zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

Thanks for the compliment, but I'm not an attorney. I do work in contract negotiation, however, and have been involved in international trade for about 15 years, so I do have some thoughts on this--.

1. Unfortunately, just getting a lawsuit here off the ground is going to be cost-prohibitive. Speaking generally, "low end" sellers count on attracting, um, "cost conscious" buyers in the first place. If you can't afford the difference between what they are charging and an AD deal, tehy doubt you'll be able to cough up the two grand it will cost to initiate a speculative lawsuit (as this surely is).

2. If you do go after them, you'll be a one-up guy going after a ramped up team. They've dealt w/ lawsuits before, know how to delay and keep your attorney's meter ticking -- even as their own "on staff" guy simply fills out paperwork to keep you hopping, amongst his or her other duties.

3. Their sales agreement and/or terms probably places jurisdiction someplace convenient to them, and costly to you to get to in order to advance your case.

4. Reporting folks to the BBB, attorney general, et al., sounds tough. But ask yourself: Did you check w/ any of those folks before buying from the seller you know question?

5. This is "their" playing field, and they've got the home team advantage there.

My suggestion might be that you consider a modified version of something I've brought up here before. Visibility. Shine the light of marketplace public opinion on them.

Chronocentric neither has a "Rogue's Gallery of Sellers" nor a "number of active members" banner indicating the total number of users (at least not that I'm aware of). Maybe that's not even a good idea, given the liability to which it might expose Chronocentric for statements it could not substantiate.

However--

You could place a new Post here in this Forum under a title that included the name of your Seller. And "Update on my experience with ~" sort of thing. Then, w/out going ape or casting a negative light, explain that you bought this watch, that you've sent it in for repair based on x-conditions, and that this Seller is working on it for you. And that you'll keep us posted.

Next step: Each of us that cares about your plight simply responds to that post, "Thanks, keep me posted," or whatever. And the thread gets long. That gives an indication of how many people are "watching" your case -- and your Seller.

When the thread looks big enough to "impress" them, send them an eMail w/ a link to the Post and say, "Thanks for moving so quickly and professionally on this. I've got __ people on Chronocentric, number 9 of the top 100 watch sites, waiting to hear how this turns out."

You can count on me to reply there for sure.

Like I said, I'm not a lawyer and I don't play one on TV. But I have been in marketing, PR, and crisis communications management for more than a day or two. So this would be my approach.

That, and, if you buy a grey market watch, expect that your "savings" is simply a subsidy for your own expense in paying for warranty work.

Link to my Omega Seamaster 2254.50 review
Link to my Omega Seamaster 2255.80 review
Link to my Omega Seamaster 2531.80 review
Link to my Omega Seamaster 2541.80 review
Link to my Omega Seamaster 2561.80 review