Bob's Watches

[bdex75]

Has anyone ever dealt with Bob's Watches? I am in the process of selling my wife's 79160 26mm Date to them based on the bid that I received via email. The bid was $1900. Would have been $2000 had I had the original warranty papers (on a K serial 2001 watch??). They had multiple pictures to base bid on.

The watch was more than accurately described to them and sent off yesterday. Today I get a call from them and they want to offer me $475 less than that. Their rationale is that it it missing one link, they say it should have 22 and there are 19 on the watch and 2 extras in the box. It needs a regulation and a light polish. I know all of that will likely cost close to $475 to do with a competent watchmaker. But don't you expect some recon cost when bidding a 15 year old watch??

BTW, this is complete, box, hang tag, books set. And the watch is in phenomenal shape with relatively no stretch in the jubilee. It was worn maybe 4 times a year and cleaned after about every wear. There is not a cleaner K serial around.

I know these 26mm don't bring a lot of $, I know the big watch trend had rendered them less desirable. But am I out of line to think that when you are giving someone a bid on a watch of that age you wouldn't assume that it is ready to sell immediately?? That you may have to do a little work to the watch to resell at $3000 like they do on their site??

I know I could try to sell here or Ebay or even my AD but these smaller watches are a hard sell these days and with all of the scammers out there, who knows. This just seemed easier. And had they come back a couple hundred back of their estimate I would be ok, but almost 25% back?????

Thanks for letting me vent.

I am probably going to work them up a little bit and let the watch fly. She just never wears it since she got her 31mm Tudor with the diamonds.

Here is the watch in question.


Thanks again
Brandon


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[swils8610]

I wouldn't accept that. Have them send it back to you.

[RolexPete]

Originally Posted by swils8610

i wouldn't accept that. Have them send it back to you.

+1

[MonBK]

A trick they play over and over again.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by swils8610

I wouldn't accept that. Have them send it back to you.

+2; sounds like a scam act to me.

[swils8610]

I'd be interested at $1900!

[Saoirse32]

Don't accept. Ask for it back. They will oblige


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[Aceldama]

Originally Posted by swils8610

I'd be interested at $1900!

+1: Post it here. That's a great price!

[Sidmind]

Bob is very rich from selling Rolex, he doesn't get that way from paying top dollar. :)

/Owners name is not really Bob, his real name is Paul, go figure.

[iazrollie]

I don't like them. They give low ball offers and then work you down even further once they have your watch.

[spd707]

I think they know that after sending your watch out you are not as likely to have them send it back so they try to hit you for less value. I almost sent a watch to them but I decided against it after talking to one of their reps on the phone.

Personally, I would get the watch back and sell it on the forums here or the bay.

[bdex75]

Originally Posted by swils8610

I'd be interested at $1900!

We can talk. Never intended this to get that result.

Now that I have confirmed my suspicions that this is a lowball number and apparently their MO I will ask for my watch back and move on.


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[GB-man]

Originally Posted by bdex75

We can talk. Never intended this to get that result.

Now that I have confirmed my suspicions that this is a lowball number and apparently their MO I will ask for my watch back and move on.


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Good idea. I know bobs watches has been around forever but I hear too many complaints about them to ever consider them.

[bdex75]

Thanks everyone. Lesson learned here. At least they pay the shipping. I am going to get it back tomorrow and move on.

This whole thing made me think about just hanging on to it for my 13 year old daughter some day. But who knows if she will ever like anything more than her swatch watches.


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[Gaijin]

Lame. Really lame Bob's watches. Shame on you. You'll never get a dime of my watch money. Send the man his watch back and play fair.

[Danny83]

I would just keep it or sell it here

[bdex75]

Thanks for all the replies and reassurance gentlemen. I just sent them an email asking them to send the watch back to me tomorrow. I was told by their salesperson that if the offer was $300 or more below the estimate provided that they paid the return shipping as well. We shall see. Hope it does not turn into one of those "they kept my watch" threads. I doubt it will as I did do my homework to make sure they were somewhat honest before I sent the watch to them. I took a lot of photos before it left so hopefully it returns in this condition and with all its accessories.



