Partial retention of down payment without legal basis
My rating/experience solely refers to the communication and confidence of the dealer, that I met via Chrono24:
• I made an offer for a Patek Philippe (below asking price) via Chrono24
• Advertisement said “Authentic” and “Full Set with Original Papers”
• Dealer searched (and contacted) me via Social Media
• Out of Chrono24, dealer agreed to my offer (due to “high charges” within Chrono24)
• We agreed to meet in my Hometown (provided that everything fits)
• Details of first issuer in papers provided were not as they typically are with Patek
• (Only a 08/15 name and PO Box given/no authorized Patek Dealer according to patek.com)
• Dealer disclosed that he is not the owner and (without my request) sent me details of the alleged owner, asking me to obtain confirmation of authenticity there (as if that would confirm it)
• Dealer then proactively asked me to contact Patek and get historical approval on details of the first issuer that is stated in the papers, which I agreed to do.
• Patek asked for full document (that I provided) and then clearly stated in written, that they can not confirm details stated in the document. I decided: Better safe than sorry.
• Dealer meant that this said nothing about the authenticity of the watch and that he would be “tired of convincing” me.
• Authenticity in my opinion includes adequate papers that stand up to inspection by PP – which, unfortunately, was not the case.
• He then decided to, without any alignmet, keep 50% of my downpayment for his “Service”
• Call me naive: I rather expected an apology
In total, this brought me to the opinion, that my customer experience was insufficient and that I can not recommend this dealer – primarily due to the impression, that he has no experience with Patek as a brand.