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.

[zama]

Surprised it is hard to buy, understand why it would be hard to sell, put your money up and most sellers should have little reason to sell to you...... I concur selling is much harder. Welcome to TRF by the way.

[Tony64]

I agree that post count alone can be an unreliable indicator.

My suggestion, if you want to use CC, is to buy new from an AD. Ocassionally a seller will take PayPal but it puts all the risk on the seller. Consider buying from one of the established "trusted sellers" and wire transfer will be safe.

[Tony64]

Originally Posted by zama

Surprised it is hard to buy, understand why it would be hard to sell, put your money up and most sellers should have little reason to sell to you...... I concur selling is much harder. Welcome to TRF by the way.

Because he only wants to use PayPal. No protection for the seller.

[mfer]

If you buy from one of the majors you need not worry about trust from them. Thanh, David, Tony, etc have exemplary customer service. If you wire them money you will get your watch. You'll have to pay your import taxes being in Australia.

[PJ S]

^
Paypal can still be used via a CC, only the option Friends & Family needs to be selected.
This gets around Paypal’s protection that the seller would be concerned about, but should still let the buy avail of his CC’s extra benefits.

[Tony64]

Originally Posted by PJ S

^
Paypal can still be used via a CC, only the option Friends & Family needs to be selected.
This gets around Paypal’s protection that the seller would be concerned about, but should still let the buy avail of his CC’s extra benefits.

I'm not sure that CC points are the OP's only interest - I assumed he was looking for buyer protection as well.

F&F is an option, but provides no buyer protection and in that way is the same as wire. That issue aside, it's not exactly the most ethical way to make a purchase as it also deliberately and falsely circumvents the PayPal fee system. That's how PayPal makes money, right? I'd think that if a trusted seller started taking large and regular payments by this method, their account would get flagged. Best to play by the rules...

[Knappo 1307]

Being new to the forum, and insisting on using Paypal is your issue. You haven't, at least here, established any point of reference for the seller. If you have had past dealings with sellers on other forums, or a good history on eBay, and can prove they are viable references paypal may work. Unless you have any history, anywhere, a seller will tend to pass on paypal. Too many scams and bad stories regarding accepting paypal from a non-established buyer. Like someone has said earlier, if you want to use a CC your best bet would be a A.D.

[mfer]

You claim the issue is trust. Trust the majors and you'll be fine. If you can only buy a luxury watch with credit I don't think it is a good idea.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by PJ S

^
Paypal can still be used via a CC, only the option Friends & Family needs to be selected.
This gets around Paypal’s protection that the seller would be concerned about, but should still let the buy avail of his CC’s extra benefits.

This is commonly thrown around and is incorrect. If the buyer pays with friends and family and uses a credit card, he can STILL report to his credit card company for fraud, unauthorized transaction, gift sent by mistake, etc etc and they will 99% of the time reverse the transaction. What makes this actually even WORSE for a seller is that with friends and family they have ZERO paypal seller protection against these claims as it was a 'gift' to begin with and you're not losing anything if you didn't receive the payment anyways.

Just clearing this up as I know multiple people who have been burned this way. IT is NOT safe for sellers to accept friends and family if the purchaser uses their credit card. ONLY if they use their paypal balance.

[lapince]

Of course post count is important, when I hit the 50k mark intend to "sell" a 30-50k watch to one of you, that I will buy for 200 bucks

Like was said, get from the 3-5 really big trusted sellers here, I have a great one in France, but I see you are in Australia, so I guess import taxes are bad, I will tell you that if the watch is pricey, 10k or more, taking a one week vacation and getting the watch on that occasion is what I would do, if not then face to face, just get the watch certified at the AD, some fakes are really good, other than that don't know. Good luck and welcome

[Chewbacca]

I'm not surprised but kudos for the post. You've got 2 and just joined.

[AK797]

They are trusted and known, you are not, so bank transfer is the only way to go. Paypal and credit card is only for well known buyers, and having a high post count and contributing regularly makes that more likely.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by dmash

This is commonly thrown around and is incorrect. If the buyer pays with friends and family and uses a credit card, he can STILL report to his credit card company for fraud, unauthorized transaction, gift sent by mistake, etc etc and they will 99% of the time reverse the transaction. What makes this actually even WORSE for a seller is that with friends and family they have ZERO paypal seller protection against these claims as it was a 'gift' to begin with and you're not losing anything if you didn't receive the payment anyways.

Just clearing this up as I know multiple people who have been burned this way. IT is NOT safe for sellers to accept friends and family if the purchaser uses their credit card. ONLY if they use their paypal balance.

Good point. I would only use gift for small purchases, under £100.

[tamiya]

Originally Posted by Tony64

I'm not sure that CC points are the OP's only interest - I assumed he was looking for buyer protection as well.

F&F is an option, but provides no buyer protection and in that way is the same as wire. That issue aside, it's not exactly the most ethical way to make a purchase as it also deliberately and falsely circumvents the PayPal fee system. That's how PayPal makes money, right? I'd think that if a trusted seller started taking large and regular payments by this method, their account would get flagged. Best to play by the rules...

PP ain't stupid, F&F doesn't circumvent anything - Payer elects to pay the PP fee on top of the amt sent.

[tamiya]

Originally Posted by RolEdx

What do you all think?

Whereabouts in oz are you located?

There's fair number of local options if you're in big city.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by tamiya

PP ain't stupid, F&F doesn't circumvent anything - Payer elects to pay the PP fee on top of the amt sent.

Since when?

[tamiya]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Since when?

Since everytime I PP F&F? I use it on occasion for PPing ppl I know, if I want to send them exactly $XX and not hit them with PP fee I elect to pay the fee as surcharge at my end.

Could be some difference for recipient between private or biz a/Cs too.

[RedwoodDweller]

Originally Posted by tamiya

PP ain't stupid, F&F doesn't circumvent anything - Payer elects to pay the PP fee on top of the amt sent.

I send $$ monthly to my sister via PayPal friends & family and pay no fees. Just FYI.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by RedwoodDweller

I send $$ monthly to my sister via PayPal friends & family and pay no fees. Just FYI.

Funny it hasn't shown up yet

[RedwoodDweller]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Funny it hasn't shown up yet

[dmash]

Originally Posted by RedwoodDweller

I send $$ monthly to my sister via PayPal friends & family and pay no fees. Just FYI.

Funded with your bank account or PayPal balance, and not a credit card

[RedwoodDweller]

Originally Posted by dmash

Funded with your bank account or PayPal balance, and not a credit card

Ah, true.

[PJ S]

[Already answered above, no need for repetition.]

[denmanproject]

To benefit from the community requires participation, you're off to a good start

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Funny it hasn't shown up yet

Well you can gift 14k to anyone in the us in a tax year.

[CGarza9655]

You could always try a trusted online seller like Bobswatches.com. I happen to work there and could answer any questions you may have. Pretty sure we ship to Australia and can insure up to $50,000.

[keschete]

Be patient grasshopper! I've been here ten years and bought my first watch from the forum last year

[sjg22]

Longtime lurker (albeit more active on OmegaForums) - bought a watch here a month ago.

If you have references and are responsive, I haven't had an issue.

I would ask a seller what they need from you in order to feel comfortable.

[bobernet]

Originally Posted by RolEdx

So, here's the question to those who can remember when they first started - how did you find the patience?!

I didn't insist on PayPal, credit card, and international shipping all as a first transaction, with no history on the forum.

Your problem is the above combination, not that "it is actually really hard to buy a watch online."

It's actually very easy.