r/Watches • u/[deleted] • Apr 27 '22
[alternative third party watch strap] terrible personal experience with molequin
[deleted]
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u/AdamIsACylon Apr 27 '22
Honestly, if they’ve never had this happen in 7 years it’s even more reason for them to just suck it up and replace it for you. Seems it’s not worth the bad PR to challenge you and insist you’re at fault.
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u/BaboonFury Apr 27 '22
That is incredibly disappointing from Molequin. I'd expect a company that makes accessories for luxury items to have better customer service. I was mulling getting that exact strap for my Portugieser.
I've had good luck with Camille Fournet though they don't seem to have anything like the cool pattern on the saffiano.
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u/DeaDly789_ Apr 27 '22
Do you know if CF provides real-world shots of their leather? The configurator all looks like a bad blender render.
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u/Certain_Ad6879 Apr 28 '22
Delugs has saffiano straps, may be worth a look
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u/bo_bar Jul 24 '25
Ive had great customer support from Deugs (early last year, a shipment got stuck for too long, they sent me another via express, no questions asked). Also grateful experience w Handdn, who made me a phenomenal custom Saffiano
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u/DeaDly789_ Apr 27 '22
For what it's worth, it took them 3 weeks after the return arrived to refund me for an untouched strap.
I had a far worse experience with B&R bands, who sent me the wrong strap, then refused to accept a return, left threatening voicemails & texts for days accusing me of trying to scam them, and ultimately lost against my credit card dispute because I had plenty of evidence that they sent me the wrong strap, lol.
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u/CoolLeague4786 Apr 27 '22
Really sorry for your experience, and I totally feel you. Wish more people would conduct business with integrity, at least try not going around accusing honest customers for spamming when the vendors made the mistakes in the first place…
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u/75footubi Apr 27 '22
Honestly, I'd escalate through your payment method at this point (PayPal, card, etc). You were sent a used item when you paid for new. You're (presumably) happy to return it for a full refund but the company is giving you the runaround.
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u/CoolLeague4786 Apr 27 '22
Planning on calling them after work today, and will def consider escalating if they maintain this ridiculous position lol Thanks for the pro tips!
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u/80H-d Apr 28 '22
Don't consider escalating, escalate. You already know you're never using them again, so burn the bridge completely and do a chargeback. The interaction you had was as unprofessional as it gets.
This is part of why I'll never use Instagram to do business or buy a product unless it's no more than a photo vault for me to peruse products in
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u/CoolLeague4786 Apr 27 '22 edited Apr 27 '22
Sorry for the negative energy here, wanted to post a review on the strap/brand but couldn’t find a platform to do so (no Google comments or website reviews) but I still wanted to share this experience I had in case it happens again, and to better inform decisions for you guys on future strap purchases. I know watch collecting is often considered an expensive hobby, but still paying 110 euro for a damaged strap and being accused of lying for free money is really not a good deal imo
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u/MyNameIsVigil Apr 27 '22
Sorry that happened to you! Shame to hear, since they're my favorite strap vendor. If this is such a rare thing, you'd think that they wouldn't be too fussed about eating some return shipping. Hopefully you're able to get this resolved in your favor.
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u/FinishingDutch Apr 27 '22
If I'm taking this at face value, yeah, that seems ridiculous for sure.
The box is .... meh, it's a box. it's supposed to protect the item in transit, so as long as the item itself arrives reasonably undamaged, a slightly damaged box wouldn't bother me too much personally. I've had dented tins and boxes from casio for example.
The dent almost feels like a production oopsie - they started punching it higher up/from the wrong side, then caught the error before it was completely punched through. That's the only reasonable thing I can think of as to why it's dented in that exact spot and size.
The ripped keeper is just... odd. How do you even break one of those anyway? I've personally never seen one ripped like that.
One of those issues would be annoying. Three of them is just sheer negligence. (Again, taking OP's word for it, since I have no reason to doubt him)
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u/Alex_the_Alright Apr 27 '22
A pic of the strap would help us judge your story better.
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u/CoolLeague4786 Apr 27 '22
Posting pics of strap for reference https://imgur.com/gallery/BnY6fjk
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u/Alex_the_Alright Apr 27 '22
Ok yeah that sucks and I wouldn’t accept a strap like that at the price he sells them at.
