Subject: Urgent Inquiry Regarding Account Suspension

United Chrono24 Dealers

To the Management of Chrono24

Chrono24 GmbH

Haid-und-Neu-Straße 18,

76131 Karlsruhe, Germany

Friday, December 06, 2024

Subject: Follow-Up on October 23rd Meeting – Reaffirming Our Demand

Dear Sir or Madam,

We are writing to express our disappointment with the outcome of our meeting on October 23rd, 2024. While we appreciated the opportunity to discuss our concerns, the proposed solutions do not adequately address the key issues impacting our businesses. Representing over 900 professional watch dealers, we wish to reaffirm our position and outline the changes we believe are essential for a fair and sustainable partnership between Chrono24 and its dealer community:

1. Decrease and Cap on Commission Fees

We request that the commission fee for professional dealers be capped at 6.5%, consistent with the rate charged to private sellers. The current fees are excessively high and unsustainable, severely impacting our profitability. A fair cap will create a level playing field and allow us to continue operating successfully on the platform.

2. Transparent Pricing

We demand greater transparency and predictability in your pricing practices. The fluctuating commission structure creates uncertainty in our business planning. We request a return to fixed commissions, with any changes to fees clearly communicated and justified in advance to allow us to make informed decisions.

3. Ongoing Dealer Consultations

To foster a more collaborative relationship, we propose the establishment of an advisory board consisting of dealer representatives from different regions and business sizes. This board would facilitate ongoing dialogue, ensuring that our concerns are considered in any future decisions directly affecting our businesses.

4. Respect for Dealer Autonomy

We request that Chrono24 ensures transparency by allowing buyers to easily identify the dealer behind each listing. Specifically, we propose a visible link on each listing directing buyers to the dealer’s page. This feature would foster fair competition, build trust, and support long-term relationships between dealers and their customers.

5. Address Procurement Dealers

The rise of procurement dealers—those listing watches they do not physically have in stock—undermines the platform’s credibility and creates unfair competition. We urge Chrono24 to implement stricter policies, such as requiring that a minimum percentage of secondhand watch listings be physically in stock. To further ensure a fair marketplace, we suggest prioritizing dealers who meet shipping expectations, such as dispatching items within 1–2 business days, as is common on platforms like eBay. Additionally, we propose higher fees for dealers who fail to meet these requirements, such as an extra 3% surcharge on top of the capped 6.5% commission mentioned in point 1.

We believe these adjustments are vital to maintaining a fair and sustainable environment for dealers. While we remain committed to engaging in constructive dialogue with Chrono24, we want to make it clear that if these concerns are not addressed, we will be compelled to explore alternative options to safeguard our businesses.

We kindly ask for a prompt response and look forward to your cooperation in building a stronger and more equitable partnership.

Yours sincerely,

United Chrono24 Dealers