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[Ritch99]

Thats their MO, they rip people off and then jack the price up when they sell it. Don't get me wrong, I get it...thats how they make their living...but thats ridiculous.

They once were so gracious to offer me 3k for a 10,000 5512, I laughted and told them to pound sand. It sold on TRF for over 10k.

Most watch dalers are like that. They give next to nothing for a trade in and then end up making a great profit on not only your watch, but the watch they trade to you. It just boils down to greed.

[bdex75]

Originally Posted by Ritch99

Thats their MO, they rip people off and then jack the price up when they sell it. Don't get me wrong, I get it...thats how they make their living...but thats ridiculous.

They once were so gracious to offer me 3k for a 10,000 5512, I laughted and told them to pound sand. It sold on TRF for over 10k.

Most watch dalers are like that. They give next to nothing for a trade in and then end up making a great profit on not only your watch, but the watch they trade to you. It just boils down to greed.

That there is a royal screw. I too get it that everyone needs to make money and that they are no exception. And when they said $1900 I assumed that they would get it at that, spend a few bucks to get it perfect and re-sell at $3000 like the ones on their site for sale. In at about $2100-$2200, sell for $2900-$3000, that is a good margin, 40%. I was in management in the car business and retail management for years so I understand fully the buy at wholesale sell at retail concept but sheesh.

Bob's did say it was still running right about Rolex standards. Not sure if it was the +/-2 or the old standard but I will find out.


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[Sunny Arizona]

Originally Posted by MonBK

A trick they play over and over again.

Their typical MO.

[Investr]

They are SCUMBAGS!!!

[Al1969]

Seen them, never dealt with them, and don't plan to. Good luck OP.

[cwieb]

Their business model is built to prey on those who are not aware of what they have. Its a shame.

[mrricks]

They offered me $2600. for my vintage Submariner, (I didn't know about vintage then). I told them "never mind".
I think you'll do better here.

[jvmartin]

Absolutely no way a regulation, light polish, and stainless steel Jubilee link runs $475... not even half of that... keep in mind Bob's probably has a watchmaker on staff or at least a good relationship where they would be getting a wholesale service rate due to their volume. AT MOST, he should be spending $200 on all 3 issues. No reason why you should be on the hook for their reconditioning costs. You're selling your watch as is, afterall.

Also, any second hand dealer will tell you that it is almost the standard for a used watch to be missing links. I actually get a little excited when I get a watch that is fully linked. The light polish is something that should be expected on a used watch and something they should be doing anyway prior to selling. Same goes for the "regulation". All of these "costs" should be factored into their initial offer.

[bdex75]

Originally Posted by jvmartin

Absolutely no way a regulation, light polish, and stainless steel Jubilee link runs $475... not even half of that... keep in mind Bob's probably has a watchmaker on staff or at least a good relationship where they would be getting a wholesale service rate due to their volume. AT MOST, he should be spending $200 on all 3 issues. No reason why you should be on the hook for their reconditioning costs. You're selling your watch as is, afterall.

Also, any second hand dealer will tell you that it is almost the standard for a used watch to be missing links. I actually get a little excited when I get a watch that is fully linked. The light polish is something that should be expected on a used watch and something they should be doing anyway prior to selling. Same goes for the "regulation". All of these "costs" should be factored into their initial offer.

Thanks for confirming my thoughts now that I have had a bit to digest this. Now I know why people use them as a guide but no one in the know ever sells to them.


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[Arclight]

Scam artists

[drifter01]

I asked Bob's once about selling my 1964 1500. They offered me a whopping $500. I basically told them to take a hike.

[GGGMT]

"I'm shocked, shocked to find out there's gambling going on in here" – – Bob's has never been and never held themselves out to be a retail buyer. That's obvious from their website. I've had a great buy – side transaction from Bob's on a 1960s 1601 with box and papers.

[Knappo 1307]

As stated, this seems to be their MO. Thanks for informing us..