You ever buy a watch bc the price is right?

[tbonesteak]

Let's just say you're perusing classifieds here, ebay, and other watch sources - you see a watch that you've had some interest in over the past, but not a must have... Everything checks out, the pictures, seller, etc.

You ever just make a low offer and buy it if the seller accepts? Knowing you should be able to get out at a breakeven/small loss (or profit) should you be unhappy.

Any stories of good purchases (or bad) are appreciated.

[Bond's First Watch]

Originally Posted by tbonesteak

Let's just say you're perusing classifieds here, ebay, and other watch sources - you see a watch that you've had some interest in over the past, but not a must have... Everything checks out, the pictures, seller, etc.

You ever just make a low offer and buy it if the seller accepts? Knowing you should be able to get out at a breakeven/small loss (or profit) should you be unhappy.

Any stories of good purchases (or bad) are appreciated.

See my post on the DJII. Not a watch I'd normally buy, but I love it now.

[Stevec14]

No. I would only buy a watch I want. Chances are, if you don't really want it no one else will and you will need to flip at a loss......

[tbonesteak]

Originally Posted by Stevec14

No. I would only buy a watch I want. Chances are, if you don't really want it no one else will and you will need to flip at a loss......

Thanks for the opinion, I appreciate it, however I disagree a little and am trying to see if I'm wrong in my thinking.

I'm not saying something you don't want, I'm saying something you've had some interest in, but never enough to pull the trigger.

A real example I'll provide; I'm intrigued by the blue face Milgauss, not enough to pay anything close to retail, but enough where I'd like to own it and see if I fall in love with it. A private seller who lives close by to me posted one that was less than 6 months old on here for $5900 yesterday - I debated making an offer of like $5500 for it, knowing that if someone who didn't live close by offered like $5700, he would give consideration to my offer (considering I can pick it up same day with cash). You never know what reason a person is selling and some might just need the money quickly and take the offer. In the end, I didn't make an offer, but hypothetically, if I did and he accepted (and it isn't out of the realm of possibilities he would've) - it would've been a great price and at $5500, with patience if I didn't like it, I could've gotten out what I put in.

So I'm curious if others have had situations like this and how they turned out.

[Stevec14]

Originally Posted by tbonesteak

Thanks for the opinion, I appreciate it, however I disagree a little and am trying to see if I'm wrong in my thinking.

I'm not saying something you don't want, I'm saying something you've had some interest in, but never enough to pull the trigger.

A real example I'll provide; I'm intrigued by the blue face Milgauss, not enough to pay anything close to retail, but enough where I'd like to own it and see if I fall in love with it. A private seller who lives close by to me posted one that was less than 6 months old on here for $5900 yesterday - I debated making an offer of like $5500 for it, knowing that if someone who didn't live close by offered like $5700, he would give consideration to my offer (considering I can pick it up same day with cash). You never know what reason a person is selling and some might just need the money quickly and take the offer. In the end, I didn't make an offer, but hypothetically, if I did and he accepted (and it isn't out of the realm of possibilities he would've) - it would've been a great price and at $5500, with patience if I didn't like it, I could've gotten out what I put in.

So I'm curious if others have had situations like this and how they turned out.

That's fair enough. I guess I'm used to being in the uk where bargains are hard to come by. If you are sure you could flip then why not I guess.

[Bond's First Watch]

This is an interesting post for sure. When I first became interested in Rolex watches, I wanted a 14060. I have yet to actually buy one.

[tbonesteak]

Originally Posted by Bond's First Watch

This is an interesting post for sure. When I first became interested in Rolex watches, I wanted a 14060. I have yet to actually buy one.

This is exactly what I'm getting at and trying to see who has experience with this.

A 14060 is far from an obscure model that has your interest and a market. Hypothetically, they're selling for $100 (just as an example, and wish lol), you find a legitimate private seller nearby who has it for $90 and he takes your offer of $80... Curious how this has wound up for people who have engaged in similar transactions.

[breitlings]

I like the price is right. Dream car week, one of the prizes was a 148k maserati today.

[r8t3d_M]

Yes, I did it last month. I was just browsing when I found the black dial 16570 that I thought about adding to the stable eventually. I decided to offer a couple hundred less than the asking price, the seller accepted and I had it within a few days..

[tbonesteak]

Originally Posted by r8t3d_M

Yes, I did it last month. I was just browsing when I found the black dial 16570 that I thought about adding to the stable eventually. I decided to offer a couple hundred less than the asking price, the seller accepted and I had it within a few days..

Congrats!

Happy with the watch? Any regrets?

[r8t3d_M]

Originally Posted by tbonesteak

Congrats!

Happy with the watch? Any regrets?

Thank you! No regrets at all, I’m grateful to be able to own both variations. If watches had feelings I think the polar version would be a bit jealous as the black dial has been seeing a lot more wrist time..

[RichardF]

The white dial Explorer II has always been one of my favorites too.

[ras47]

I only know about what I like, and I only buy what I know about.

