Three weeks after suing private sales site HauteLook.com, Cartier set its sights on two other flash Web sites.
In a complaint filed Thursday in the Southern District of New York, the company alleged that ILS Holdings LLC and Swiss Watch International Inc., owners of EditorsCloset.com and IvoryTrunk.com, sold “refurbished and/or damaged” Cartier watches.
Cartier, which is owned by Swiss luxury group Compagnie Financière Richemont, claimed the defendants also sold Cartier goods shipped in “damaged packaging,” which was, in some cases, accompanied by “defaced and damaged” certificates of authenticity.
The watchmaker said the defendants did not disclose to their customers that the products were not backed by Cartier’s manufacturer’s warranty, and they even go “so far as to include” the warranty booklet along with the merchandise, leading customers to “believe that the watches are covered” by the warranty.
The plaintiffs seek injunctive and monetary relief.
Later on Thursday, Cartier also filed suit against Philippe’s Inc., a Beverly Hills-based retailer that also runs an eBay store, for false advertising and unfair competition.
Cartier alleged the retailer, which is not an authorized dealer, advertised that it sells Cartier watches, and used the company’s sales materials in its storefront displays. Philippe’s allegedly misrepresented Cartier’s warranty, and sold watches that “materially differ from Cartier products.”
ILS and its affiliates didn’t respond to requests for comment, and officials at Philippe’s declined to comment on the allegations.
Cartier is looking for a permanent injunction, as well as monetary relief, including attorneys’ fees and other expenses.