Cartier
| | August 4, 2010

Breaking: Cartier Sues Sale Site Hautelook Over “Fake” Watches & Bruised Ego

According to court documents released yesterday, luxury watch and accessories brand Cartier filed suit against Hautelook, the online sample sale site, for over $2 million. After secretly purchasing 5 Cartier watches from the site, Cartier claims that the products are “secondhand”, “damaged”, and (insert gasp here) possibly “unauthentic” (Hautelook denies the claims.) Cartier also alleges that the items arrived in the wrong packaging “and/or are accompanied by defaced/damaged Certificates of Authenticity.” Sounds more like something you would buy on Canal Street than a legitimate members-only sale site, like Editor’s Closet that too sells Cartier watches (only more legitimate).

Cartier even goes so far to claim that Hautelook has never, “partnered with Cartier and is not an authorized dealer of Cartier’s merchandise.” Ouch. If Hautelook is found guilty, the LA-based company will have to pay Cartier all profits from the falsified products and clear Cartier’s name and logos from the site. Investigations about other brands Hautelook offers are expected to begin once the verdict has been decided.

If you ask us, it looks like Hautelook went a little too far for love. Get the real deal from Saks Fifth Avenue or Portero.

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by Brittany Zwillich  |  Tagged in :    

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comments
  • TheresaKP

    They should definitely investigate other brands. I bought a “Marc Jacobs” watch from this site, & I had a funny feeling it wasn’t the real deal – it just didn’t seem quite right & also came with no instructions.

  • Arden

    I checked their FAQ and they claim to partner directly with brands as well as to offer “Select Sales Events” which they describe as offering:
    “Guaranteed Authenticity: HauteLook Select sale events go through a multi-step verification process and we guarantee 100% authenticity.”
    As well:
    “Premium Brands, Premium Merchandise: HauteLook Select sale events feature only the most desirable brands and new, high-quality merchandise. No secondhand merchandise, ever.”
    And:
    “HauteLook Certified Partners: To participate in HauteLook Select sale events, partners must first go through an extensive certification process to ensure authenticity, quality, and integrity of product.”
    It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
    I have purchased clothing (Da Nang, 7 for All Mankind, One Life) from them and not been disappointed. But now my trust in Hautelook is shaken.
    I don’t think Hautelook is the only one deserving a closer look. I purchased Hanky Panky thongs from RueLaLa and they were so obviously fake! I compared them to my authentic items, the lace quality and fit were different and there was no tag. Rue La La would not accept the return. Too bad I gave away most of the evidence, although I still have a few of the knock offs in my Goodwill-bound bag.
    Definitely worthy of investigation. Kudos to SheFinds for breaking this story!