PayPal Purchase Not as Described (Watch Purchase Came in Generic Box)

Hi all,

After looking at reviews and feedback, I bought a watch from a shop with their own website. I used PayPal. The listing on their site says comes in original packaging but the watch comes in a generic box. I contact the seller directly and they reply that they will get back to me after talking to their supplier. They later phone me and say they're having trouble contacting the supplier so they offer a $30 partial refund but I refuse and tell them I'll wait. Which is weird to me because they knowingly sent a generic box despite their description claiming it will come with the original box. So they were banking on me not saying anything?

I know it's just a box and I could take the partial refund but the original box is important to me and I want to give the seller a chance to make it right. Am I wasting my time waiting for a response? Am I within rights to ask for a full refund? Should I do this through PayPal?

Thanks

Update: Not having the original box still bothered me so I returned the watch and got a refund. Noticed the listing was changed so I went through paypal but probably didn't need to as seller was pretty chill about it. Still, it's better to be safe than sorry. Overall good outcome minus the inconvenience of the return process. Best thing to remember is not to throw away packaging and tags for stuff straight away in case you need to return them.

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Comments

  • +5

    Maybe the original box is a generic box.

    Was the website via a Facebook ad?

    • I thought so too at first but watching unboxings on youtube showed that is was not the case.

      • +1

        Different global regions may have different boxes.

        • I thought so too but the watch in question is special edition so all watches in the series should have the same box. Unless there's another layer of special edition that comes with the box which is doubtful.

          The site was recommended on ozbargain actually and watch forums.

      • showed that is was not the case.

        What did the case look like?

  • +3

    Sounds like they are drop shipping. I doubt they can get you the original box even if they wanted to.

  • +1

    A picture is worth a thousand words.

    Help us to help you, show us what you expected and what you got.

    • +3

      Got this expected this

      • +8

        100% you should push.

        Nice watch. 9999 limited edition

      • +2

        Yeah the Naruto watch should be in the matching limited case - no exceptions.

        Even the generic box they sent you looks too flimsy and fake - that's possibly a fake AliExpress Seiko box.

        Did you get a warranty card and booklet?

        Was there a swing (hang) tag on the watch?

        I would demand a refund. I'm getting very suspicious vibes here.

        • Yes I got all 3 items and still have them intact. I wanted to give the seller a chance but after revision not giving the case in the first place is concerning given how unique it is.

      • +2

        Yep, definitely push them to send you the original LE packaging or offer a more persuasive discount should you be happy to go without it.
        I originally thought it was a case of PADI or Save The Ocean box vs generic box (which isn’t ideal, but not as bad), but in your case the LE roll packaging is distinctive and collectible enough to argue that it add a decent amount of value / collectibility to the whole product (which you no doubt pay for in premiums over a standard Seiko 5).

  • +8

    Am I within rights to ask for a full refund? Should I do this through Paypal?

    yes and yes.

    just do not cancel the item not as described case on paypal once you have initiated it, even if the seller comes back and says "oh we can get you the original box, can you cancel the paypal case for [bogus reason]" because once you have closed the case, you can't open another one, and the seller will just ghost you.

    • Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately I've dealt with that situation you described for clothing items and didn't close it for the same reason you stated.

      Would it be in poor form to just go straight to paypal or give the seller a chance to fix it?

      • +2

        Would it be in poor form to just go straight to paypal or give the seller a chance to fix it?

        i would contact the seller and tell them you want a refund, as the item they described is not what they sold you. give them maybe 3 business days to respond satisfactorily, if they do not respond or they say they won't give the refund, then submit the case.

        frankly, it would not be poor form to just do it right now, given that they lied about the item in the first place, but if you really want to, you can give them the chance to do it themselves (within a reasonable time frame).

      • Would it be in poor form to just go straight to paypal or give the seller a chance to fix it?

        You’ve already given them a chance.
        Also Paypal dispute won’t be instant, seller still can sort it out the issue, albeit now with a time limit.

        • +1

          So I was about to just email the seller directly for a refund but then I noticed he changed the listing to "comes with a standard seiko box". Luckily, I screen shotted the listing before he changed it. Went straight to paypal for this one. Hope it goes well.

  • IMO if you really want that particular watch you're wasting your time waiting for the seller. Return it and buy somewhere else before they sell out everywhere.

  • +1

    Can’t send what they never had

  • -7

    "Am I within rights to ask for a full refund?"

    Did you buy a watch or did you buy a box?

    • +1

      In other instances you may be right.
      But in this case it’s like paying extra for a steelbook version and then not receive the steelbook. And I didn’t neg you.

  • If the advert didn't say generic Seiko box then you have been robbed. Who's the seller? Do they have a good rep on https://www.watchuseek.com/? If so, let seller know how surprised you were not to get the real thing. Inference is you will diss them on WUS if they don't play ball. I would be well miffed not to get the SE box. Resale value drops without it.

  • When I buy stuff I want the full item not just part of it. That watch and the accompanying extras are all part of the experience of that watch so hell yeah, make a fuss and stand your ground. You have deffo not received the item you paid for.

    Also bear in mind it'll be worth much less without all the extras should you ever decide to sell it on.

    Do not settle for just the watch.

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