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Warranty Card is blank...

7.1K views 11 replies 7 participants last post by  Watchalex  
#1 ·
I got a new RW in the mail yesterday, but the warranty card is blank.....
Suggestions?

I bought it from watchgrabber.com....
 
#5 ·
Thanks guys....
Now I need to decide if I want to keep it and risk not having the warranty...
The watch seems to be Brand New, but I guess you never know....

The MSRP was $1395 and I paid $563.....

My other options are to return this one and look on these forums for a pre-owned watch or I keep this one and hope for the best....
 
#6 ·
I think that if you like the watch and if it is properly functioning, you should keep it. It seems it is a good deal. Even though it is a grey market purchase, that doesn't mean it's used by any means. Many, if not most, new watch purchases on this forum seem to be made via grey market.
 
#10 · (Edited)
Rpearlberg: firstly, welcome to WUS and congrats on your RW.

Yes, gray market goods do not come with a manufacturer's warranty. Gray market goods are not to be confused with illegal goods; gray markets are genuine, authentic goods, which are sold through unauthorized channels, typically, by an Authorized Dealer (AD), who wants the surplus stock off of its shelves, etc. to make room for the new stuff, to a non-AD, who in turn sells the product to you but as a non-AD, is not authorized as such by the manufacturer and hence doesn't/can't validate the warranty card, and why it remains blank. As to whether your watch is new and unused etc. and where exactly your watch came from, typically, gray market goods are not used but are new, but impossible to say without more, as others have said. Lots of people buy gray market, save a lot of money in turn, but yes, means there's no warranty in turn, as that's the flip-side of buying from a non-AD. But if there's nothing wrong with the one you have, then enjoy it as others have said. Doesn't make sense to send it back so as to buy a used one, I agree.

Cheers
 
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#11 ·
It's not about condition, a watch that is resold is classified "used". Many are discontinued and sold off to the
Gray Market, AD's included where they are sold as "used" and I sold a bunch and they come with a store
warranty.
Rpearlberg: firstly, welcome to WUS and congrats on your RW.

Yes, gray market goods do not come with a manufacturer's warranty. Gray market goods are not to be confused with illegal goods; gray markets are genuine, authentic goods, which are sold through unauthorized channels, typically, by an Authorized Dealer (AD), who wants the surplus stock off of its shelves, etc. to make room for the new stuff, to a non-AD, who in turn sells the product to you but as a non-AD, is not authorized as such by the manufacturer and hence doesn't/can't validate the warranty card, and why it remains blank. As to whether your watch is new and unused etc. and where exactly your watch came from, typically, gray market goods are not used but are new, but impossible to say without more, as others have said. Lots of people buy gray market, save a lot of money in turn, but yes, means there's no warranty in turn, as that's the flip-side of buying from a non-AD. But if there's nothing wrong with the one you have, then enjoy it as others have said. Doesn't make sense to send it back so as to buy a used one, I agree.

Cheers
 
#12 ·
To the OP:

Don't return the watch. It's good, no worries. You have the store warranty instead of the mfr warranty. If the store is honest they will help you out should problems arise. After the end of the warranty period the companies don't ask anymore where you bought it. You will have to pay anyway.

Inspect the watch visually. Scratches, misaligned anything, prints off? Those are some things to look for. Check when the date turns, how accurate it is, if the power reserve is as promised, if the crown screws down properly (if it even has such a feature)? Those are the standard tests on any new watch. If the watch passes your test, it's good to go.

Legally, I'd think, not being a lawyer, that the term used is defined as an object that has actually been used. This would also be the dictionary definition. Not an object that is resold without having been used. It would probably be correct to say it is an unused product (as synonymous with new) in the secondary market, the primary market being the mfr to AD sale.

If the watch industry calls this used, it might be to "downgrade" this kind of product or "upgrade" the "real new" watch in order to bluff the buyer. For the buyer it makes no difference if the watch was previously only sold from the mfr to the AD or if it has been sold ten times. As long as the watch is never worn and in new condition, it is for his intents and purposed new, but carries a price closer to real used.

If there are two different terminologies in place, I'd rather stick to the legal definition because that's the one that matters in the end. But you obviously have to know the terminology used in the watch business to get what ordered. ;)

The thing I'd like to know would be to know what the difference between LNIB (like new in box) and Never Worn is. I can imagine NW means just that. Basically new. LNIB means that it might have been fitted and worn but there are no traces of wear on it. That's how I interpret it but maybe I'm wrong.

One thing to note is that a watch that has been making the grey circuit for sometimes years, might have been produced 5-7 years ago. A service would then be necessary sooner rather than later. So that has to be figured into the cost.

I'd also demand a substantial (30%) discount off any watch that is an in-store demo model and that they are trying to sell me for the new price. In fact, these can be righteously called used in the literal sense of the word. To tell the customer that this watch, worn by tens of people, is new (and sell it for the new price) but a never worn fully sealed watch from a grey dealer is used, is frankly a rather dishonest practice. It makes me angry when I think how many people are taken advantage off this way.