[AK797]

No that's too cynical for me, I'll only buy what I want to wear and if I know the resale will be strong due to the price then I'll wear the watch snug with that extra comfort blanket.

[Rockrolex]

Several times I have offered at least several hundred less than the seller was asking. Each time, the seller accepted my offer and I had the watch within a couple of days. I have had no regrets and the watches are now part of my general rotation.

[MonBK]

Of course.

[Richard Carver]

Exactly how I got my 16570. I'd wanted one for years but never enough to pay the price. In '15 I saw a Polar at a well known dealer for a crazy price, 24 hours later it was here. It's on a jubilee now.

[brandrea]

I've never done this, but now you've got me thinking of making a bunch of low ball offers

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I've never done this, but now you've got me thinking of making a bunch of low ball offers

Stay away from my offerings.

[tbonesteak]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

Stay away from my offerings.

Need a DD40 in WG rhodium stripe, offering $12,500 cash

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by tbonesteak

Need a DD40 in WG rhodium stripe, offering $12,500 cash

Haha! Never. That's my coffin watch.

[wach16]

I purchased my JLC off a buddy who was looking to free up some cash. Always liked the watch but never enough to pay the market value for it. Ended up getting a great deal on it that I couldn't refuse

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by tbonesteak

Let's just say you're perusing classifieds here, ebay, and other watch sources - you see a watch that you've had some interest in over the past, but not a must have... Everything checks out, the pictures, seller, etc.

You ever just make a low offer and buy it if the seller accepts? Knowing you should be able to get out at a breakeven/small loss (or profit) should you be unhappy.

Any stories of good purchases (or bad) are appreciated.

Yes and I regretted it and sold it at a loss

[tbonesteak]

Originally Posted by beshannon

Yes and I regretted it and sold it at a loss

What was it?

[cjohns]

About 3 years ago 14060 bracelets stickers still on with FULL papers and kit from a local AD for 4Gs ,,, hell yah !!! Real sorry to say I sold it and purchased a 114060...what mistake that was !!! Yes I bought into bigger is better,, NOT !

[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by tbonesteak

Let's just say you're perusing classifieds here, ebay, and other watch sources - you see a watch that you've had some interest in over the past, but not a must have... Everything checks out, the pictures, seller, etc.

You ever just make a low offer and buy it if the seller accepts? Knowing you should be able to get out at a breakeven/small loss (or profit) should you be unhappy.

Any stories of good purchases (or bad) are appreciated.

I only buy a watch if the price is right.

I do not go out and look for a particular watch. I go out and try to find a good deal.

Example: Ran across a 1st generation Heuer Monaco several years ago. It was not on my list of watches that I wanted, but at $1700 I thought it was a good deal. If you have paid attention to Heuers, they have taken off. Could probably flip for $10k now, if I wanted to.

I kept that one, but I do try and sell MOST of my watches.

[HogwldFLTR]

Yes if it was a watch I was interested in. My first 116000 was purchased as my first Rolex because if was practically new and at a great price. I'll add that because the price was too good I traded it thinking it was an inferior model. I later regretted that decision and repurchased one at a higher price. Sometimes if something is dear enough I tend to devalue it.

[HK Islandboy]

Originally Posted by tbonesteak

Let's just say you're perusing classifieds here, ebay, and other watch sources - you see a watch that you've had some interest in over the past, but not a must have... Everything checks out, the pictures, seller, etc.

You ever just make a low offer and buy it if the seller accepts? Knowing you should be able to get out at a breakeven/small loss (or profit) should you be unhappy.

Any stories of good purchases (or bad) are appreciated.

Yes. I saw a watch that I liked, but had convinced myself that I really didn’t need and that wasn’t moving. I put in an offer with full willingness to walk away...but over the coming days I went from “I’ll buy this watch if I get a very good price” to “I NEED this watch”. However, at this point financial rectitude went out the window

In the end it worked out well for all (other than my bank balance) - the original seller found someone locally to do a deal with, I found another seller and he and I managed to work out a deal, so both sellers happy and I got a very fair deal on a watch that I now recognise is absolutely awesome

[SpyShops718]

Last January I was on craigslist in NYC, from time to time I always look at Rolex's for sale. I found a gentleman selling a 2001 transition 16610 w/ the solid end links and he was asking $4,500. I sent him a offer of 3,800 and he told me he would consider it. I told him to meet me at a watch repair shop that I know in the city. The repair shop opened it up and saw it was serviced in 2008 and checked out ok. The watch came with the box but no papers, that does not matter to me anyways. The watch was in perfect condition and looked like it was never worn much. I don't carry $3800 just in case the seller plans to rob me. I gave him $150 and met him the next day. I immediately took it to 47th street to one of my jewelers that I know, he sold me a genuine LV insert for $140 installed. I did pretty well for $3,940 and also got to keep my flat four black insert.

[tbonesteak]

This forum is bad for my bank and good for my wrist. After reading the CL story, I'm instantly on there... Prob wouldn't even take a chance on anything there TBH, but I did come across an auction listing - anyone ever been? https://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/c...330654459.html

Prob it's own thread anyways