WatchUSeek Watch Forums banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Sakurawatches.com sent me damaged watch twice. Not recommend them.

Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 28 Posts
F

fatum

· Registered
Joined
·
147 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
So, I bought a watch from sakurawatches.com - Citizen NB1041-84L

The first watch they sent me had a scratch near 10 o'clock position. Showing it from different angles because it looks differently from different angles.


I immediately contacted them and they agreed to exchange it.
After two weeks of waiting I received a new watch. And guess what - it has a scratch again. This time near 12 o'clock position:


Because this time the scratch is smaller, I am not going to return it. It would also be hard to explain why tax return should be done for the second time (I applied for import tax return when I returned the first watch because I need to pay it again when the replacement arrives). I will try to carefully polish it out with Cape code wipes. (polishing a supposedly new watch.....)

It was my first and definitely will be the last purchase from them. I got hugely spoiled mood, wasted time to send it back and apply for import tax return.
I did a fast search and found at least one more feedback about them sending damaged watch.
 
#2 ·
That's really a bummer, sorry to hear about this experience. Likely left that way from the factory, but Sakura could've done a better job 'QC'ing', particularly on the replacement unit. On the upside, that's a very nice looking watch, and the scratches are superficial enough it'll easily polish out, but most will probably end up putting far worse scratches on it themselves in the period of a month. Easier said than done, but try not to let this ruin your enjoyment of a great watch.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
I wonder if I will not make more scratches than it has now when try to polish it with cape code.
The bad thing is the place of it:for some reason when I look at the watch the light always fall at the scratch and it is noticeable.
 
#5 ·
Here's another thread about Sakura, they are of course aftermarket sellers, and such issues come with the playing field, I think...
www.watchuseek.com

Anyone purchase from Sakura watches?

Hello G-Shock friends! I'm considering purchasing a pricey watch from this web site, Sakura watches. I've looked at the site, and I see no obvious reason for concern. However, its low prices for some watches make me a bit reluctant. What do you guys think? They allow for Paypal purchases, so I...
www.watchuseek.com www.watchuseek.com
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
They proposed me to return it again. But, as I said, I am not going to go trough the hassle of doing it again. I exchanged 7 emails with customs and still haven't returned the tax for previous watch. Having to wait again for 2 weeks and stay anxious all this time - my health is more important to me than some watch.
 
#7 ·
fatum said:
I wonder if I will not make more scratches than it has now when try to polish it with cape code.
The bad thing is the place of it:for some reason when I look at the watch the light always fall at the scratch and it is noticeable.
Click to expand...
It depends on how "observant" you are to scratches. Cape Cod is great for removing hairline scratches, but it always, inevitably by nature, leaves micro swirls at one macro level or another. If you strive absolute factory-perfection the most economical way is actually to do an exchange for another example with an all factory-polishing. An all polished bezel, like on my Explorer, is not psychologically kind to people like us; I'm learning to accept wabi as the nature of the beast, and it does build character methinks.
 
#9 ·
MX793 said:
Sakura is grey market, correct? The GMs frequently get leftover display models, so you are likely to find some minor blemishes from handling.
Click to expand...
On their front page: OFFICIAL JAPANESE DEALER

Sorry to hear OP, I've only ordered from them once and didn't have a problem. Good luck.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Too late - I tried to polish those marks away, but instead just got a small piece of bezel which doesn't look as polished as the rest of it.
I wish I've never bought from this seller. Total disaster and wasted 600 euro. I don't even want to look at it now.
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
Another lesson learnt - don't try to be cheap if can't accept even minor imperfections. Another rule I learnt this year - never buy used even if it looks OK. Such things just don't work for someone as picky as me. I'm sure someone else wouldn't even notice it coz it will not cross his mind to check a new watch. Later on he would think that it is him who made this scratch and no regrets would occur about the purchase.
 
Discussion starter · #13 · (Edited)
On the other hand, it absolutely possible that it is not their fault and it just came like that from a factory.
But I still think I have all rights to publish my experience - people then can decide if it stops them or not. Maybe I wouldn't buy it from them if I read something like that. Who knows.
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
OnlyOneMore said:
Wear it for a week and they will be totally obscured by the other scratches it's going to pick up.

A new watch only looks new for a very short period of time
Click to expand...
I am that kind of person who keeps everything clean and tidy. That's why all my stuff looks like new. I and my friend bought pairs of the same sneakers; in a year mine looked like new, and his like trash. Because I look where I step, I clean them, I wash them when needed.
All my watches look at least at 4+ even after being worn - only minor inevitable scratches. When I come home and take them off I wash them under water.

And it is sad because I am a fan of japanese watches. They could have become my permanent source of watches.
 
#15 ·
fatum said:
Too late - I tried to polish those marks away, but instead just got a small piece of bezel which doesn't look as polished as the rest of it.
I wish I've never bought from this seller. Total disaster and wasted 600 euro. I don't even want to look at it now.
Click to expand...
If you do intend on keeping it and not selling don't let relegate it to a drawer. Bring it to a reputable jeweler/watchmaker, they should have finer polishing wheels to buff it to like new. It is, however, why I suggested going the replacement route would be more economically sound, as a great polish job is likely over $80, at least where I am.
 
#16 ·
JTK Awesome said:
On their front page: OFFICIAL JAPANESE DEALER

Sorry to hear OP, I've only ordered from them once and didn't have a problem. Good luck.
Click to expand...
That apparently doesn't show up on their mobile site. I browsed their "about us" page and their FAQ. The words "Authorized dealer" as it pertains to any given brand do not appear. Nor do I see "official dealer" as it pertains to any brand. The phrase "official dealer" could simply mean they have a dealer's license issued by Japan, which is completely separate from being an authorized dealer for a brand. They do not have the Seiko authorized retailer emblem on their home page or their Seiko product pages.

I also don't see them on Citizen's authorized online retailer list.
 
#17 ·
Fatum, try using diamond lapping compound. It comes in many different grades (grit size) and can be used to polish to a mirror finish good enough for examining under magnification. I used to use it in a lab to polish metal samples for photographing under a microscope. This combined with a dremel (or similar) tool at low speed with a buffer pad fitted should sort the scratches. It will take time and patience, but worth the effort for an expensive watch.

Something like this as an example of what I'm talking about:
Diamond Lapping Paste - Arc Euro Trade

I have no experience with the company, so the link isn't a recommendation :)
 
#18 ·
I know it's easier said than done but you should try to just let it go. I notice high polish/smooth bezels seem to pick up scratches like crazy anyway, I've had my Grand Seiko for less than a month and the bezel somehow already has several scratches on it even with me babying it.
 
#20 ·
A good local watchmaker should be able to make it look new again for a reasonable price. For your peace of mind, it might be worth it to have someone look at it down the road so you can wear it again and enjoy it as a "new" watch.

Sorry to hear about your issues, and I hope you get them resolved to your satisfaction.

Good luck.
 
1 - 20 of 28 Posts
About this Discussion
27 Replies
16 Participants
Last post:
Aleksandar123
WatchUSeek Watch Forums
posts
24M
members
618K
Since
2005
A forum community dedicated to watch owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about watch collections, displays, watch winders, accessories, classifieds, and more! We welcome all manufacturers including Casio G-Shock, OMEGA, Rolex, Breitling, Rolex and Tudor, Seiko, Grand Seiko and others.
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Public Forum Watches - Private Sellers and Sponsors Affordable watches Dive watches Casio G-Shock