purchased a fake watch online?

Flag it right away...

Sometimes you can flag a fake watch based on the photos available when you really observe the details of the watch. Unfortunately, photos are often not sharp or detailed enough and the movement is almost never shown in pictures. We experienced the purchase of multiple fake watches and we will outline what to do when you have purchased a fake watch or a watch that is not correct.

Make sure to document your observations and findings by using pictures and videos. 

Find an expert!

It's a nightmare. You receive the watch you have been patiently waiting for, splurging a huge amount of cash and it comes in. You open the box and when you see it, there comes a feeling of doubt and uncertainty. When you try it on, it doesn't feel good. Is it just old or in poor condition? Or did I just purchased a watch? Nobody will see it anyway right? Shit... I want to sort this out...

If you think or know your watch is not correct or authentic watch, get your watch authenticated by an experienced brand watchmaker. You have the following options to get your watch authenticated:

1. Go to a watchmaker you know which has the expertise to check your watch
2. Go to an authorized dealer that handles your brand (hope are on good terms with them...)
3. Submit your watch for authentication by Relleb

Fake or incorrect watches are not always visibile on photo's...

Making your case

After you have had your watch checked and the watch turns out to be a fake or contains fake parts, then follow the next steps to make sure you get your build a solid case.

• Make sure to download the listing before your purchase a watch so you are always able to go back to the original listing if required
• The first step is to contact the seller and market place service desk (e.g. eBay, Chrono24 etc.) and explain them you think you acquired a fake or incorrect watch.
• In case a watchmaker already checked the watch, make sure to document (photos and videos) your observations and explain what is wrong.
• Email your observations to the seller and market place service desk to support your case.
• Most sellers and service desk are easy to contact and will usually respond. Mostly the service desk of a market place is the best place to go for a quick follow up. They are very willing to come to a sounding solution for both the seller and the buyer
• Make sure to stand your ground as sometimes sellers push that their watches are correct. Make sure to be precise in your case and explain to the seller and service desk why you are convinced that your watch is not correct.
• We always recommend to ask for a reimbursement of your authentication costs and to send the watch back to the seller.
• If you encounter any problems in coming to a sound solution, feel free to contact us here at Relleb and we are happy to help you further.

Getting your money back

Make sure to stand your ground against both the seller as the market place service desk. If you have a strong case, by following the steps above, they have to agree with your position and are legally obligated (in almost all countries) to fully reimburse you for any costs.

In the case of a fake or incorrect watch, make sure to be reimbursed for all your expenses. So next to the price you paid for the watch, you should ask back any costs you incurred for returning the item, authentication costs and other costs you may have incurred (such as insurance fees during shipment). 

We strongly recommend to only send back the watch when you have a mutual agreement.

Keep your calm

Keep your calm during the whole process is a challenge on its own. You migh be emotional, feeling angry and frustrated. But keeping calm will help you finding a sounding solution. We know it is hard, but it does help speeding up the process in many cases

Need help?

We hope this blog about what to do if you purchased a fake watch will give you some support in helping you out when (you think) you bought a fake watch.

If you need any help, feel free to contact us to support you. In case your are looking to buy a watch online and don't want to be bother with what to do if you purchased a fake watch, you can also buy a watch online with our independent authentication service.

Independent authentication service.

Certainty over authenticity and quality.

Get started

Relleb

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Chrono24 review: our experiences buying multiple watches

How to safely buy a watch on Chrono24 in 6 steps

The Rolex serial number check explained

How we authenticated a Rolex Hulk 116610LV