So, it is actually really hard to buy a watch online

[RolEdx]

First public post following a number of private messages... I've come to realise that it is near impossible to buy a watch from a (genuine) seller here or in other forums - because I'm new and have a post count of zero (well, 1 after I hit 'submit').

So, here's the question to those who can remember when they first started - how did you find the patience?! How did you manage to wait whilst those watches came and went?

I should clarify there's further complication to my situation. I live in Australia, which makes face-to-face meetings a little difficult given most sellers are located in ConUS. And I also want to pay with my credit card, either directly or via PayPal (because my credit card provides extended warranty, protection against accidental damage, loss, etc.).

The problem is 'trust' - and I've been wondering how one might be able to establish that without the need for a 'decent post count' (most posts I've come across are just chatter anyway - no offence - AND that can be easily done by someone who really wanted to scam sellers). I've already come across one such user (PM me if you wish to know who it is) - that user has hundreds of posts - but I was still able to pick up that he was a fraud.

How about, instead of relying on post counts and references, we started leveraging established social presence to verify buyer/seller's identities? E.g. Facebook, LinkedIn, eBay, etc.

What do you all think?

Cheers.