Should I have taken the risk?

[Watoo]

Hi all,

Long time reader. I'm in a quandary, I'm currently on holiday in th UK and by chance came upon a secondhand jewellers, which to be honest seemed more like a run of the mill pawn shop. In the window I saw a blue Tudor 76100 lollipop. I more or less ran into the shop and had a look. Stupidly I didn't take any pictures, but checked the serial with the database, which dated it to 1983, checked the dial with pictures from this forum on the guys iPad, checked the date wheel (silver). Checked the bezel, bi directional, no clicks but it looked like the insert was replaced as it looked practically new against the patina of the dial and lollipop hands. There were no papers and it looked a little beaten but I would say was in good condition.

Now, the guy in the shop didn't have the tools to open the case back, which I believed. He was asking £1,300 for it. I then spotted some minor damage right at the bottom of the inside of the crystal. I had a think about it, went back and offered him £900 cash in the absence of papers and the crystal issue. He rang his business partner who said yes but there were no come backs or guarantee. At that point, I bottled it and said my apologies and left. The big question, did I just blow a big find!? Everything looked perfect other than the bezel and no access to the caseback.

Would other members have taken the risk? Cheers!

[MonBK]

You made an offer and when accepted you bailed?

[Paladin]

Without a guarantee that it's all original Rolex /Tudor you did the right thing. You think these guys bought that watch on the come and did not bother to have it verified??? A pawn shop that doesn't not know what it is doing???

Better to be dollar smart than penny wise!

[jedly1]

no offence, but there is no shortage of very good fake tudor doing their rounds with traders in the uk (and elsewhere) that wouldn't have a real clue if they were real or not ...if you don't have the knowledge to both know it was right and know it wasa good deal ..then no you didn't mess - up you did the right thing walking away ....

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by jedly1

no offence, but there is no shortage of very good fake tudor doing their rounds with traders in the uk (and elsewhere) that wouldn't have a real clue if they were real or not ...if you don't have the knowledge to both know it was right and know it wasa good deal ..then no you didn't mess - up you did the right thing walking away ....

I agree but you don't first make an offer and when it's accepted you walk.

[Vincent65]

doesn't matter now anyway!

[Watoo]

Thanks guys, in my heart of hearts I think I made the right decision, I was just interested to know what other members would have done in that situation. In regards to the offer - I had every intention of sealing the deal, but the no comebacks made the quiet alarm bells that I was ignoring, suddenly sound a lot louder.
Cheers

[jedly1]

Originally Posted by MonBK

I agree but you don't first make an offer and when it's accepted you walk.

LOL..i know the theory, but in reality people do it all the time ..if you are a dealer (or even a regular seller) its not the end of the world.

[caryyee]

Originally Posted by Watoo

Thanks guys, in my heart of hearts I think I made the right decision, I was just interested to know what other members would have done in that situation. In regards to the offer - I had every intention of sealing the deal, but the no comebacks made the quiet alarm bells that I was ignoring, suddenly sound a lot louder.
Cheers

You could of then countered with 1000 quid with a full guarantee if 900 with no guarantee wasn't acceptable. I'm sure when he said no comeback, he would of meant no comeback if something goes wrong with it, rather than no comeback if it's not genuine. I don't think a trader can absolve himself of that condition.

[TimeToGo]

Welcome to the Forum!

As Jedly1 said, it happens all the time...

It does appear you are having second thoughts and may be returning, if you hear the right thing...

[Warnsboy]

Have you priced a set of 76100 Lollipop hands with blue dial and matching original lume?? Together they would be worth nearly your offer........I would be concerned at that price that one or both are likely re-lumed. Post a macro of the dial and hands before going there. Most pawnsters are well versed in values, given the condition of the piece.

[rmfnla]

Originally Posted by MonBK

I agree but you don't first make an offer and when it's accepted you walk.

Except it was accepted with "no returns" which is a new condition, and therefor subject to refusal.

[Blue Lantern]

If you didn't feel 100% comfortable, then you made the right decision walking away. I've missed out on good deals and felt lousy afterward--but I've felt even worse when I made a purchase I wasn't sure about.

[harry in montreal]

It's a good deal. But you need to be confident it's real. When you made the offer and he said no warranty, you did well to bail.

[harry in montreal]

MonBk, the dealers acceptance included a game changer. Dead deal IMO