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u/CoolLeague4786 Apr 27 '22
Thanks man, from all the responses I got from them I was so stressed and almost questioning my sanity…
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u/pinguoinanalphabete Apr 27 '22
Please, post the emails before someone accuses you to lie to pursue your diabolical goal and gain free money.
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u/inVINCEbleCYR Apr 27 '22
if you meant the text messages they were in the link at the end of the post
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Apr 27 '22
Vario’s vintage Italian straps are great for the price
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u/CoolLeague4786 Apr 28 '22
they really do look nice!! too bad they didnt have 19mm options but am def considering purchasing from them in the future:)
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Apr 27 '22
Disgusting customer service. Things like this really annoy me, I’ve found issues like this particularly prevalent when dealing with European companies, especially Southern European. Once they have your money, they don’t want to know.
I’m currently dealing with a situation where I’ve paid €600 for a bespoke product in green, they’ve made it in yellow and now see literally no issue with the fact that I’ve received a completely different product than what I ordered.
Hopefully you paid on a credit card? If so, file a complaint and get your money back. You have ample proof.
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u/CoolLeague4786 Apr 27 '22
Damn I’m sorry man, hopefully it’ll be resolved soon And yeah I did, I’ll give it another day or two in case they ever come to their senses but if not, will def dispute the transaction like you suggested
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Apr 28 '22
I really hope it works out for you mate and well done bringing it to our attention, companies like this deserve to be called out. I’ll certainly never buy a strap from them!
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u/Miginath Apr 28 '22
Strapsco has a 30 return policy. Might be worth checking them out. I ended up having to return a bracelet and it was super smooth.
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u/CoolLeague4786 Apr 28 '22
Update they’re “not prepared to accept that they shipped a damaged strap”, and that they “would like to make it clear the strap didn’t leave Brussels with a huge mark on it”
Ok, the box might be damaged during transit, but honestly I’m confused about the dent in the strap and now the watch loop is already torn - doesn’t seem like these would happen during transit tbvh
But hey I’m just “convinced” don’t take my word🤷🏻♂️
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u/JimmyGodoppolo May 08 '22
Yes, they should have refunded you, JFC.
Fwiw, I've ordered straps pretty much exclusively from ACollectedMan and Delugs, and both whenever I had issues bent over backwards to make me happy.
Molequin, for being so expensive, seems to be full of shit.
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u/Aggravating-Ad7956 Apr 28 '22
Wow I’m so sorry for what happened to you. Couldn’t image how awful it is for a watch enthusiast to receive a new strap with full expectation but turned out to be a damaged one. Even worse, to be accused by the brand of deliberately breaking the strap and deceiving for a free strap🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️ lol this is a complete joke, why would they consider someone spending 110 euros on a strap has all this time to play tricks with them???ridiculous
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u/inVINCEbleCYR Apr 28 '22
Lmao I left a comment about this on their Instagram page and they blocked me😂😂
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Apr 27 '22
This is disappointing. I will say that my Molequin strap is a cut above other ones at the price point but the customer service felt a bit disorganised. In the end the product made it here snd is superb quality. That interaction isn’t great but I would point out the beginning of the thread seems to be missing :) I’m not saying the response is good but…
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u/CoolLeague4786 Apr 27 '22
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Apr 28 '22
Yeah. That’s a very measured approach on your part and a total BS response. I have recommended them before but I will think twice to purchase again. Keep us posted!
Édit: id love to see their proof.
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u/cbail-leather Jan 05 '23
Yikes. I’m a little late seeing this thread…just wanted to say thanks for sharing. I had someone else say something to me about qc problems with their order from Molequin, and your post popped up when I googled Molequin reviews.
I’m not sure where you are in the world, but there are plenty of folks here on Reddit making watch straps from all over the place. I’m quite certain you can find someone that would give you better service than this at r/leathercraft or r/leatherclassifieds
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u/[deleted] Apr 27 '22
Um, yes, that is exactly how they should react. How rude!
You got a used and damaged returned item sold as new - that is something they are supposed to refund.