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Paulsky · 29 March 2018, 01:26 AM

I recently bought a rare Seiko SARB009 from Vkuong, a Vietnam based collector.
The overall experience has left a bad taste in my mouth. The warning signs were there, but I didn’t heed them. He claimed the watch had recently been serviced but couldn’t provide any proof. He also asked that the PayPal payment be made as a gift to friends and family. He claimed that the watch was in 96% condition with flawless front and back crystal.
The watch arrived without even a token box or container, just plastic. The back crystal was scuffed and scratched. The spring bars were badly twisted and in bad shape. One pin fell out of the bracelet and had to be replaced, another is close to falling out. The bracelet itself is pretty scuffed.
Overall impression. While I can’t say it was a total scam, I do feel that I was misled by the description and I now have serious doubts that the watch was actually serviced. Bottom line: no way would I buy from this individual again nor would I recommend him as a seller.

cop414 · 29 March 2018, 05:16 AM

He shows no posts and no threads here on TRF, how did you conduct this transaction?
Have you contacted him to see if he’ll make this right.

Paulsky · 29 March 2018, 08:03 AM

If you do a search, he’s got a couple of reviews from the past two years.
Look for Seiko SARB009 for sale and one of his old posts will come up.
I’ve been in touch with him, detailing my concerns but he hasn’t offered to make it right. I’ll get in touch again but I doubt he’ll respond. Just doesn’t seem like an honest operator. I blame myself. Should have held off. It’ll be a valuable lesson.

MonBK · 29 March 2018, 08:07 AM

Is he a member here?

Paulsky · 30 March 2018, 05:15 AM

I’m assuming he is. Otherwise he wouldn’t have been able to advertise here.

sleddog · 30 March 2018, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paulsky

I’m assuming he is. Otherwise he wouldn’t have been able to advertise here.

He hasn’t posted here, not even one post?! He joined in May ‘17, and hasn’t logged back on since.
If he did infact ‘advertise’ here, it was via an email, where you chose to deal with a zero count member and no references.

I feel your pain, but can’t help but wonder why so many take the chance with a complete stranger over the interwebs?

Paulsky · 31 March 2018, 02:22 PM

I’ve had one good experience buying on this forum and I guess it lulled me into a false sense of security. It’ll definitely be a lesson for the future. I mean the watch itself is nice, but the guy just isn’t an honest seller. Plus, the price range of around 500 seemed like a relatively safe range not to get ripped off. I guess this is how one learns.
Thanks for commiserating.

MinMay · 1 April 2018, 02:43 AM

Based on your review, it's good enough for me to stay clear away from him. I'm sure a lot will do the same.
Thanks for sharing.

TempoKing · 4 April 2018, 08:43 AM

I like what you bought ..
how much was the Seiko SARB009 you bought from the guy in Vietnam ?
I have seen them new for $585

Paulsky · 5 April 2018, 07:21 AM

Tempo King, we agreed on $570. It’s a discontinued model. Nice watch, just not a particularly stand-up dealer.

29 March 2018, 01:26 AM	#1
Paulsky "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: New York City Posts: 87	Beware of Vkuong I recently bought a rare Seiko SARB009 from Vkuong, a Vietnam based collector. The overall experience has left a bad taste in my mouth. The warning signs were there, but I didn’t heed them. He claimed the watch had recently been serviced but couldn’t provide any proof. He also asked that the PayPal payment be made as a gift to friends and family. He claimed that the watch was in 96% condition with flawless front and back crystal. The watch arrived without even a token box or container, just plastic. The back crystal was scuffed and scratched. The spring bars were badly twisted and in bad shape. One pin fell out of the bracelet and had to be replaced, another is close to falling out. The bracelet itself is pretty scuffed. Overall impression. While I can’t say it was a total scam, I do feel that I was misled by the description and I now have serious doubts that the watch was actually serviced. Bottom line: no way would I buy from this individual again nor would I recommend him as a seller.

29 March 2018, 05:16 AM	#2
cop414 TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Apr 2012 Real Name: Tim Location: Pennsylvania Watch: 14060M Posts: 72,234	He shows no posts and no threads here on TRF, how did you conduct this transaction? Have you contacted him to see if he’ll make this right. __________________ Rolex Submariner 14060M Omega Seamaster 2254.50 DOXA Professional 1200T Card carrying member of TRF's Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons TRF's "After Dark" Bar & NightClub Patron P Club Member #17 2 FA ENABLED

29 March 2018, 08:03 AM	#3
Paulsky "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: New York City Posts: 87	If you do a search, he’s got a couple of reviews from the past two years. Look for Seiko SARB009 for sale and one of his old posts will come up. I’ve been in touch with him, detailing my concerns but he hasn’t offered to make it right. I’ll get in touch again but I doubt he’ll respond. Just doesn’t seem like an honest operator. I blame myself. Should have held off. It’ll be a valuable lesson.

29 March 2018, 08:07 AM	#4
MonBK Banned Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kingstown Posts: 58,279	Is he a member here?

30 March 2018, 05:15 AM	#5
Paulsky "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: New York City Posts: 87	I’m assuming he is. Otherwise he wouldn’t have been able to advertise here.

31 March 2018, 02:22 PM	#7
Paulsky "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: New York City Posts: 87	I’ve had one good experience buying on this forum and I guess it lulled me into a false sense of security. It’ll definitely be a lesson for the future. I mean the watch itself is nice, but the guy just isn’t an honest seller. Plus, the price range of around 500 seemed like a relatively safe range not to get ripped off. I guess this is how one learns. Thanks for commiserating.

1 April 2018, 02:43 AM	#8
MinMay Banned Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: United States Posts: 2,410	Based on your review, it's good enough for me to stay clear away from him. I'm sure a lot will do the same. Thanks for sharing.

4 April 2018, 08:43 AM	#9
TempoKing Banned Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Anastasios Location: Athens Greece Watch: Rolex GMT 1675 Posts: 8,497	I like what you bought .. how much was the Seiko SARB009 you bought from the guy in Vietnam ? I have seen them new for $585

5 April 2018, 07:21 AM	#10
Paulsky "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: New York City Posts: 87	Tempo King, we agreed on $570. It’s a discontinued model. Nice watch, just not a particularly stand-up dealer.

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